The outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, appears headed for a comprehensive victory and fourth successive term in office as the Dutch go to the polls in national elections on Monday, with voting spread over three days due to coronavirus restrictions.
Polls predict Rutte, who has headed three coalition governments of different political complexions since 2010, and his centre-right People’s party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) will win twice as many parliamentary seats as his nearest rival
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/15/netherlands-election-mark-rutte-set-to-win-big-but-what-next
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Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections. Show all posts
November 15, 2020
The Netherlands: Dutch PM Rutte to seek fourth term
Liberal Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has confirmed he will seek a fourth term in office, wanting to continue steering the Netherlands through the coronavirus pandemic.
Dutch elections are set for March 17 next year.
Read more at: Dutch PM Rutte to seek fourth term | Macau Business
Dutch elections are set for March 17 next year.
Read more at: Dutch PM Rutte to seek fourth term | Macau Business
December 13, 2019
Britain: Election results 2019: Tories on course to win majority - exit poll
First results are coming in, with the Tories gaining a seat from Labour,
as the exit poll suggests Boris Johnson's party is on course for an
86-seat majority.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50765773
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50765773
October 30, 2019
Britain - elections: UK set for 12 December general election after MPs' vote
MPs give the green light for a pre-Christmas poll after months of deadlock over Brexit.
Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50229318
Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50229318
October 14, 2019
Poland: Poland's ruling PiS party wins most votes, according to exit polls
Poland's ruling PiS party wins most votes, according to exit polls
October 6, 2019
Portugal: Parliamentary elections 2019 - who are the main parties
Portugal parliamentary election 2019: Who are the main parties?
April 2, 2019
March 4, 2018
Italy: Elections: Why the Italian elections are no test for the European Union - by Cas Mudde
This Sunday, more than 30 million Italians will go to the polls to
elect a new legislature and, indirectly, a government. It will be the
first major European election of 2018, after a somewhat confusing and inconsistent pattern of elections in 2017, and the international media is sparing few cliches.
Almost no journalist can resist making references to Italy’s almost inherent “political instability”, referring to the many “political crises” and national elections and governments the country has had in recent history – even though Italy had one government more and held one election less than the (allegedly stable) Netherlands in the 21st century.
In the runup to the 2018 Italian elections, the international coverage is dominated by stories that present the usual Italian tropes in all possible combinations. As always, Italy is “on the brink” of political chaos or worse. Article after article covers topics such as mafia and immigration, the rise of fascism, the risk of political violence, or the threat of populism to Italian democracy and the European Union. Don’t get me wrong, many stories are factually correct, even if they often overstate the relevance of their topic.
Read more: Why the Italian elections are no test for the European Union | Cas Mudde | Opinion | The Guardian
Almost no journalist can resist making references to Italy’s almost inherent “political instability”, referring to the many “political crises” and national elections and governments the country has had in recent history – even though Italy had one government more and held one election less than the (allegedly stable) Netherlands in the 21st century.
In the runup to the 2018 Italian elections, the international coverage is dominated by stories that present the usual Italian tropes in all possible combinations. As always, Italy is “on the brink” of political chaos or worse. Article after article covers topics such as mafia and immigration, the rise of fascism, the risk of political violence, or the threat of populism to Italian democracy and the European Union. Don’t get me wrong, many stories are factually correct, even if they often overstate the relevance of their topic.
Read more: Why the Italian elections are no test for the European Union | Cas Mudde | Opinion | The Guardian
February 20, 2018
Italy - Elections: Italian scientists speak up in support of EU - by Ersilia Vaudo Scarpetta
As Italy's elections loom amid a hike in euroscepticism,
the country's scientific community is raising its voice - saying
Europe's a place where they can find opportunities.
At ESTEC, the European Space Agency's research and technology centre in the Netherlands, scientists of 22 different nationalities work together to design and test satellites. And one in five is Italian.
"In other countries researchers are better paid than in Italy, so they prefer to stay at home. While in Italy those who want to do research are often forced to look for opportunities abroad," said Franco Ongaro, ESTEC Director.
Europe's a hot topic in Italy's elections, with the campaigning divided between pro-EU parties and populist movements, who accuse the block of limiting national sovereignty.
"Alone we wouldn't be as successful as we are with the 22 countries together. If we can land on a comet 500 million kilometres away after a 10-year journey, it is thanks to the alchemy of these differences, coming together to pursue common objectives," commented Ersilia Vaudo Scarpetta, Chief Diversity Officer at the European Space Agency.
Read more: Italian scientists speak up in support of EU | Euronews
At ESTEC, the European Space Agency's research and technology centre in the Netherlands, scientists of 22 different nationalities work together to design and test satellites. And one in five is Italian.
"In other countries researchers are better paid than in Italy, so they prefer to stay at home. While in Italy those who want to do research are often forced to look for opportunities abroad," said Franco Ongaro, ESTEC Director.
Europe's a hot topic in Italy's elections, with the campaigning divided between pro-EU parties and populist movements, who accuse the block of limiting national sovereignty.
"Alone we wouldn't be as successful as we are with the 22 countries together. If we can land on a comet 500 million kilometres away after a 10-year journey, it is thanks to the alchemy of these differences, coming together to pursue common objectives," commented Ersilia Vaudo Scarpetta, Chief Diversity Officer at the European Space Agency.
Read more: Italian scientists speak up in support of EU | Euronews
January 29, 2018
Russia: Vladimir Putin's Top Critic Arrested as Russians Protest Election - by Damien Sharkov
 |
| Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin |
Anti-corruption blogger Alexey Navalny mobilized two waves of protests in dozens of cities last year, incensed at the reported wealth of government officials under Putin’s protection.
As Putin announced last month he is seeking re-election in March’s presidential vote, Navalny has repeatedly called for a boycott at the ballot boxes in a bid to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Putin’s campaign by lowering turnout.
While Navalny is regularly arrested at his rallies, police went a step further in the early afternoon on Sunday, forcing their way into Navalny’s office and detaining six members of his team in a raid, according to independent monitoring group OVD-Info.
Protests gripped not only Moscow but Russia’s second most important city, St. Petersburg, as well as cities in the country’s east.
“They are the future of Russia,” Navalny tweeted with a photo of two young protesters. “Putin and his band of thieves are her past.”
June 12, 2017
France election: Macron party set for big parliamentary win
The centrist party of French
President Emmanuel Macron looks on course to win a landslide victory
following the first round of parliamentary elections.
The final outcome will be decided at a run-off next Sunday.
Mr Macron's party was established just over a year ago and many candidates have little or no political experience.
Read more: France election: Macron party set for big parliamentary win - BBC News
October 31, 2015
Elections: Turkey’s Erdogan Should Listen to the Voters
Not
so long ago, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prime minister of Turkey from 2003
until 2014 and president since, was hailed as a model leader of an
emerging economy with an admirably moderate Islamist bent.
Read more: Turkey’s Erdogan Should Listen to the Voters - The New York Times
At the helm
of the Justice and Development Party (A.K.P.) he had created, Mr.
Erdogan oversaw an economic recovery and introduced democratic reforms
(part of an effort to win admission to the European Union), achieved a
truce with Kurdish nationalists and curbed the power of an ambitious
military.
Yet today, on the eve of a second national election
within five months, which Mr. Erdogan engineered after being battered
in the first, many of those achievements have been undermined, in no
small part because of Mr. Erdogan’s relentless drive to win and
consolidate power.
The
Turkish military is again bombing Kurdish separatists; opposition
parties have trouble holding rallies or getting airtime; rivals are
branded as terrorists; opposition media is intimidated or muzzled. The
economy, which grew an impressive 9.2 percent in 2010, is now expected
to grow by 3 percent this year, according to the International Monetary
Fund.
Read more: Turkey’s Erdogan Should Listen to the Voters - The New York Times
October 5, 2015
Spain: Catalans among the pigeons - 51.7% of Catalans voted “no” to independence
Catalonia's election proved a personal triumph for regional president Artur Mas, whose separatist Together for Yes
platform was a clear winner though it fell short of an absolute
majority in Barcelona‘s parliament.
Barring last minute warfare amongst the component parts of a platform that included his centre-right Catalan Democratic Convergence party, the left-wing Catalan Republican Left and a varied array of independent separatists, Mr Mas will continue to head the regional government of this wealthy corner of north-east Spain.
That was the easy part. Watched intently by other fervent separatist movements around Europe, Mr Mas now plans to follow the “roadmap” to independence that brought this disparate group together for the election—a poll that he billed as a plebiscite on separation from Spain. With the backing of the far-left Popular Unity Candidacy, the separatists have a comfortable parliamentary majority.
But Catalonia's unequal voting system, which favours less-populated rural areas, means this majority was won with fewer than 50% of votes. When looked at as a plebiscite, the result changes. In fact, 51.7% of Catalans voted “no” to independence.
That will make life tricky for Mr Mas as he bids for international support. The roadmap foresees negotiations with Madrid that could prevent a unilateral declaration of independence scheduled for Spring 2017. But Spain must conduct a general election before the end of the year. Only then will we know how Madrid plans to handle the situation
Read more: Daily chart: Catalans among the pigeons | The Economist
Barring last minute warfare amongst the component parts of a platform that included his centre-right Catalan Democratic Convergence party, the left-wing Catalan Republican Left and a varied array of independent separatists, Mr Mas will continue to head the regional government of this wealthy corner of north-east Spain.
That was the easy part. Watched intently by other fervent separatist movements around Europe, Mr Mas now plans to follow the “roadmap” to independence that brought this disparate group together for the election—a poll that he billed as a plebiscite on separation from Spain. With the backing of the far-left Popular Unity Candidacy, the separatists have a comfortable parliamentary majority.
But Catalonia's unequal voting system, which favours less-populated rural areas, means this majority was won with fewer than 50% of votes. When looked at as a plebiscite, the result changes. In fact, 51.7% of Catalans voted “no” to independence.
That will make life tricky for Mr Mas as he bids for international support. The roadmap foresees negotiations with Madrid that could prevent a unilateral declaration of independence scheduled for Spring 2017. But Spain must conduct a general election before the end of the year. Only then will we know how Madrid plans to handle the situation
Read more: Daily chart: Catalans among the pigeons | The Economist
September 21, 2015
Greek election live: Alexis Tsipras celebrates victory - as it happened
With most of the ballot papers counted, Syriza
is leading with a 35.5% share of the vote compared with 28.2% for the
centre-right New Democracy party. Speaking in Athens, Tsipras declared
the election a victory for the people. “This victory belongs to the
people and those who dream of a better tomorrow and we’ll achieve it
with hard work,” he said.
Jubilant supporters, clearly relieved at the result, took to the streets in celebration, with many singing and dancing outside Syriza’s main election marquee in central Athens.
Tsipras told supporters that he would tackle endemic corruption in the country. “The mandate that the Greek people have given is is a crystal clear mandate to get rid of the regime of corruption and vested issues,” he said. “We will show how effective we will be. We will make Greece a stronger place for the weak and vulnerable, a fairer place.”
Read more:Greek election live: Alexis Tsipras celebrates victory - as it happened | World news | The Guardian
Jubilant supporters, clearly relieved at the result, took to the streets in celebration, with many singing and dancing outside Syriza’s main election marquee in central Athens.
Tsipras told supporters that he would tackle endemic corruption in the country. “The mandate that the Greek people have given is is a crystal clear mandate to get rid of the regime of corruption and vested issues,” he said. “We will show how effective we will be. We will make Greece a stronger place for the weak and vulnerable, a fairer place.”
Read more:Greek election live: Alexis Tsipras celebrates victory - as it happened | World news | The Guardian
August 1, 2015
Turkey - Erdogan'sTurkish prosecuters launch investigation into leader of pro-Kurdish opposition
The leader of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party,
Selahattin Demirtas, is under investigation by a Turkish prosecutor over
allegations that he “provoked and armed” protesters during
demonstrations in the country last year.
Demirtas has accused Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan of launching air strikes in Syria and Iraq to prevent Kurdish territorial and political gains.
Demirtas said: “Erdogan is doing this to create a false perception among the general population. His main objective is not to disarm the PKK but instead make sure the People’s Democratic Party pays the price for PKK violence. He doesn’t care about peace,” he added. “Erdogan wants to take revenge out on the People’s Democratic Party for their results in the elections.”
The investigation comes as Ankara carries out air strikes against the PKK in Iraq, a move that has brought years of peace efforts close to collapse.
Read more: ErdoganTurkish prosecuters launch investigation into leader of pro-Kurdish opposition | euronews, world news
Demirtas has accused Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan of launching air strikes in Syria and Iraq to prevent Kurdish territorial and political gains.
Demirtas said: “Erdogan is doing this to create a false perception among the general population. His main objective is not to disarm the PKK but instead make sure the People’s Democratic Party pays the price for PKK violence. He doesn’t care about peace,” he added. “Erdogan wants to take revenge out on the People’s Democratic Party for their results in the elections.”
The investigation comes as Ankara carries out air strikes against the PKK in Iraq, a move that has brought years of peace efforts close to collapse.
Read more: ErdoganTurkish prosecuters launch investigation into leader of pro-Kurdish opposition | euronews, world news
June 9, 2015
Turkey's elections: A Turkish Obama ? - Selahattin Demirtaş: thumbing his nose at political convention in Turkey
 |
| Selahattin Demirtaş |
The co-leader of the Peoples’ Democratic party (HDP), sniffed the Turkish president, was a mere “pop star”. But, far from hurting Demirtaş, the remark merely served to highlight Erdoğan’s fear of the 42-year-old’s youthful, telegenic appeal and sense of humour.
His musical performance was just one of the ways in which Demirtaş – the man who has done more than anyone to thwart Erdoğan’s aspirations to build an all-powerful presidency – achieved electoral breakthrough by thumbing his nose at political convention.
In Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the HDP broadened beyond its Kurdish roots, to become a liberal umbrella group with particular appeal to women, gay men and lesbians, anxious about Erdoğan’s growing power and deepening conservatism.
In May, Demirtaş invited the television cameras into his home, where he made a leisurely Turkish breakfast for his wife, Başak, and their two daughters. “Breakfast is the only time we truly enjoy each other’s company,” he said. “After that everyone goes to either school or work.”
Read more: Selahattin Demirtaş: thumbing his nose at political convention in Turkey | World news | The Guardian
May 25, 2015
Poland: Conservative Duda wins Poland's presidential vote
Conservative challenger Andrzej Duda has won Poland's presidential
election and ousted the incumbent in a runoff vote, according to
official results.
Duda, a right-wing member of the European Parliament, won with 51.55 percent of the vote, the State Electoral Commission said on Monday.
President Bronislaw Komorowski, allied with the ruling pro-business Civic Platform, garnered 48.45 percent in the second round of voting on Sunday, with a turnout was 55.34 percent.
Duda, a 43-year-old lawyer with experience in the government, will be take office in August.
Poland's president is the head of the armed forces, and can propose and veto legislation. In foreign policy, the president's role is chiefly ceremonial.
Read Conservative Duda wins Poland's presidential vote - Al Jazeera English
Duda, a right-wing member of the European Parliament, won with 51.55 percent of the vote, the State Electoral Commission said on Monday.
President Bronislaw Komorowski, allied with the ruling pro-business Civic Platform, garnered 48.45 percent in the second round of voting on Sunday, with a turnout was 55.34 percent.
Duda, a 43-year-old lawyer with experience in the government, will be take office in August.
Poland's president is the head of the armed forces, and can propose and veto legislation. In foreign policy, the president's role is chiefly ceremonial.
Read Conservative Duda wins Poland's presidential vote - Al Jazeera English
Spain set for change as voters look to oust traditional parties in local polls
Voters across Spain
are casting ballots in regional and municipal elections with an outcome
likely to mark the end of the country’s dominant two party system.
The electorate are said to be tired of corruption and economic malaise and look set to vote for smaller parties and political mavericks.
Sitting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Popular Party are expected to lose majorities in most of the 10 regions they control.
The Socialists, led by Pedro Sanchez, are unlikely to benefit from the suspicion in which the current government is held with the public looking to go further by voting for Podemos and Ciudadanos (Citizens Party), the new kids on the block.
The battle for the capital Madrid symbolises the mood in Spain with the Popular Party in real danger of losing a majority it has held for two decades.
Likewise in Barcelona where an anti-eviction campaigner is on course to to upset the formally dominant Convergence and Union Party.
Read more: Spain set for change as voters look to oust traditional parties in local polls | euronews, world news
The electorate are said to be tired of corruption and economic malaise and look set to vote for smaller parties and political mavericks.
Sitting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Popular Party are expected to lose majorities in most of the 10 regions they control.
The Socialists, led by Pedro Sanchez, are unlikely to benefit from the suspicion in which the current government is held with the public looking to go further by voting for Podemos and Ciudadanos (Citizens Party), the new kids on the block.
The battle for the capital Madrid symbolises the mood in Spain with the Popular Party in real danger of losing a majority it has held for two decades.
Likewise in Barcelona where an anti-eviction campaigner is on course to to upset the formally dominant Convergence and Union Party.
Read more: Spain set for change as voters look to oust traditional parties in local polls | euronews, world news
May 24, 2015
Turkey: Upcoming Elections - Dark Clouds Over Turkey
With two weeks to go before a crucial parliamentary
election in Turkey, tensions are rising and some critics of President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan fear a new crackdown is starting to ensure that his
Justice and Development Party wins.
Mr.
Erdogan has a long history of intimidating and co-opting the Turkish
media, but new alarms were set off this week when criminal complaints
were filed against editors of the Hurriyet Daily News and its website
over a headline Mr. Erdogan had objected to.
Read more: Dark Clouds Over Turkey - NYTimes.com
That kind of brute manipulation of
the political process would be a serious mistake, further weakening the
country’s battered democracy and tainting whatever victory might emerge.
After
more than a decade of amassing power as Turkey’s leader, Mr. Erdogan
could be on the verge of realizing his dream of changing the
Constitution to make the president, rather than the prime minister, the
leading political authority. His party, known as A.K.P., would have to
win 330 seats in Parliament on June 7 — a three-fifths majority — to
take a proposed constitutional change to a referendum.
The party won only 326 seats in the last election in 2011, and on Friday Reuters reported that the most recent poll by the research firm Konda suggests that support for A.K.P. has declined.
Read more: Dark Clouds Over Turkey - NYTimes.com
May 23, 2015
Suriname: Four International Delegations to Monitor Elections in Suriname on May 25, 2015
 |
| Suriname President Desi Bouterse |
According to the Suriname electoral authorities, the list of observers includes 11 members of the Caribbean Community, 20 from the Union of South American Nations, 24 from the Organization of American States and five from the European Union.
Read more: Prensa Latina News Agency - Four International Delegations to Monitor Elections in Suriname
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