Displaying items by tag: Politics

Protests have rocked Turkey for more than a week after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential rival to President Erdogan. He was detained on corruption charges, which he and his supporters claim are politically motivated. Over 1,400 people have been detained since the unrest began, including students, journalists, and lawyers. Rights groups and the UN have condemned the mass arrests and police violence. Despite government bans, thousands have continued to gather in Istanbul, chanting against the government and demanding early elections. The Republican People's Party (CHP) is calling for transparent trials and the release of detained officials. President Erdogan has denied any political interference, warning protesters they are leading the country into chaos. Journalists covering the protests have also been arrested, prompting international concern. While Imamoglu remains eligible to run for president unless convicted, his arrest has escalated tensions in an already polarised political climate.

Ireland’s political landscape is bracing for a showdown over Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) Verona Murphy, whose role is under fire amid a prolonged row over speaking rights in the Dáil. Since January, tensions have mounted, and now five main opposition parties have united to table a no-confidence motion, claiming bias and procedural failings. Murphy, a former haulier, responded defiantly, rejecting accusations of collusion and affirming her commitment to impartiality and parliamentary procedure. The government, led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is standing firmly behind her. Martin criticised the opposition - particularly Sinn Féin - for disruptive conduct and accused them of undermining democratic norms. Murphy is expected to survive the vote, but the battle has exposed deep divides, threatening to paralyse parliamentary function and leaving her position weakened, even if technically secure. Both sides are now entrenched, and further political drama appears inevitable in the days ahead.

The constitutional court has overturned the impeachment of South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president amid ongoing political upheaval. Han was removed from office after president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late last year, suspending civilian legal processes and triggering a national crisis. After Yoon's suspension by lawmakers on 14 December, Han took over presidential duties - only to be impeached himself less than two weeks later for allegedly undermining the constitution. The opposition Democratic Party accused him of aiding Yoon’s martial law plan and refusing to appoint constitutional court justices or pass a bill investigating First Lady Kim Keon-hee. However, the court found no evidence to support these accusations; only one of eight judges supported the impeachment. Han welcomed the ruling, calling it ‘wise’. The nation now awaits the court’s decision on whether Yoon will be impeached.

Mark Carney has called a snap federal election for 28 April, aiming to secure a strong mandate amid rising tensions with Donald Trump. A political newcomer and former banker, Carney was sworn in just weeks ago after succeeding Justin Trudeau, who stepped down following internal party strife. The election sets the stage for a fierce contest with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a populist who once led comfortably in the polls. The central issue is who can best defend Canada against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and trade threats, including proposed tariffs and talk of annexation. Carney accused Trump of seeking to undermine Canadian sovereignty and vowed to build a more secure, self-reliant nation. Poilievre, meanwhile, blamed Liberal policies for Canada’s current vulnerability and called for a nationalist shift in governance. The 37-day campaign is poised to reshape the nation’s future at a critical crossroads. Trump’s actions have infuriated Canadians - and upended their politics.

Voters in Portugal are growing frustrated as another snap election looms, with little hope for stability. Prime minister Luis Montenegro’s centre-right government collapsed after losing a confidence motion, forcing the president to call a new parliamentary election, probably in May. This will be the third election in three years. Many believe the political elite have failed for decades and fear worsening instability. One political analyst has warned the election may produce another inconclusive result, leading to continued uncertainty. Opinion polls show the centre-left Socialists and Montenegro’s Democratic Alliance (AD) in a deadlock at around 30%. While the political right holds a majority, AD refuses to work with the far-right Chega party. Voter discontent is high, with concerns about low turnout. Montenegro denies wrongdoing after his business dealings triggered the crisis. Meanwhile, citizens fear government inaction will further harm the nation.

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce billions of pounds in spending cuts - possibly including welfare - during her spring statement on 26 March. Facing economic challenges and her self-imposed fiscal rules, Reeves cannot borrow for day-to-day spending, leaving cuts as one of her only options. The Treasury is submitting proposals to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) ahead of its economic forecast. Reports suggest that a four-point plan of planning reform, Whitehall cuts, regulation cuts, and welfare cuts will be central to Reeves' strategy. Her fiscal policies require maintaining a £10 billion buffer, yet sluggish growth and rising borrowing costs are forcing difficult decisions. The Government is also bracing for economic impacts from global trade challenges, including Donald Trump’s trade policies. The government faces tough choices between tax hikes or further cuts: the outcome of its decisions will significantly impact public services and financial stability in the coming years.

The trial has begun of forty prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of conspiring against state security. The proceedings sparked outrage as nine detained defendants were forced to attend remotely, a move decried as a violation of fair trial standards. Families of the accused and demonstrators outside the courthouse demanded transparency and judicial integrity, chanting against political repression. While critics regard the trial as part of president Kais Saied’s crackdown on dissent, some citizens support his actions, blaming the opposition leaders for economic hardships. International organisations, including Amnesty International and the UN, have condemned the mass prosecution as a sign of Tunisia’s democratic decline. Meanwhile, the country’s economic crisis deepens, with inflation, unemployment, and stalled IMF negotiations adding to public discontent. The outcome of the trial could shape Tunisia’s political future and global standing.

Talks to form Austria’s first far-right-led coalition collapsed after negotiations between the Freedom Party (FPO) and the conservative People’s Party (OVP) failed. The FPO, which won the most votes in September’s election, has struggled to reach an agreement with the OVP. Disputes over key ministries, including finance and interior, along with FPO demands on EU legal rulings and Russian sanctions, proved insurmountable. FPO leader Herbet Kickl blamed the OVP for insisting on ministry allocations before resolving broader policy issues. The OVP, in turn, accused the FPO of failing to commit to fundamental democratic principles, including Austria’s role as a reliable EU partner. With coalition talks broken, the president must decide whether to restart centrist negotiations or call a snap election, where polls suggest the FPO would strengthen its lead. Political uncertainty now looms over Austria’s government formation.

On 11 February a magistrate’s court ordered opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye to appear and explain his absence in a case where he is accused of inciting violence during 2022 protests against rising living costs in Kampala. In a handwritten letter, Dr Besigye had stated he was ‘currently indisposed’. The magistrate emphasised the importance of personal liberty and scheduled the next hearing for 14 February. Notably, it was observed that there is no remand warrant currently justifying his detention, indicating he is being held without clear legal grounds. This development follows a recent supreme court ruling halting the trial of civilians in military courts. Dr Besigye has begun a hunger strike to protest against his continued detention, and there are concerns about his health: see

Keir Starmer has faced criticism in parliament over the UK’s agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, amid reports that the cost of the deal had risen from £9bn to £18bn. Both the Government and Mauritius denied the £18bn figure but have not provided an alternative amount. Under the agreement, the UK would retain a lease on Diego Garcia (home to a UK-US military airbase) for 99 years. However, the deal was paused for review after Donald Trump’s re-election, as some US Republicans fear it could benefit China. Mauritius’ new prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, has criticised the deal negotiated by his predecessor, citing concerns over inflation-proof payments. Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of 'shovelling money to Mauritius’ while cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners. Labour argues that growing international legal pressure has made the UK’s control of the islands unsustainable, while critics argue no binding international ruling has been made. The future of the military base remains a key point of debate.