Italians followed Giorgia Meloni’s advice and made history at the polls yesterday, securing her rightwing bloc a comfortable victory of more than 40 per cent of the total vote. While waiting for the final result, which will define the balance of power within the ruling coalition, we’ll look at how Meloni’s relationship with the EU is shaping up in comparison with that of her predecessor, Mario Draghi.
Archiv: elections
Orban, Le Pen congratulate Meloni on election win
„Congratulations, a deserved victory,“ said Orbán on Facebook under a photo of the two leaders together.
National Rally leader Le Pen also hailed Meloni’s „historic“ victory at the head of a centre-right coalition featuring League leader Matteo Salvini and Forza Italia (FI) chief Silvio Berlusconi.
Election: Centre right set for victory – projections
The centre-right coalition is set to win Sunday’s general election in Italy, with Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni looking poised to become Italy’s first woman premier thanks to the strong showing of her rightwing group, according to projections.
Election: turnout lowest ever at under 64%
That is the lowest ever turnout for a general election in Italy and around nine points lower than the 73.01% turnout for the 2018 general election.
Italy’s Election Is Dominated by Postfascists — but the Left Is Raising Its Head
In this carousel of Italian politics, the Left has remained out of the picture for too long. It has not been in parliament since 2008, with the exception of small lists in alliance with the Partito Democratico or MPs who quit other parties. It has thus been fourteen years since an independent left has had its own parliamentary representation in Italy. It is an even greater tragedy if we remember that Italy once had the largest Communist Party in Western Europe and a Left whose presence extended from social movements and trade unions to the world of culture.
This time, however, something has moved. With the launch of Unione Popolare, the Italian left is trying to reorganize itself to return to the political scene.
Veni, vidi, veto: Giorgia Meloni’s march on Brussels
More than useless, Brussels had been hostile, she added: “We are facing the most powerful and violent attack against governments of sovereign nations opposing the dictatorship of politically correct ideology.” As examples, she cited the EU’s attempts to punish Poland and Hungary for democratic backsliding and efforts “to humiliate the British people who have freely chosen Brexit.”
Salvini, Berlusconi cross swords with Brussels
Meloni, who is poised to become Italy’s first woman premier and the most rightwing since the Second World War, has often praised the policies of Orban and her Polish allies.
Von der Leyen said Thursday that if the general election ushers in an autocratic, nationalist and Euroskeptic shift then „we have the instruments, as in the cases of Poland and Hungary.“ However, she added that „we are ready to work with any democratic government that is disposed to work with us“.
Salvini branded her statement as squalid and arrogant meddling in Italian domestic politics.
Italian Far-right Leader Shared Values with Likud
(12.08.2022)
Italy’s far-right leader Giorgia Meloni called on Wednesday Fascism “history” and highlighting her party’s links to Israel’s Likud and conservative factions. In her video, Meloni emphasized her party’s “shared values and experience” with Israel’s Likud party, US Republicans and British Conservatives. The “Italian conservatives” she leads are “a bastion of freedom and defense of Western values,” she said, highlighting her “Christian and family values.”
No final Swedish election result until Wednesday: right wing opposition takes lead
The result is only final once all the 6,578 districts have completed their counts. At the top of the graph you can see how many counts are completed.
Party abbreviations:
S – Social Democrats
MP – Green Party
V – Left Party
C – Centre Party
SD – Sweden Democrats
M – Moderates
KD – Christian Democrats
L – Liberals
Italian Far-right Leader Shared Values with Likud
(12.08.2022)
Italy’s far-right leader Giorgia Meloni called on Wednesday Fascism “history” and highlighting her party’s links to Israel’s Likud and conservative factions. In her video, Meloni emphasized her party’s “shared values and experience” with Israel’s Likud party, US Republicans and British Conservatives. The “Italian conservatives” she leads are “a bastion of freedom and defense of Western values,” she said, highlighting her “Christian and family values.”
Draghi quits, Italy set for early elections
„Sometimes even the hearts of central bankers get used,“ he quipped, referring to a recent joke he made about a transplant recipient preferring the heart of a central banker to that of another donor because it had ’never been used‘.
„Thank you for all the work done in this period“.
‘Anyone but Boris’ majority could doom the Tories to electoral oblivion
Nightmare scenario of tactical voting could put several Cabinet ministers’ majorities at risk, including the Prime Minister’s
The country would be better off’: senior Tories urge Boris Johnson to quit
Ex-leader Michael Howard among Conservatives to call for resignation after byelection catastrophes
If you’re confused as to who WON… no one? Macron far, far lower than he thought 7 weeks ago, & failed at majority. Left far higher than it cd have imagined then, & will be 2nd force, but won’t govern & came to expect more. Conservatives drop, but will be key bloc for Macron
Libérez vous de vos préjugés, de la cupidité, du mépris. Libérez vous, pour libérer la société ! Si vous commencez à voir dans chaque visage humain, non pas ce qui est différent de vous, mais ce qui est semblable, vous deviendrez cet être inouï : l’Humanité. J’ai confiance.
Toutes les possibilités sont entre vos mains. Le grand jaillissement de l’Histoire, de la France des rébellions et révolutions, a un visage. Celui de la #NUPES. Pas un instant, nous ne renonçons à l’ambition de gouverner et d’amener le pays à un autre horizon.
Live: French polling stations open for high-stakes legislative vote
Justine Benin defeated in Guadeloupe in an early blow to Emmanuel Macron’s centre-right Ensemble! („Together!“) coalition
In France’s Caribbean island of Guadeloupe — where the poll is held a day early — Justine Benin was defeated by NUPES candidate Christian Baptiste Saturday, a loss that jeopardises her role in the government as Secretary of State for Sea.
A government reshuffle is expected after the election.
France, Guadeloupe (parliamentary run-off elections) 3/4 seats were won by candidates who expressed their closeness to NUPES. The fourth was by an independent who has not yet told his choice. Minister Justine Benin has lost her seat and will either resign or be dismissed.
#legislatives2022 Sur les 4 circos en Guadeloupe, 3 pour #NUPES 1 pour le Modem.
La ministre Justine Benin a perdu dans sa circonscription et devra quitter le gouvernement ✌🏼.
Εn Martinique #NUPES remporte les 4 circonscriptions et en Guyane #NUPES 1 sur 2. Une belle soirée
Something Extraordinary Is Happening in France
In a country as complex, large and diverse as theirs, a political system designed to concentrate authority in the hands of a single head of state maybe isn’t the best way of reflecting popular will. And perhaps, after 64 years, it’s time to try something new.
Déferlez dimanche prochain pour rejeter les projets funestes de M. #Macron. Déferlez avec vos bulletins de vote pour mettre fin à 30 ans de néolibéralisme. #NUPES #Legislatives2022 #VcommeVictoire
French EU minister: Mélenchon’s real objective is ‘to crush the left’
Beaune believes that Mélenchon’s real intention is not to become a prime minister – as he has declared – in the next legislative election but to “crush the left and kill the Socialist Party and the Greens for the benefit of Jean-Luc Mélenchon alone”.
Législatives : la NUPES devient la première force politique du pays
Le 1er tour des élections législatives acte un bouleversement de notre vie politique. À 26%, la NUPES est désormais la première force politique du pays. L’alliance historique de la gauche, composée de LFI, du PS, du PCF, de EELV et de Génération.s laisse derrière elle le bloc libéral et le bloc d’extrême-droite. La NUPES est présente au second tour dans plus de 500 circonscriptions.
As France returns to the polls, can Mélenchon’s left deprive Macron of a majority?
“Jean-Luc Mélenchon pulled off an extraordinary PR coup,” said Pascal Perrineau, a professor of political science at Sciences-Po Paris. “Asking the French to elect him prime minister might sound absurd, but it was an extremely shrewd strategy. It allowed him to both supplant Le Pen as Macron’s chief opponent and cast himself as the pillar of a revamped left.”
The PR stunt was soon followed by another tour de force, which even critics have hailed as a masterstroke. In the days following Macron’s re-election, Mélenchon and his team engineered what many had come to see as an impossible feat: a broad alliance of France’s deeply fractured left, united around a common policy platform and fielding a single candidate in each of France’s 577 constituencies.
PM: Seeking NATO membership is historic shift for Sweden
With general elections just a few months away, the government could change between now and when the process is complete. Ulf Kristersson, leader of the conservative Moderates, said, „NATO is above party politics.“
Local elections 2022: Critics turn on Boris Johnson as Tories lose almost 500 council seats
Tory MPs are assessing the fall-out after a „tough night“ for Boris Johnson in his first test at the ballot box since being fined for breaking lockdown rules.
The Conservatives lost nearly 500 seats in England, Wales, and Scotland in Thursday’s council elections, with partygate and the cost of living crisis cited by local leaders as key issues on the doorstep.
Northern Ireland election results: Sinn Fein becomes largest party at Stormont with 27 seats – as it happened
Sinn Fein has become the largest party in Northern Ireland after winning 27 seats at the Assembly election – the first nationalist party to ever do so.
Until today, a unionist party had always been the largest party in the Assembly since the formation of Northern Ireland in 1921
Boris Johnson’s ‘partygate’ fine will see him punished at the ballot box
According to a snap poll by YouGov, 57 per cent of British adults think Mr Johnson should resign for breaching the Covid rules. The same proportion also now want his Treasury protege to follow suit.
The Chancellor will be especially disheartened to discover that while 25 per cent of Tory voters want rid of Mr Johnson, the figure rises to 30 per cent when it comes to his own future in the party.
Le Pen doesn’t stand a chance… as per usual French election practice, on the second round all parties will stand together to oppose Le Pen. As such it’s easy to say Macron has already won…
well he controls the media and is backed by the big shots (WEF)
Macron faces a tough fight as France votes on Sunday
Opinion polls still see Macron leading the first round and winning a runoff against Le Pen on April 24, but several surveys now say this is within the margin of error.
Republican Jack Ciattarelli refuses to concede New Jersey gubernatorial race
„The governor’s victory speech last night was premature,“ Ciattarelli said in a video message on Twitter Thursday. „No one should be declaring victory or conceding the election until every legal vote is counted.“
Murphy’s declaration of victory comes as less than one percentage point separates the two candidates in a nail-biter race, a result many analysts did not expect in what is typically a reliably blue state.
What the hell just happened in New Jersey? How the 2021 election redefined crazy.
The governor’s race showed Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli separated by a razor-thin margin in spite of all those polls that projected a Murphy victory. (The Associated Press declared Murphy the winner Wednesday by a less-than-1-percentage-point margin, nearly 24 hours after the polls closed.)
Republicans were also poised to flip a few seats in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature, and in a shocker, they’re on the verge of booting out state Senate President Stephen Sweeney with a candidate with no political experience. But numerous races remain too close to call.
Trust the Science? CDC Counts People Who Died Within 14 Days of Jab as “Unvaccinated”
(25.08.2021)
Citing the Los Angeles County Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released on Tuesday, even local news promoted the claim that “Unvaccinated L.A. County residents [are] 5 times more likely to get COVID, 29 times more likely to be hospitalized.”
Looking at a screenshot of the CDC release, one can observe the definitions for what they consider “fully vaccinated,” “partially vaccinated,” or “unvaccinated.”
According to the chart, “unvaccinated <14 (less than 14) days receipt of the first dose of a 2-dose series or 1 dose of the single-dose vaccine or if no vaccination registry data were available.”
Live: Republican Glenn Youngkin holds election night party in Virginia governor race
With roughly 60 per cent of the votes tallied, elections analysts are predicting the republican winning the race, a serious blow for the Democratic administration of Joe Biden.
Youngkin defeats McAuliffe in race for Virginia governor
McAuliffe also nationalized the race, campaigning with President Biden, Vice President Harris, former President Obama, and other top Democrats in an unsuccessful attempt to boost his fortunes.
„Alrighty Virginia, we won this thing,“ Youngkin told supporters in his victory speech a little after 1 AM Wednesday.
Youngkin Releases Closing Campaign Ad: ‘Our Moment’
“On November 2, a new day begins in Virginia”
One number that should worry every Democrat in Virginia
Overall, 46% of likely voters approve of the job Joe Biden is doing as President, while 53% disapprove. Which isn’t terrible — although both Biden and McAuliffe would prefer if those numbers were reversed.
The problem becomes more apparent when you look at those who „strongly“ approve of Biden’s performance in office and, conversely, those who „strongly“ disapprove of how he’s done.
Biden’s strong approval number is 21%. His strong disapproval number? 44%.
Dominion Energy donated $200K to an anti-Youngkin group. Now, CEO says company wants the money back.
(Oct 19, 2021)
Youngkin’s campaign issued a statement Saturday attacking Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe and Dominion.
McAuliffe’s campaign declined to answer questions, including whether McAuliffe was aware of the PAC’s involvement.
Virginia Energy Giant Funds Fraudulent Attacks On Youngkin From The Right
(October 19, 2021)
The amount represents the company’s largest donation to any statewide political committee in Virginia this year — despite Youngkin opponent Terry McAuliffe having sworn that he would not take contributions from Dominion.
In its bid to weaken Youngkin’s support among conservative voters in the commonwealth, the Accountability Virginia PAC has been running social media ads questioning the Republican candidate’s record on gun rights.
Virginia energy giant quietly boosts McAuliffe
(Oct 16, 2021 )
Virginia Democrat Terry McAuliffe has sworn off money from the Richmond company Dominion Energy. But the utility has found more subtle ways to back McAuliffe’s gubernatorial bid, records show.
Driving the news: Dominion’s political action committee has donated $200,000 to a murky political group called Accountability Virginia PAC, a group with ties to prominent Democrats that’s been running ads attacking Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin from the right.
Democratic PAC Poses as Right-Wing Group to Turn Rural Virginians against Youngkin
(September 28, 2021)
In the tightening race to become Virginia’s next governor, Democrats are resorting to attacking Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin from the right in an effort to depress GOP turnout in rural parts of the state.
From behind the veil of the nondescript “Accountability Virginia PAC,” Democratic operatives are haranguing Youngkin for not having been endorsed by the National Rifle Association in ads popping up on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook among other mediums.
Dems‘ sneaky sabotage
(Sep 28, 2021)
The intrigue: While clearly designed to hit Youngkin from the right, all indications point to Democrats behind the PAC.
Accountability Virginia’s online donation page is hosted by the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. Its bank account is at Amalgamated Bank, a labor union-owned financial institution popular with Democratic political groups.
The PAC was incorporated in Virginia by compliance consultants at the MBA Consulting Group, which works uniformly with Democrats.
Early voting in Virginia — another potential warning sign for Democrats?
As of Wednesday, 497,000 Virginians have cast their ballot, with 323,000 doing so in-person and 174,000 by mail according to L2, a national voter roll vendor. Another 183,000 early ballots have been sent out but not yet returned.
By contrast, on Oct. 22, 2020, 12 days before the presidential election, more than 1.5 million Virginians had already voted, and another 1.1 million ballots were outstanding. While this nearly 70 percent drop in early voting may seem large, it is expected.
Barack Obama stumps for Terry McAuliffe as tight Va. governor’s race worries Democrats
Obama exhorted voters on behalf of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, who is now in a tighter-than-expected gubernatorial race in which Black voters in particular could make the difference.
But the former president plans to echo his plea in 2022 as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress and statehouses nationwide.
VIDEO: 7 Times McAuliffe Confirmed He Thinks Parents Should Have No Say in Their Child’s Education
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Political outsider, successful business leader, and Republican nominee for governor Glenn Youngkin’s campaign spokeswoman Macaulay Porter released the following statement regarding Terry McAuliffe’s new TV ad in which he laughably claims his comments about parents and schools are being taken “out of context.”
“Two weeks before Election Day, Terry McAuliffe is struggling to save his campaign,” said Porter. “After 3 weeks of confirming more than half a dozen times that he meant exactly what he said in the debate, McAuliffe has been ordered by panicked DC Democrats to stop spouting anti-parent screeds. But it’s too late – Terry showed us his heart. This is what he believes. His attempt to fool Virginians is pathetic, and parents know the truth because the videos don’t lie. Terry will have to answer for that in two weeks on Election Day.”
Virginia is for worriers: Governor race poses real risk to Dem agenda
(16.10.2021)
Losing ground in a Virginia gubernatorial campaign once seen as a near-lock for Democrats, McAuliffe has sought to nationalize the race — calling out congressional inaction and President Joe Biden’s waning popularity as he tries to mount a return to an office he held four years ago. If McAuliffe loses, it could put a chill on Democrats’ agenda and prompt hand-wringing over whether the party failed to boost him enough in a difficult race against Republican Glenn Youngkin.
The Virginia governor’s race: A first major test for Democrats in the Biden era
(October 19, 2021)
Virginia’s gubernatorial race is tightening as Election Day nears. Democrat Terry McAuliffe remains the narrow favorite, but a victory by Republican Glenn Youngkin would be felt nationwide, and could spell trouble for President Biden’s agenda ahead of next year’s midterms.
Glenn Releases Statement on Northam-McAuliffe Mask Mandate for Kids
August 12, 2021
FALLS CHURCH, VA- Today, political outsider, successful business leader, and Republican nominee for governor Glenn Youngkin issued the following statement on the Virginia Department of Health’s statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools:
„With today’s student mask mandate announcement, Ralph Northam, Terry McAuliffe and Richmond liberals have made clear that they will stop at nothing to impose their will and take away parents‘ ability to decide what’s best for our kids. Make no mistake about it, this mask mandate is the first step towards returning to a full shutdown of our economy.
„We must respect parents’ right to decide what is best for their own children. If parents, teachers, and children want to wear a mask, they absolutely should do that, but there should not be a statewide school mask mandate.“
In addition to his opposition to statewide school mask mandates, Youngkin has repeatedly expressed his objection to vaccine passports and vaccine mandates
@GlennYoungkin says, if elected, he would ask the AG to challenge President Biden’s sweeping vaccine mandates and “defend Virginians.” Asked if there is any scenario where he would support a requirement, he says it’s a matter of personal choice. #VAGov
(08.10.2021)
Why has the CDC stopped collecting data on breakthrough Covid cases?
(06.08.2021)
The CDC used to be more thorough in its surveillance of breakthrough cases. It tracked them all between 1 January and 30 April of this year, counting 10,262 in that time frame. But on 1 May, the agency changed its strategy to investigate only breakthrough cases that led to hospitalization or death.
Trust the Science? CDC Counts People Who Died Within 14 Days of Jab as “Unvaccinated”
(25.08.2021)
Citing the Los Angeles County Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released on Tuesday, even local news promoted the claim that “Unvaccinated L.A. County residents [are] 5 times more likely to get COVID, 29 times more likely to be hospitalized.”
Looking at a screenshot of the CDC release, one can observe the definitions for what they consider “fully vaccinated,” “partially vaccinated,” or “unvaccinated.”
According to the chart, “unvaccinated <14 (less than 14) days receipt of the first dose of a 2-dose series or 1 dose of the single-dose vaccine or if no vaccination registry data were available.”
Virginia Gubernatorial Candidates Spar on Vaccine Mandates, Education
When an educator asked if that meant requiring vaccines for school children, McAuliffe did not hesitate.
“If the CDC says these vaccinations are safe for our children than I want everybody to be vaccinated,”he said.
CBS News poll: Vaccine and economy fights driving tight Virginia governor’s race
On issues, this race is shaping up to be about approaches to coronavirus versus the economy. McAuliffe has the advantage on COVID-related issues, like mask and vaccine mandates. Most voters statewide support vaccine mandates for Virginia businesses, putting them at odds with Youngkin’s position.
Georgia holds vote after ex-president Saakashvili’s arrest
Georgians were voting Saturday in municipal elections, a day after ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili’s arrest raised the stakes in the polls seen as a key test for the increasingly unpopular ruling party.
Japan’s ruling LDP to hold presidential election
As the LDP-led coalition constitutes a majority in both chambers of the parliament, the new party president is almost certain to be elected prime minister in the extraordinary Diet session scheduled to be held on Oct. 4.
US security adviser in Egypt for talks on Libya
US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser met Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday for talks aimed at ensuring Libya’s December elections go ahead as planned, Sisi’s office said.
Libya’s Haftar says suspends military role, ahead of polls
„The international community expects Libyan officials in Tripoli and the rest of the country to work for presidential and legislative elections to take place as scheduled on December 24,“ German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said as he co-chaired a high-level meeting on Libya at the UN.
Trudeau’s Liberals Win Canada Election, But Miss The Majority In Parliament
Canadian voters have narrowly awarded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a third term in a snap parliamentary election, but he fell short of his goal of winning an outright majority for his Liberal Party.
BREAKING: Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is projected to hold onto his role as Canadian prime minister and form a second minority government.
Left-Wing Candidate Leads the Presidential Race in Chile
He was the only representative of his party that signed the Peace Agreement of November 15, 2019, which led to the plebiscite to change the constitution inherited from the military dictatorship.
3rd political group quits Oct. parliamentary elections in Iraq
Iraq is scheduled to hold early elections on Oct. 10, in response to the anti-government protests against corruption and lack of public services. The previous parliamentary elections in Iraq were held on May 12, 2018, and the next elections were originally scheduled to take place in 2022.
Honduras: Former Lawmaker Echeverria Shot to Death
Before her assassination, she was interested in running for Congress in the November elections.
Six Politicians To Compete In Chilean Presidential Primaries
On Sunday, Chile’s Approve Dignity leftist coalition and the Go Chile right-wing alliance will define their presidential candidates for the November 21 elections.
AU, UN seek to boost peace support operation in Somalia
Francisco Madeira, head of AMISOM said Atul Khare, UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support met with the AU mission’s leadership to discuss logistical and financial support to the mission, including modalities to support the upcoming electoral process in Somalia.
Algeria names finance min Ayman Benabderrahmane as prime minister
Algeria’s president has named Finance Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane as prime minister, asking him to form a new government as the country seeks to curb a deep socioeconomic crisis.
France regional elections: Estimations indicate far-right beaten in PACA region
Polling agency estimations indicate that mainstream candidates have delivered a stinging setback to France’s far right in regional elections on Sunday, thwarting its hopes of winning control of a region for the first time. The National Rally’s best chance of a first-time regional victory was in the southeastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Its candidate there, Thierry Mariani, was in a tight race with a mainstream conservative incumbent, Renaud Muselier.
Isaac Herzog Wins Israeli Presidential Election, Defeating Miriam Peretz
The son of Israel’s sixth president, former Labor Party leader Herzog will replace outgoing President Reuven Rivlin next month
Israeli Lawmakers to Vote for New President in Secret Ballot on Wednesday
Front-runner Isaac Herzog, chairman of the Jewish Agency and former head of the Labor Party, is also the son of a previous president, Chaim Herzog. He is expected to win backing from legislators of both the right and the left after he amassed the signatures of 27 MKs representing all the parties in the Knesset, except for the Arab ones.
Report: Jahangiri, Larijani disqualified from running in June 18 election
The report, titled “Council rejects those responsible for the status quo,” also included an image of Reformist candidate Mostafa Tajzadeh, but did not name him in the text.
Vienna talks: Significant progress made, key issues remain unresolved
Iranian lead delegate Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the issues that needed resolution were difficult. Araqchi said Iran is standing firm on its position that the US needs to fully lift all sanctions in a verifiable manner before Tehran can take action to come back to full compliance with the JCPOA.
Reports indicate that though the US has agreed to ease sanctions on various sectors like oil and gas, banking, shipping and insurance there are still differences on sanctioned individuals and entities including Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Recoleta, Chile: Daniel Jadue Sweeps the Municipal Election
Likewise, he emphasized that „the right-wing has had a disastrous result and effectively is far from keeping a third of the Constituent Assembly and that is a reason for pride for all the people of Chile.“
Peru: Leftist Candidate Keeps Lead Before Presidential Runoff
Castillo received 51.1 percent of the votes in a poll carried out by consulting company IPSOS. He also obtained 36.5 percent of voting intentions in a study released by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP) on Sunday.
Ethiopia postpones elections indefinitely over logistical issues
The head of Ethiopia’s election board said Saturday it would be impossible to hold a planned June 5 vote due to mounting logistical issues and postponed it without giving a new date.
„The vote will not happen on June 5 … we can’t tell you the date as the board has to examine the inputs it received from parties,“ said election board chairwoman Birutkan Mideksa.
Chileans Know Little About This Weekend’s Elections, Polls Say
Besides the traditional mayors and councilmen positions, voters will elect for the first time 16 governors and 155 members of the Constituent Convention.
The consulting firm IPSOS on Thursday revealed a recent study showing high levels of uncertainty and lack of information among Chile’s electorate as 57 percent of interviewees had no precisions over the subnational elections to take place on May 15 and 16.
Tories take Hartlepool in historic Red Wall by-election victory
Sir Keir’s critics point to the voting history of Dr Paul Williams, Labour’s candidate in Hartlepool, who voted to Remain in the EU referendum.
Hartlepool is one of the UK’s strongest Brexit-supporting constituencies, with 70 per cent voting to leave in 2016.
Labour crashes to humiliating byelection defeat in Hartlepool
Keir Starmer faces uncomfortable questions as party loses seat to Tories for the first time in 62 years
I can’t vote for any party that won’t trust us with freedom: With a heavy heart, TIM NEWARK says politicians‘ obsession with Covid lockdowns and zero carbon targets leaves him no choice
This is, I know, a shocking thing to say because democracy is a hard-won, valued right in our country, but I cannot bring myself to support any mainstream party in local elections on Thursday.
Why? Because all of them appear determined to reduce my freedoms, whether it’s the lingering restrictions of lockdown or new plans to change our very lifestyles thanks to zero carbon targets.
UN chief welcomes return to electoral agreement in Somalia
The “Special Law on Federal Elections” was adopted by the Lower House in April, allowing for the extension of term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed for a period of two years, after the term officially ended in February.
Somalia’s parliament unanimously votes to cancel presidential extension
Somali lawmakers voted unanimously on Saturday to cancel a two-year presidential term extension they had approved last month, after clashes in the capital Mogadishu between factions of the security forces, which are divided over the issue.
Moldovan leader dissolves parliament, sets July elections
During his four years in power, Dodon promoted stronger relations with Moscow and had the backing of Russia, which is eager to preserve its influence in the country and has troops deployed in the breakaway region of Transnistria.
Speaker of the People’s Assembly announces opening of candidacy for Presidential elections starting from Monday
“The date of presidential elections will be on May 20, 2021 for Syrians resident abroad, while the elections will be set on May 26th for Syrians resident on the Syrian territory,” Speaker Sabbath said.
Peru’s Electoral Authority Declares Presidential Runoff June 6
Pedro Castillo, known for leading a Peruvian teachers‘ strike in 2017, was the first-place winner in the polls, while Keiko Fujimori, the eldest daughter of jailed former president Alberto Fujimori, and right-wing economist Hernando de Soto, continue to fight for the other runoff slot after polls closed at 7:00 p.m.
Local elections and referendum in Kyrgyzstan: Voting ends
As for the Constitution, 81 amendments are made to its current version. The draft is aimed at establishing a rigid vertical of presidential power.
Live: Ecuador Hits the Polls in Decisive Runoff Election
Candidates Guillermo Lasso, a 65-year-old elite banker, and Andres Arauz, a 36-year-old progressive former Central Bank official, have very different visions of how to lead Ecuador out of the pandemic and the current economic recession, but also on the role of international banking, regional integration, extractivism and more.
Benin votes in presidential polls after week of violent protests
Talon, a multi-millionaire cotton magnate who touts strong economic growth under his leadership, is accused by his opponents of undermining Benin’s standing as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.
Chad goes to polls with veteran ruler Deby poised for sixth term
Chad has been an oil producer since 2003, but it remains deeply poor. In 2018, 42 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. In 2020, Chad ranked 187th out of 189 countries on the UN’s Human Development Index.
Djibouti veteran ruler Guelleh wins election landslide
Djibouti is a strategically important country in the Horn of Africa that hosts several foreig militaries.
One protester killed in Benin days before polls: Health official
As a candidate in 2016, Talon had pledged to serve only one term in order to in to avoid “complacency”. His U-turn has led to protests, with hundreds of people marching and burning tyres on Tuesday in several cities.
Voting underway in Djibouti with president seen winning fifth term
Guelleh, 73, is one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders. He was picked to succeed his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, who led the country to independence from France in 1977.
Arauz planning to change Ecuador agreements if elected
The world’s top two cocaine producers are neighboring Colombia and Peru, with much of the output passing through Ecuador on its way to either Europe or the United States.
„We cannot forget that the US is the (main) consumer country of drugs in the region and on the planet,“ Arauz said.
Left-wing party opposed to big mining project wins Greenland election
The Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party won 37% of votes, compared to 26% in the last election four years ago, overtaking the ruling social democratic Siumut party which secured 29% of votes, according to official results.
Ecuador: Lasso Linked to Tens of Millions in Florida Properties
This revelation comes just over a week before the ballot in Ecuador between Lasso – a right-wing banker – and leftist candidate Andres Arauz, a protegé of former President Rafael Correa.
Chile’s Pinera proposes delaying elections due to surge in Covid-19 cases
The election — now set to be scheduled for May 15 and 16 — will choose the 155 members of the Constituent Assembly, who will rewrite the constitution, which dates from the rule of military dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).
Ecuador: Arauz Leads The Polls Ahead of Runoff Vote on April 11
The candidate of Union for Hope (UNES), Andres Arauz, leads the voting intention with 43.15 percent against 23.75 percent of Guillermo Lasso, candidate for the Creating Opportunities Movement (CREO-PSC), according to a study conducted by the pollster Perfiles de Opinión.
Congo Brazzaville’s Sassou Nguesso re-elected with more than 88% of vote, early results show
Sassou Nguesso, 77, has been in power for an accumulated 36 years, first taking the helm of the central African state in 1979. His landslide first-round victory, announced by the interior minister citing figures from the electoral commission, had been widely expected.
Israel Election Live: Vote Count to Be Delayed Due to Coronavirus Regulations
Panel chief expects all votes to be counted by tomorrow
Congo Republic voters cast ballots in presidential poll amid Internet blackout
The Congo Republic pressed ahead with a presidential election on Sunday with the Internet and social media sites down since midnight, the main opposition candidate gravely ill and all signs showing the incumbent, Denis Sassou Nguesso, likely to win yet another poll following a boycott by the main opposition.
Ecuador: First Presidential Debate To Take Place Tonight
Union for Hope (UNES) leftist presidential candidate Andres Arauz and right-wing Creating Opportunities (CREO) candidate Guillermo Lasso today will hold their first presidential debate of the April 11 runoff.
Netherlands: Police use water cannon as tensions rise at The Hague anti-govt. demo
A demonstrator could be seen screaming in pain as he was bitten by a police dog. Officers made several arrests and beat one attendee with truncheons.
Protesters defied repeated requests from the police to leave the field the maximum number of allowed participants under COVID restrictions was reached.
#Netherlands — About 2,000 people gathered in The Hague on Sunday to protest
About 2,000 people gathered in The Hague on Sunday to protest against the government and its tough coronavirus lockdown on the eve of the Netherlands’ general election.
Dutch police break up thousands of anti-lockdown protesters
Police in the Netherlands dispersed thousands of anti-lockdown protesters outside the Hague on Sunday, one day before national elections begin in the country.
The 2021 general election: what you need to know
The Netherlands goes to the polls to elect a new government on March 15, 16 and 17. Here’s a round-up of useful articles and resources, regularly updated.
UN urges Somalia elections, extends peacekeeping mission
Somalia missed a deadline to hold an election by February 8, when President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known by his nickname Farmajo, was due to step down, sparking a constitutional crisis in the already-fragile state.
Bazoum declared winner of Niger’s presidential election as clashes erupt
Niger’s ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum was declared on Tuesday the winner of its presidential election, while his opponent alleged fraud and opposition supporters burned tyres in the streets.
Biden’s Diplomacy Train Is Headed Straight for Iran, With No Stop in Israel
Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei hinted at the likely response when he said that Tehran “can confidently predict that diplomatic initiatives will work well [to achieve] the desired outcome,” adding that the “diplomatic back-and-forths” are “the natural prelude to the return of all sides to commitments including the lifting of all sanctions in the near future.” If his statements reflect Tehran’s official position, then Iran evidently doesn’t intent to await the results of its presidential election in June, but is willing to begin talks now to exploit the momentum Biden has created.
Voters head to polls to usher in Niger’s first democratic transition
Ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum is seen by many as the favourite after leading in the first round on Dec. 27 with 39.3% of the vote. He is up against former president Mahamane Ousmane, who scored 17%.
Ecuador Elections: Arauz and Lasso To Second Round, CNE Says
With 100 percent of the ballot records processed, the electoral body reported that the Union for Hope (UNES) Andres Arauz won with 32.72 percent of the votes while Lasso received 19.74 percent.
Ecuador Main Presidential Candidates Cast Votes: Live Updates
Former president Rafael Correa denounced via Twitter irregularities in Brussels. Eight delegates from Guillermo Lasso’s right-wing CREO movement observed voting, while representatives from other organizations were not allowed to access the polling station.
Somalia leaders fail to reach deal on elections
Emergency talks between Somalia’s divided political leaders have ended without agreement on how to proceed with elections, a government minister has announced just days before the president’s mandate expires.
Brexiteers almost lost everything — now they have almost won everything
It is hard to underestimate how close this country came to throwing away the 2016 referendum result. As deadline after deadline was missed, those who lost the referendum received more and more concessions. From European Court of Justice oversight to commitments to remain chained to the EU’s failed economic model – a virtual colony trapped within the Brussels regulatory orbit. On this side of the Channel, Brexiteers were confronted daily by the scheming of a thoroughly rotten Parliament abetted by a partisan speaker and activist legal establishment.
It is from this context that we must view today.
Gantz Says His Party Will Vote With the Opposition to Dissolve Parliament
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday his party will vote in favor of an opposition-backed bill to dissolve the Knesset, which would come for a preliminary vote on Wednesday, as he continued to butt heads with coalition partner Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu Calls on Gantz to Vote Against Dissolving Knesset
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his Likud party will vote against a bill put forth by the opposition to dissolve the Israeli parliament, effectively ending the current government. „We will vote against dissolving the Knesset tomorrow, and for unity, I call on Benny Gantz to do the same,“ he said during a visit to the police’s coronavirus enforcement headquarters.
Who Owns Our Voting Machines?
(November 2020)
These “black boxes” have required both election officials and the public to take on faith that the machines are programmed to capture voter intent, not subvert it. When researchers have attempted to examine the computer code, they have been threatened with lawsuits by the election vendors. (…)
These include machines that can be reprogrammed remotely or in person by surreptitiously (and easily) inserting fraudulent media cards or thumb drives, as researchers have shown over and over again.
Meanwhile, despite claims to the contrary by election vendors, it’s been demonstrated that ballot scanners in precincts in the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida use wireless modems that connect to the Internet. (…)
These vulnerabilities—and others—inject doubt into the public’s perception of election integrity. That doubt is compounded by the fact that the three major election vendors in the United States—Election Systems and Software, Hart InterCivic, and Dominion—are owned by private equity. Together, they account for about 80 percent of all election equipment used in the United States.
Voting machine company denies Trump claims about software issues
Dominion Voting Systems, a Denver-based company that supplies voting machines across the United States, on Thursday rejected President Trump’s claim that it had „deleted“ millions of votes in favor of the president.
Earlier in the day, the president said on Twitter that Dominion had struck a total of 2.7 million Trump votes from its machines, including 221,000 in Pennsylvania that he claims were instead tallied for now-President-elect Joe Biden.
Jordan goes to polls
4.6 million citizens eligible to vote in elections to 130-strong Lower House
Aung San Suu Kyi poised to win a second term as Myanmar votes
The country’s first civilian-led government in more than five decades has delivered on some reforms, including liberalization of the banking, insurance and education sectors and curbing inflation. But about a third of the population lives in poverty, businesses remain mired in red tape, and accusations of genocide against the country’s Muslim Rohingya population are still a concern for foreign investors.
The U.S. Inability To Count Votes is a National Disgrace. And Dangerous.
The richest and most powerful country on earth — whether due to ineptitude, choice or some combination of both — has no ability to perform the simple task of counting votes in a minimally efficient or confidence-inspiring manner. As a result, the credibility of the voting process is severely impaired, and any residual authority the U.S. claims to “spread” democracy to lucky recipients of its benevolence around the world is close to obliterated.
Who Owns Our Voting Machines?
These vulnerabilities—and others—inject doubt into the public’s perception of election integrity. That doubt is compounded by the fact that the three major election vendors in the United States—Election Systems and Software, Hart InterCivic, and Dominion—are owned by private equity. Together, they account for about 80 percent of all election equipment used in the United States. This leaves the public in the dark about who owns the voting machine companies, or how much money those owners make from elections.
At the very least, not knowing who is behind these companies—and if they have ties to either political party, donate to super PACs, or have a financial stake in the outcome of an election—undermines confidence in the proprietary software undergirding voting machines. The federal government, which does not participate in the administration of elections, could change this by requiring any election vendor paid with federal funds to disclose its full ownership and post its balance sheet. Until then, as Saltman warned, “situations may be created in which conflict of interest is a serious concern.”
Ruling party leads in tight election in Georgia-exit polls
But it was not clear if the governing party – founded by Georgia’s richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili – would secure the votes needed to form a single-party government.
Tanzania’s Magufuli seeks second presidential term as polls open amid fairness concerns
East Africa’s third-largest economy has recorded average growth of close to 7% over the last four years, according to official figures, as the government invested billions of dollars in infrastructure including a new railway, a hydropower dam and planes for the national airline.
Why Many Americans Don’t Vote
In the survey, we asked voters who have missed at least one national election — which included some people who almost always vote — why they didn’t cast a ballot. Nearly a quarter cited some of the structural barriers we mentioned above. But another 31 percent said that they decided not to vote because they disliked the candidates or they thought nothing would change as a result of the election (26 percent).
That sense that the candidates are too flawed to be worth voting for — or that the system is rigged, or can’t be fixed by voting — came up in many of our conversations with survey respondents.
Seychelles opposition candidate wins presidential election
Seychelles opposition candidate Wavel Ramkalawan from the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party (Seychelles Democratic Union) won the presidential election with 54.9 percent of total votes, said electoral commission chairman Danny Lucas on Sunday.
Provisional results show Alpha Conde re-elected president of Guinea
Conde, the candidate of the ruling party RPG (Rally of the Guinean People), won the electoral ballot with 59.49 percent against 33.5 percent for the candidate of opposition party UFDG (Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea), Cellou Dalein Diallo, who came in second position, according to the provisional results publicly announced by the president of the CENI.
Bolivia’s Social Movements Hold Massive Victory Celebration
It was called the „Grand cultural party for the recuperation of democracy“ and incldued the presence of all peoples and nationalities of the country.
Seychelles votes for president, lawmakers in election
Polling stations will open at 7:00am (0300 GMT) on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue — the three main islands of Seychelles, home to the majority of its 74,600 voters, with the rest living on further-flung territory of the Indian Ocean nation.
Egypt starts voting in first stage of parliament elections
Egyptians voted Saturday in a parliamentary election in which there was little doubt of a sweeping victory for supporters of hardline President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Bolivia’s TSE Declares Luis Arce the Elected President
Bolivia’s Electoral Supreme Court (TSE) declared Luis Arce, the elected president of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and David Choquehuanca as vice-president on Friday after the official vote counting showed that Arce’s party, the Movement Towards Socialism, reached a landslide victory of 55.10 percent of the votes.
Acting Kyrgyz president signs law to postpone parliamentary elections
The date of conducting parliamentary elections will be set after the constitutional reform in accordance with the law, but no later than June 1, 2021.
Acting Kyrgyz president signs law to postpone parliamentary elections
Acting President and Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov on Thursday signed a constitutional law to postpone the date of repeat parliamentary elections, his press service reported.
Polls close in peaceful Guinea election after tense campaign
Guinea’s election — the first in a string across West Africa — followed a tense campaign marked by insults traded between President Alpha Condé and his leading rival. .
Thousands rally in Ivory Coast to protest President Ouattara’s bid for third term
By early afternoon around 20,000 people had packed a 35,000 capacity stadium in Abidjan, chanting and dancing. Some held banners saying „The people say no to an illegal third term.”
PM ‘betraying his red wall voters’ over lockdown cash
Burnham told the Observer that by offering to pay only two-thirds of the wages of people hit by new closures – as opposed to the 80% which applied nationally under the original furlough scheme – ministers would be punishing people in the north in a way that was completely unacceptable.
Burnham said the Conservatives were betraying the people in so-called “red wall” seats who they had persuaded to vote Tory at the general election last December with pledges to “level up” the country.
Kyrgyz president says ready to step down when law and order restored
„At the same time, we need to sack the prime minister and members of his cabinet, who worked before the crisis, thus creating legitimate grounds for new appointments. In order to legitimize the appointment of the new prime minister and cabinet members, a parliamentary ruling and a presidential decree are necessary. I’m ready to sign relevant documents and I’m waiting for a Jogorku Kenesh ruling,“ the president said.
Kyrgyz protesters storm government headquarters, free ex-president in post-election clashes
Protesters seized Kyrgyzstan’s seat of government and freed a jailed former president on Tuesday after demonstrations against an election marred by vote-buying accusations spiralled into violent clashes with police.
US: Democrats, Rubio Ask EU to Not Observe Venezuela Elections
The U.S.-based peace organization CODEPINK condemned on Tuesday a bipartisan letter sent to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, requesting that the European body neither recognize nor send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela’s legislative elections this December 6.
President Maduro Rejects EU Request To Delay Elections
„If you want to see the truth, send a commission. You will be able to see the whole electoral campaign and the elections. You will be able to see the truth of Venezuela, something that the U.S. government does not allow you to,“ he said.
Puerto Rico governor asks Justice Department to reconsider stance on statehood plebiscite
Vázquez Garced said in her letter that the yes/no referendum on statehood, which will be included along with ballots in November’s general election, will go forward whether the funding is received or not.
Somali leaders urged to reach deal on credible electoral model
President Mohamed Farmaajo and leaders of the five regional states, as well as the governor of Banadir region, kicked off their meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday to discuss an inclusive model for the elections scheduled for December and February 2021.
President Maduro Invites UN, EU Observers to December Elections
The United States, expectedly, dismissed the pardon of opposition lawmakers as a „token“ measure. In contrast, Foreign Minister Arreaza, in his letter Wednesday, assures the UN and EU officials that their electoral observation and accompaniment will help „build consensus in the construction of a climate of peace, national reconciliation and the resolution of our difficulties through democratic, electoral and constitutional means.“
The CIA Democrats in the 2020 elections
This list, however tedious—and hideous—is instructive. It gives a picture of the social elements that comprise a significant fraction of the Democratic Party. These candidates, drawn from the military-intelligence apparatus, demonstrate the real nature of this organization, a political instrument of Wall Street and the imperialist state.
Netanyahu Has Become All-powerful Even Though Most Israelis No Longer Believe a Word He Says
Outside Netanyahu’s fanatic base, no one in his right mind believes Netanyahu anyway. A poll released on Sunday by Channel 13 revealed that 50 percent of the Israeli public assumes that Netanyahu’s top priority in running the country is to is avoid his upcoming criminal trial, currently slated to start in January. Only 18 percent believe that Netanyahu’s actions stem from love of country and another 14 percent cite ideological differences with the center-left.
At 11th Hour, Israeli Parliament Staves Off Election With 120-day Extension of Budget Deadline
Over the past few days, sources in both parties assessed that the chances that the rotation agreement, which would see Gantz replacing Netanyahu as prime minister, actually being fulfilled are not particularly high, and that the next elections are just a matter of time.
Secret ballot: United States
Elections in the United States are mostly held by secret ballot,[20] although some states use mail ballots instead, which violate requirements 3 and 4 of the „Australian ballot“, as it is distributed to the home, and potentially marked in the presence of other people. The states of Colorado, Oregon, and Washington conduct all elections by mailed ballots.[21] The Constitution for the state of West Virginia still allows voters to cast „open ballots“.
Trinidad and Tobago General Elections: PNM Wins
International observers declined to participate in the elections after authorities imposed a compulsory 14-day quarantine upon arriving in the country for possible observers due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Bolivia’s Coup-Born Regime to Deploy Troops to Quell Protests
The elections were supposed to be held on September 6, but Añez delayed them to October 18. The COB and other social movements are demanding that the election date be set to any day between September 6 and October 18.
Somalian PM Hassan Ali Khaire ousted following parliament vote
The vote also followed a dispute over the timing of a national election. Khaire, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and the heads of regional governments have been in talks this week to try to agree if it should go ahead in February 2021.
Ecuador: Rafael Correa’s Party Barred From Running in Elections
The legal representatives of the four political organizations suspended will have ten days to present their discharges.
Kinga Duda apeluje do Polaków. „Wszyscy jesteśmy równi“ | Wybory Prezydenckie 2020
inga Duda zaapelowała do Polaków po wczorajszym wiecu wyborczym Andrzeja Dudy: – Chciałabym zaapelować, by nikt w naszym kraju nie bał się wyjść z domu. Niezależnie od tego, jaki mamy kolor skóry, kogo popieramy i kogo kochamy. Wszyscy jesteśmy równi. Wszyscy jesteśmy równi, nikt nie zasługuje na to, by być obiektem nienawiści – powiedziała.
Poland’s ‘deeply private First Daughter’ stuns crowd with election speech
“However, regardless of who wins the election, I would like to appeal to you that nobody in our country should be afraid to leave the home.
“Because regardless of what we believe, what colour we have, what views we have, what candidate we support and who we love – we are all equal and we all deserve respect.
“Nobody deserves to be hated. Absolutely no one. Let’s respect each other.”
Psychologist: Public Manipulated, Crisis Headquarters Concealed the Truth
(25.06.2020)
„It is clear that we were manipulated, as well as that whether [the authorities] will tighten measures this weekend and relax measures or completely cancel them in the following month, has a lot to more to do with political interests“ than public health concerns, Trebjesanin told the latest issue of the Vreme magazine on June 25, commenting on the government’s tactics for fighting the virus.
He also said that „the experts were idealized, the famous phrase ‚that’s what the officials say‘ was used as a taboo, as if God himself had ordained it.“
Serbia Protests Meet Violent Response in Europe’s 1st Major Virus Unrest
He pressed ahead with a controversial general election on June 21 that most opposition parties had long planned to boycott, saying they did not want to legitimize a process that they feel is gamed in Mr. Vucic’s favor.
And to Mr. Vucic’s critics, his decision first to ease restrictions ahead of a vote that was certain to increase his power — and then reinstate them soon after — felt like he was playing politics with public health.
The protest while triggered by the new #COVID measures, are really caused by the increasing gov authoritarianism over the years. Most recently, COVID infection numbers have been manipulated in order to gain political advantage in the GE on June 21st. #Belgrade #Serbia
Vučić did „win“ overwhelming majority of 60.71% of the parliament, but that was only 21% of the popular vote, as the elections were laregely boycoted.
Justices Rule States Can Bind Presidential Electors‘ Votes
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that states can require presidential electors to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College.
The Top Five Rigged U.S. Presidential Elections
„There was a cemetery where the names on the tombstones were registered and voted. I remember a house. It was completely gutted. There was nobody there. But there were 56 votes for [John F.] Kennedy in that house.“
Mazo also found that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s charge that other counties were doing the same thing in favor of Republicans proved to be true—but nothing on the scale of what happened in Chicago.
Progressives riding high as votes tabulated in NY, Kentucky
Progressives are riding high after Tuesday’s primary elections in New York and Kentucky have some of the left’s rising stars in position to potentially pull off upsets against candidates backed by Washington Democrats.
OAS Must Retract Its Accusations on Electoral Fraud in Bolivia
The Puebla Group expressed concern over new evidence found in a study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Tulane, Rodriguez, Idrobo, and Kronick, found that the OAS report on the alleged fraud was „deficient,“ based on „incorrect data“ and „inappropriate statistical techniques.“
Ethiopia: Upper house of parliament elects new speaker
A majority of members of the House of Federation voted for Aden Farah, vice president of the Somali Regional State.
Ethiopian parliament allows PM Abiy to stay in office beyond term
The vote on Wednesday – 114 in favour, four against and one abstention – came two days after a leading opposition politician resigned as speaker in an apparent protest against the decision to delay the election.
Military at the polls in the election? Only as a last resort in this country
What is their role? What cybersecurity expertise does the National Guard have that cannot be provided by civilians? What kind of access is the National Guard given to voter registration and voting systems in order to assist states and the Homeland Security Department?
Mali holds election runoff, despite virus and jihadist threats
Voters in the West African nation of 19 million people are casting their ballots in the runoff for 147 seats in the National Assembly.
Democracy beats the coronavirus in South Korea as voters turn out in record numbers
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic puts civic life on hold in many countries around the world, South Koreans turned out in record numbers to vote in their country’s parliamentary elections Wednesday, setting aside fears of the coronavirus in a democratic show of force.
Unfazed by virus scare, S. Koreans hit polls as early voting begins
Early voting got underway Friday morning, as health authorities reported 27 additional cases confirmed nationwide the day before.
A total of 3,508 polling stations were set up across the country, running from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).
Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks governor’s effort to delay election
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday overturned Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) executive order to postpone Tuesday’s elections, sowing confusion and chaos around a critical election featuring a Democratic presidential primary and a pivotal state Supreme Court seat.
Why do you think Democrats are fighting so hard for Mail-In voting in November? Because there’s no way to verify someone’s identity RT if we should implement NATIONAL Voter ID before the November election!
Trump Opposes Mail-In Voting In November: „I Think A Lot Of People Cheat“
President Donald Trump said during Friday’s coronavirus task force press conference that he would oppose the idea of using mail-in ballots in the November 2020 election, saying it would allow people to „cheat.“ He also added that Voter ID is „the real deal.“
„I think a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting,“ Trump said. „I think people should vote with Voter ID. I think Voter ID is very important, and the reason they don’t want Voter ID is because they tend to cheat.“
Wisconsin Republicans say they will ask Supreme Court to block extended absentee voting
(04.04.2020)
The Wisconsin Republican Party has requested that the U.S. Supreme Court block extended absentee voting in the state’s presidential primary scheduled for Tuesday.
Many other states who were supposed to have primaries in April have rescheduled them for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Wisconsin is still slated to go through with its election as planned.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Sides With GOP Over Absentee Voting Guidance
(31.03.2020)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Republican Party of Wisconsin on Tuesday in a case related to Wisconsin’s upcoming election.
The party brought the case against Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell last week.
McDonell issued guidance last week that any Dane County voter confined by the COVID-19 pandemic could mark themselves as „indefinitely confined“ on their absentee ballot application. Doing so would allow them to bypass the state’s voter ID requirement in their application.
Mali Votes in Long-Delayed Parliamentary Election
The parliamentary election in the war-torn West African country, which should have taken place after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s 2018 reelection, has been postponed several times since then out of security concerns.
Bolivia: Electoral Tribunal Suspends Elections Due to COVID-19
In Bolivia, there are 20 confirmed cases with the COVID-19, which has led to taking actions of contention. However, the postponement of the elections returns the country to the political uncertainty that it went through a few months ago after the coup in Nov., one of the most traumatic events in its recent history with at least 35 deaths and hundreds of wounded killed by the police forces.
Half a million seats and a spoiler virus: A guide to France’s municipal elections
French voters head to the polls on March 15 and 22 to elect some 35,000 mayors and more than ten times as many councillors
Closing Rallies Ahead of Elections in Guyana
Guyana will go to the polls on Monday in a pivotal election in one of South America’s poorest nations, where a coming oil boom is set to reshape an ethnically-divided political landscape.
Exclusive: U.S. wants Afghan president to postpone planned inauguration -sources
The United States wants Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to defer his second-term inauguration over concerns it could inflame an election feud with his political rival and jeopardize U.S.-led peacemaking efforts, two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.
10 ways the Democratic primary has been rigged from the start
(30.03.2016)
It’s not over. Far from it. The economic and political establishment, which includes the Democratic National Committee, its Wall Street and corporate backers and the major media—most of it now owned by a half dozen big corporations—have worked feverishly to turn the Democratic primary process into a coronation for Hillary Clinton.
Inside Hillary Clinton’s Secret Takeover of the DNC
(02.11.2017)
When I was asked to run the Democratic Party after the Russians hacked our emails, I stumbled onto a shocking truth about the Clinton campaign.
German Voters Get First Chance to Weigh In on Political Chaos
Germany’s political establishment was rocked earlier this month after the CDU’s chapter in Thuringia cast its lot in with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany, or AfD, to install the eastern state’s premier. The fallout sent shockwaves across the nation and was the main catalyst for Kramp-Karrenbauer’s resignation.
To add to the sense of chaos, tensions around extremist activity in Germany intensified late Wednesday, when an assailant killed 11 people, including himself, in the city of Hanau near Frankfurt.
Varadkar resigns as Irish government enters stalemate
Varadkar submitted his resignation to Michael D Higgins, the president of Ireland, on Thursday night after a tempestuous but inconclusive sitting of Dáil Éireann, which met for the first time since the 8 February election. It adjourned until 5 March, giving party leaders three weeks to try to form a ruling coalition.
Weeklong parliamentary election campaign ends in Iran
Iranian people will go to the ballot boxes on Friday to elect the lawmakers for 290-seat parliament.
Dominican Local Elections Suspended Due to Technical Problems
Dominican Republic’s nationwide municipal elections were suspended on Sunday due to a glitch in the electronic voting system, Central Electoral Board (JCE) announced, adding that they will convene a new date promptly.
Centrists Are the Most Hostile to Democracy, Not Extremists
(23.05.2018)
Respondents who put themselves at the center of the political spectrum are the least supportive of democracy, according to several survey measures. These include views of democracy as the “best political system,” and a more general rating of democratic politics. In both, those in the center have the most critical views of democracy.
Some of the most striking data reflect respondents’ views of elections. Support for “free and fair” elections drops at the center for every single country in the sample. The size of the centrist gap is striking. In the case of the United States, fewer than half of people in the political center view elections as essential.
Bolivia proved developing without IMF possible: Morales
„Therefore, I recommend to the new generations: If you want to do politics, think about the truth and honesty and think about the country, the people and fundamentally the poorest,“ he said.
Italy’s center-left seen beating League in key regional vote: exit poll
An exit poll for state television RAI said the PD incumbent was seen taking between 47.0%-51.0% of the vote, while the rightist candidate looked on course to take 44.0%-48.0%.
U.S. to send ambassador to Bolivia for first time in over a decade
The United States intends to send an ambassador to Bolivia to help restore a “normal relationship” between the two countries, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said in a video statement posted online on Thursday.
Bolivia’s Movement to Socialism Party Forms Presidential Plan
The Movement to Socialism ( MAS ) is choosing this Sunday its presidential formula for the elections, which will be held in Bolivia on May 3, with the „firm commitment“ to remain united around single leadership, the democratically elected President Evo Morales said this weekend.
On Taiwan’s Election
The United States congratulates Dr. Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election in Taiwan’s presidential election.
U.S. applauds Tsai’s re-election as Taiwan president: Pompeo
“The United States thanks President Tsai for her leadership in developing a strong partnership with the United States and applauds her commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure,” Pompeo said.
Israelis Hailing Trump for Killing Soleimani Forget the Destructive Consequences of Past Assassinations
The killing of Ayyash enraged Palestinians and pushed Hamas to carry out four suicide bombings within eight days, in which 59 Israelis were killed. The shock and fear that gripped Israeli public opinion turned Peres from valiant hero to impotent loser paved the way for Benjamin Netanyahu’s sensational victory in the May 1996 elections – and changed Israel forever.
Somali government detains record number of journalists
Somalia’s Western-backed government forces beat and detained a record number of journalists last year, the journalists’ syndicate told Reuters on Friday, prompting suggestions the government is suppressing scrutiny of its security record ahead of elections due this year.
Uganda’s president begins jungle trek dismissed as campaign stunt by opponents
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday began a six-day march through the jungle to re-trace the route through which his guerrilla forces seized power three decades ago, which critics dismissed as a bid to rally support ahead of 2021 elections.
High Court’s Netanyahu verdict may pose danger to democracy
if I may, I would like to apply pressure on the judges from the other end of the spectrum. Not from the side of Netanyahu’s devotees, but from the side of those who are devoted to an impartial process, the rule of law and the continued peaceful existence of our democracy.
Please, do not involve yourself in this matter. Looking out at the world through the windows of the halls of justice can obscure the bigger picture sometimes. Caring only for your close compatriots and friends could be dangerous.
IECC begins sorting electoral complaints: Official
Officials from the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Friday said that the organization has started the sorting process of the electoral complaints that had been filed by the election campaigns.
The formal process of assessing the complaints will be started on Saturday, said the IECC commissioner Qubuddian Roydar.
Uzbekistan polls close: Observers criticise lack of choice
All five parties running are seen as loyal to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
I have experienced hard-won elections and tough losses, but it would never occur to me in a million years to rig an election by suppressing the vote. Officials who can’t win support from voters need to get out of politics and find another job.
OAS Conspiring to Oust Him from Gov’t: Dominica PM Tells teleSUR
The PM also pointed out that there were similar attempts by the ‘’foreign entities and interests’’ to do the same in the region, and more specifically, in Venezuela. Calling it the „same script“ the Dominican leader adds that the OAS’ mantra about ‚free and fair elections’ has become a formal justification for undercutting democracy and toppling non-conforming governments to make way for U.S.-backed political parties to take their seat at the governance table.
OAS Admits Absence of Final Report on Elections in Bolivia
In response to a request made by the Latin American Strategic Center for Geopolitics (Celag), the Organization of American States (OAS) acknowledges that its final report on Bolivia’s presidential elections is not ready yet.
Dominica Rejects OAS Interference in Elections in Washington DC
Dominica made clear on Friday that it will invite CARICOM, the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to observe the elections, but not the OAS, responding to the interference by the OAS General Secretary a few days before.
OAS Chief Interferes in Electoral Process in Dominica
According to new reports, the security forces set up barricades in Roseau as the prosters call for the implementation of electoral reforms, which were dictated by the Organization of American States at a meeting in August.
Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has since addressed the small Caribbean island nation to condemn the „intrusion of violence into the election campaign,“ pointing out that the protesters are not demonstrating because of electoral reform, as previously reported by the western media.
Why Aren’t Americans Rising Up Like We Are Seeing Across the Planet?
So we are subject to many of the same abuses that have fueled mass protest movements in other countries, including high rents, stagnant wages, cradle-to-grave debt, ever-rising economic inequality, privatized health care, a shredded social safety net, abysmal public transportation, systemic political corruption and endless war.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards Wins Re-Election
A rare Democratic governor in the Deep South fends off challenge from Trump-backed Republican
What Happened in Bolivia’s 2019 Vote Count?
This paper presents results from statistical analysis of election returns and tally sheets from Bolivia’s October 20 elections. This analysis finds no evidence that irregularities or fraud affected the official result that gave President Evo Morales a first-round victory.
Biden’s Support of Iraq War Shows How He Would Run the White House
Biden’s support for the invasion seems to demonstrate a belief that the United States need not abide by its international legal obligations, including those prohibiting wars of aggression. As a result, his support for the invasion of Iraq is not simply a “mistake.” It is very relevant and says a lot about what kind of president he would be.