Elections

The rise and dangers of Identity Politics

In recent years, the number of democracies has fallen, and democracy has retreated in virtually all regions of the world. Many authoritarian countries, led by China and Russia, have become much more…

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How social media exposed the fractures in Brazilian democracy (FT)

As Brazil faces one of its most divisive elections in years, Douglas Garcia, like many of his countrymen, has come to see social media not so much as a way…

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European Leaders pitch new alliance for MEP elections

In a joint op-ed published this morning, Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat, ALDE chief Guy Verhofstadt and Christophe Castaner, the leader of Emmanuel Macron’s La République En Marche movement, have extended an open invitation to…

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Trump accuses China of seeking to meddle US midterms. China denies

US President Donald Trump accused China of seeking to meddle in the Nov. 6 U.S. congressional elections on Wednesday, saying Beijing did not want his Republican Party to do well…

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Manafort agrees to co-operate in investigation into alleged Russian meddling in US election as part of plea deal

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has agreed to co-operate with an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the US election as part of a plea deal. In court on…

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Election Watch – The Implications of Sweden’s vote

Sweden’s national election on Sunday is not a traditional political fight between left and right. The country is at a crossroads, and the question is: Will Sweden remain an open society? Swedes…

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Hungary’s Fidesz Party committed to EPP

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party is strongly committed to the mainstream conservative group in the European Parliament for elections next year, a top official said, but will still pursue common…

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Election Watch – US

In the US, races for governor have often yielded centrist candidates. Voters in Florida, Oklahoma and Arizona chose a different route. And women, once again, made a strong showing in…

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Mnangagwa takes oath as President in Zimbabwe

As Emmerson Mnangagwa took the oath of office, he urged Zimbabwe to unite behind his presidency. It's after a divisive election that US observers say called the country's democratic credentials…

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Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court approves electoral vote

Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed a bid by the largest opposition coalition to annul the results of last month's presidential election, which gave a victory to incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa. Chief…

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A lie by Papadopoulos set Maltese Professor Joseph Mifsud free from being investigated further in Russia’s link with Trump campaign probe

CNN reports that the federal authorities had cornered the man they suspected could be part of Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, and they might have been more successful in…

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Collins suspends re-election campaign

New York Republican representative Chris Collins announced he was suspending his campaign for re-elections, days after federal prosecutors charged him with insider trading. New York Times reports that Mr. Collins, who…

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Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Start your day informed with your morning briefing providing you the highlights of what happened in the last 24 hours Malta, Europe and the World, in just under…

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The Inquiry about the ties between Russia and President Trump’s campaign to include woman who ran upscale escort service

A woman who once ran an upscale New York City escort service will appear on Friday before a federal grand jury that is hearing evidence in the wide-ranging inquiry into…

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Conservatives accused of “trying to rig” elections through electoral boundaries changes

The Independent reports that the Conservatives have been accused of "trying to rig the next election" after new analysis found that planned changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries would disproportionally benefit…

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Ruling party claims victory in Cambodia

Cambodia's ruling party on Sunday claimed victory in the general election, amid criticism of voter intimidation and the absence of any significant challenger to Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has…

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Pakistan main parties reject election outcome

AFP: Pakistan's main parties rejected the outcome of elections won by cricket star Imran Khan and announced protests demanding new polls Friday, after foreign observers criticised the pivotal vote over rigging…

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Breaking News: Explosion kills 25 and wounds 40 in Pakistan as country holds general election (UPDATED)

AP: A Pakistan hospital official says an explosion outside crowded polling station in southwestern city of Quetta has killed 25 people and wounded 40. Jaffer Kakar, a doctor, says five policemen…

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Trump “very concerned” about Russia’s potential involvement in the next midterm elections

CNN reports that President Donald Trump, a week after downplaying Russian interference in US elections, said Tuesday he is "very concerned" that Russia will look to impact the 2018 midterm elections and…

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Canadian Prime Minister shuffles Cabinet ahead of election year

Reuters: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet on Wednesday ahead of a challenging 2019 election, stressing the need to diversify trade away from the United States while leaving…

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UN envoy to Libya says “unwise to hold elections currently” demands HoR to issue needed legislations

The Libya Observer: The United Nations envoy to Libya briefed the UN Security Council on Monday about the latest developments in the country, urging member states to use pressure on…

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US Secretary of State warns about Russia’s use of Social media to divide Americans

The U.S. homeland security secretary said on Saturday there are no signs that Russia is targeting this year’s midterm elections with the same “scale or scope” it targeted the 2016…

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Latest poll in the UK shows dramatic fall in support for May

Labour has opened up its biggest poll lead over the Conservatives since shortly after last June’s general election, as the government’s chaotic handling of Brexit appears to have triggered a dramatic fall…

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UK: How political parties collect data and target you

Euronews: Elections are becoming “increasingly datafied” as political parties tap into big data to target their messaging and this could have a “significant impact” at the ballot box, Britain’s Information Commissioner’s…

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Mexico Election Update

Mexican ruling party candidate Jose Antonio Meade conceded he had lost the presidential election on Sunday, saying his rival, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, bore the responsibility of the next government and…

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Sunday Morning Briefing

Good morning Sunday's morning briefing follows. Spain said that Barcelona will be the docking port for an aid boat that rescued 60 migrants in waters near Libya but was not…

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Mexico Elections to be held on Sunday

TIME: Mexico heads to the polls Sunday in national elections that will likely mark a sharp change in the political direction of Latin America’s second largest economy. It comes at a…

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Alexandria Ocasio Cortez – The millennial who defeated the veteran and which immediately ignited hope in the US

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 28, defeated political veteran Joe Crowley, 56, on Tuesday night in their party's congressional primary in New York City. Mr Crowley, a 10-term Democrat, had been tipped as…

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Salvini’s Lega continues to to increase its support amongst Italian voters

Financial Times: Matteo Salvini’s position at the heart of Italy’s new coalition government was bolstered after his candidates made big gains in municipal elections, including the capture of a trio of…

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Updated: Turkey’s presidential election – Results

AP: Turkey's incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed victory in critical elections based on unofficial results, securing an executive presidency with sweeping powers. Speaking in televised remarks from Istanbul…

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Things to watch out for in Turkey’s elections (Analysis)

On Sunday Turkish citizens are called to the polls for general elections, initially scheduled for 3 November 2019 and then anticipated as announced on 18 April by a presidential note.…

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Erdogan in pursuit for greater powers in by seeking new term

ABC News: Since he took office in 2003, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given a name to each stage in his consolidation of power in Turkey. First he called himself the…

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Qualiano (Italy): €10 in drinks for vote

TgCom: A candidate for a seat at the Qualiano local council was surprised by the Italian police (Carabinieri) while delivering tickets for free drinks at a nearby bar worth 10 euros,…

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Elections underway in Slovenia

The Slovenian Democratic Party looks set to win the most votes in the election taking place today. The party let by Led by Janez Janša, seen an increase in support, mainly…

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Carlo Cottarelli given mandate to form new technocratic government in Italy

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has appointed former International Monetary Fund official Carlo Cottarelli as interim prime minster despite demands for him to be impeached. Cottarelli accepted the mandate with reservation…

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Duque wins first round of Colombian elections

Right-winger Ivan Duque, who intends to reform the peace pact with the FARC ex-guerrilla, won the first round of the Presidential election in Colombia on Sunday. He didn't obtain an absolute…

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“I will be the defence lawyer of the Italians” – Giuseppe Conte accepts official mandate to form government

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella gave Professor Giuseppe Conte the task of forming the new Italian government. The decision was announced by the secretary general of the Quirinale…

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Law Professor Giuseppe Conte named as chosen candidate for Italian Prime Minister

Law professor Giuseppe Conte has been named as the choice of the Five Star Movement and League to lead the coalition government. During the past two weeks, the League's Matteo…

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Erdogan seeks support in his Presidential election bid in Sarajevo

Euronews and Al Jazeera report that Turkey's President Erdogan held a rally in Sarajevo ahead of next month's election in his country. On his arrival, he was greeted by the…

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France proposes 2018 elections plan to end Libya political stalemate

France has proposed an initiative to end Libya’s political impasse by holding parliamentary and presidential elections by the end of 2018 as per a United National timeline. “Political solution plus a…

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Nicolas Maduro wins Venezuela Election

Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has shrugged off international condemnation and allegations of vote buying and electoral fraud to claim a second six-year term at the helm of his crisis-stricken nation. He invited…

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If Mattarella needs me, I am available – Silvio Berlusconi

"At the moment no body has the necessary experience to be a Prime Minister. If Mattarella needs me, I am available." Silvio Berlusconi said this earlier on Friday on the margins…

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Agreement on the contract for Italy’s new Government. Last hurdle is naming the Prime Minister

After hours of negotiations and discussions on the formation of the new government in Italy, M5s and La Lega has found enough ground to sign an agreement on a plan…

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Iraq elections – Muqtada al-Sard’s coalition comes first

The release final results of Iraq's parliamentary vote indicate that Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon coalition (the Alliance of Revolutionaries for Reform) is leading in the polls. Coming in second…

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New Italian premier will not be a technocrat, but a politician

"We are ready to report". The call to the Quirinale arrives Sunday evening, after a long day of negotiations marked by a double summit in Milan between M5s and Lega…

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Will Italy have a Government tonight?

"You're writing the story and obviously it takes some time, there's a great atmosphere at the table, you're dealing with very important issues." This was stated by the leader M5s…

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Tunisia fragmented political spectrum after local elections – Analysis

A highly fragmented political scene emerged from Tunisia's municipal elections. The surprise victory of independent candidates may challenge the longstanding Ennahda-Nidaa Tounes alliance ahead of next year's parliamentary and presidential…

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81 year old President Bouteflika urged to consider re-running for election

Earlier this week, Algeria's biggest union Algeria’s urged President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Tuesday to seek a fifth term in office in a further sign that the veteran leader will run in next…

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Iraqis vote since country declared victory over IS

Iraqis have voted in the first parliamentary election since the country declared victory over the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group at the end of…

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Agreement on key issues for government formation in Italy

5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said that a fresh meeting with League chief Matteo Salvini on the formation of a new government went well on Friday. "We are…

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Italy: Race to reach government agreement by Sunday

Italy may be edging towards forming a new government after Luigi di Maio and Matteo Salvini indicate “significant steps forward” have been made. Fresh negotiations on Wednesday between Movimento Cinque…

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Malaysia : World oldest Prime Minister sworn in at 92

Mahathir Mohamad took his oath of office as Malaysia’s prime minister in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. The 92-year old won a surprising victory against the political coalition that has dominated…

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New political era in Malaysia

Malaysians awoke on Thursday to a new political era, as veteran opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad sealed victory in a historic general election that ends the ruling coalition’s six-decade grip on…

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Political impasse in Italy sends Government Bond yields rising

Following the unsuccessful final round of coalition talks, Italian president Mattarella declared that the process to form a government had failed. Mattarella’s preferred option remains to install a fixed-mandate technical…

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Hezbollah and its allies win Lebanon’s elections

Hezbollah and its political allies are the biggest winners in Lebanon's first general election in nine years, an analysis of the preliminary results show. Hezbollah and Amal - dubbed the…

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Italy – No chance to form ‘Government’

President Sergio Mattarella held a third round of formal political consultations on Monday but there was no sign of a breakthrough to end the gridlock that followed Italy's inconclusive election…

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Renzi satisfied that there was no deal between PD and M5s

Former premier and ex Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi said that he was pleased he had intervened to scupper the possibility of the centre-left group striking a government deal…

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