#ISRAEL: New Poll Likely To Confirm PM Netanyahu's Fears Of Ouster Before Next Election

[world politics news]

A new poll shows that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would win more seats for the ruling Likud Party if elections were held today, but that a popular rival to Netanyahu would do almost as well.

Gideon Sa’ar, a former government minister, whom Netanyahu often acute is of trying to oust him as prime minister, pulled almost as high as Netanyahu and a recent Israeli television station survey.

Elections are not scheduled to occur in Israel until next November, and it is believed Netanyahu is going to hold to that schedule rather than calling an early election due to the internal threat posed by Sa'ar, which Israel's (ceremonial) president recently called "paranoia."

Photo: Gideon Sa'ar, left, sitting next to Prime Min. Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset in 2013.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CZECHIA: Social Democratic Party Leader Hamáček Survives Leadership Challenge; Party Likely To Split

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The Czech Republic's Social Democratic Party recently re-affirmed its faith in current party leader – Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček, who has been challenged by many in the party and his own vice chair Martin Zimola, after the party's weak performance in recent elections. Hamáček has only led the party since March of this year. He is currently the nation's Minister of Interior.

Zimola, who started his own reform platform within the party, wants the party to rethink its role in the minority government, but was unable to convince the leadership and Hamáček to make the change. Political observers say the party is likely to face a split in the near future.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

BREAKING: #GERMANY: Chancellor Merkel Will Step Down In 2021; Will Not Seek To Lead Party

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Plagued by several recent electoral setbacks for her ruling coalition,  and increasing criticism of her migration policies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will step down as chancellor in 2021. "I will not be seeking any political post after my term ends," she told a news conference in Berlin.

She also said she would not seek re-election as leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union Party in December. She has held that post since 2000.

The CDU was severely weakened in Sunday's elections in the state of Hesse, the latest in a series of setbacks.

The CDU slumped to 28% of the vote, the party’s worst showing in the state since 1966 and a drop of 10 percentage points since Hesse last went to the polls in 2013.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#BRAZIL: Rightist Jair Bolsonaro Elected President In Dramatic Election That Left Brazil Divided

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Jair Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old former paratrooper who built his campaign around pledges to crush corruption, crime and a Communist threat, secured 55.7% of the vote in Sunday's election.  He takes office in January.

He defeated Leftist candidate Fernando Haddad in a two-way run-off election. He rose to victory after being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally, one of many dramatic moments of the campaign of the man many easily compare to Donald Trump.

Bolsonaro has made controversial statements including admiration of the countries dictatorship in the 80s and 90s, leading many to speculate that he would seek to reinstate a dictatorship. He is on record as saying he would pack his cabinet with military officers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Incumbent Pres. Higgins Wins Re-Election Handily; "Trump-like" Casey Comes In Strong Second Place

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 Pres Michael D. Higgins has said that in re-electing him for a second seven-year term voters have chosen hope over “any exploitation of division or fear” and promised to be a president for “all the people." The less-than-subtle reference was to his major opponent in the race, Peter Casey, who came in a strong second place even after controversial comments allegedly disparaging the Traveler minority and calling Ireland a "welfare state" where too many people were dependent on government. Casey, who lived in the USA for more than 20 years, was compared to Pres. Trump in style and rhetoric during the campaign. He denied the comparison. Nonetheless, he beat critics' expectations with his strong 23% finish, to Higgins' 44% draw. Three others polled below 7% each.

Higgins will now have to deal with the real Donald Trump and Brexit in the United Kingdom, which threatens to erect border crossings between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is administered by the UK.

Also winning in this weekend's ballot was a measure overturning the nation's ancient blasphemy laws, which prosecuted people who offended religion. Sixty-five percent of voters were in favor of removing the offense from the Constitution, with 35 percent against.

PHOTO: Pres. Michael D. Higgins, with wife, Sabina, celebrating his victory.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SRILANKA: President Fires Prime Minister, Replaces Him With Former President With Pro-China Leanings

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President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday sacked his Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new premier. Rajapaksa had previously served two terms as president, maxing out his time in office under the nation's 19th Amendment. In a September interview with the Indian newspaper, "The Hindu," Rajapaksa reportedly said he would attempt to lead the Sri Lanka PoduJana Party in the 2019 elections, and if he won, he'd fight the amendment limiting him to two terms in the courts.

Rajapaksa had served as prime minister from 2004 until his victory in the 2005 presidential election, after which he served two five-year terms. He was defeated for a third term in 2015. He sought the position of prime minister in the 2015 parliamentary election, but was defeated, securing instead a seat in parliament. A June, 2018 The New York Times story alleged that Rajapaksa, during the 2015 presidential campaign, received large payments from the Chinese port construction fund that flowed directly into campaign aides and activities. He is viewed as a pro-Chinese politician.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: Cabinet Minister Sues News Magazine For Damaging Her Reputation; Alleged That Her Secretary Took Bribe

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Satsuki Katayama, the only female minister in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet, has sued publisher Bungei Shunju Ltd., claiming its report in a weekly magazine that she accepted money in a graft scandal defamed her reputation. The regional revitalization minister, who was just two weeks into her new cabinet position, is seeking US$98,000 in damages in the lawsuit filed with the Tokyo District Court. The suit alleges the Shukan Bunshun article reported that the owner of a manufacturing company paid ¥1 million to Katayama’s secretary in 2015 in return for asking tax authorities for special treatment on the company’s behalf.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ETHIOPIA: Sahle-Work Zewde Appointed First Female President By Parliament

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Career diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde has been appointed Ethiopia’s first female president, and Africa's only female head of state. On the brink of retirement, she did not seem destined for a political career. Ethiopian parliamentarians unanimously appointed Sahle-Work Zewde as president after the surprise resignation of Mulatu Teshome, who had held the post since 2013. This may have been a case of lucky timing. The appointment of a joint government composed of an equal number of men and women may have set the tone.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#INDONESIA: Pres. Candidate Prabowo Subianto Would Halt Work On Chinese-Funded High-Speed Rail Project If Elected

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Infrastructure projects Indonesia signed up to as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative are likely to be reviewed if former general Prabowo Subianto wins next year’s presidential election, his brother and campaign leader has said. One of the projects that would be reviewed was the US$4.5 billion high-speed railway currently being built to connect Jakarta and the city of Bandung, about 150km apart. The railway is being funded by loans from China Development Bank.

WHY SHOULD AMERICANS CARE?
This and other projects being put on hold and cancelled throughout Asia signal a bit of push-back and concern raised by Asian nations about China's influence and reach in the region. Those who counted the USA out as a positive influence in the region perhaps were ascribing too much "inevitability" to the idea that this was China's Century, and China's alone. There's still room for other players, at least.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#FRANCE: UN Human Rights Panel Says 2010 Law Banning Full-Face Veils "Violated Human Rights"

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The UN Human Rights Committee criticized France's so-called burqa ban, saying the law violated the rights of two women who were fined for wearing full-face veils in public. The committee said the women should be compensated and their fines refunded for violating a 2010 law forbidding people from publicly wearing clothing that conceals their face. The committee, made up of independent experts, urging nations to stick to their human rights commitments, but it does not have enforcement powers. The  ruling is said to be reigniting the debate over religious clothing bans and balancing the need for security in European nations where they've been implemented. It also is raising issues of national sovereignty in Europe.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: King Abdullah II Responds To Public Pressure, Cancels Treaty Deal On Israeli-Leased Jordanian Lands

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Jordan’s King Abdullah II says Jordan will not renew parts of the country’s 24-year-old peace agreement with Israel, amid public pressure to rebuke the Israeli government following the U.S. Embassy’s move to Jerusalem and ongoing violence in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, says he will try to work with Jordan to negotiate a renewal of the leased areas. The deal was reached in November 1994 between Abdullah’s father, King Hussein, and then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Mass demonstrations have been held in Jordan to urge the king not to renew the leases, and his decision was reportedly met with celebrations. The Islamic Action Front Party, the largest opposition party, praised the King’s decision, saying it was a response to the public will.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CZECHIA: Former Foreign Minister Says New FM Is A "Novice," "Useless"

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Former Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told Czech Television's Interview 24 show that new Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek was a novice and would not be able to stand up to the Prime Minister, Andrej Babis, or to President Milos Zeman. The Prague Daily Monitor newspaper said he has called Petricek "useless."

Schwarzenberg, 80, served as foreign minister from 2007 to 2009, and again from 2010 to 2013. He's a member of the TOP 9 party, serving in the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and was the party's first leader in 2009.

His family is related to the Habsburg family which ruled Austria, hungry, and the lands that became Czechoslovakia, until 1918.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Peter Casey - The Irish "Donald Trump" - Re-Joins Presidential Race; Calls Ireland A "Welfare State"

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Citing a "swell of support" from voters over the weekend, Peter Casey has re-joined the presidential race. He is now planning strategy with his team ahead of Friday's election. He had taken the week off after controversy erupted over his comments about the Traveler Community, which he had claimed were not a true "minority," but simply gypsy-like people who refused to work. He's backed away from those comments, but new ones, in which he called Ireland a "welfare state" in an open letter in a newspaper, were denounced by Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty. She accused the former television personality of "breathtaking ignorance."

Casey, 57, who has lived in the US (for 23 years) Australia (for 13 years) the UK and Ireland, was a "dragon" on the TV show "Dragon's Den," similar in format to the US show, "Shark Tank." The millionaire businessman is being compared to Donald Trump, because of his "politically incorrect" rhetoric and off-the-cuff speaking style, but he is on record saying he does not support Trump's policies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PAKISTAN: Desperate, Cash-Strapped Nation Cannot Afford To Boycott Saudi Conference, Says Prime Minister

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Newly installed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says his country must continue its good relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of its dire economic crisis.

Khan was slated to travel to the Saudi capitol of Riyadh Tuesday to attend an investment summit that has been boycotted by many western officials and companies following the murder of the journalist. In an interview with foreign journalists, Khan admitted that he could not afford not to attend.

He said the Pakistani government needed urgent access to Saudi loans to avoid defaulting on record levels of debt within months. "We’re desperate at the moment," Khan said. He also blamed Pres. Trump with stoking conflict in the region with continued sanctions on neighboring Iran, which he says is hurting Pakistan's economy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#POLAND: Interior Minister Recommends Opting Out Of UN Migration Deal, Due To Be Signed In December; Hungary Already A "No"

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Poland should not sign the United Nations new migration pact, says Joachim Brudzinski, Poland's minister of internal affairs. Brudzinski cites the lack of guarantees for "Poland's safety," and says it may encourage illegal immigration to Europe. He says he will recommend that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki opt out of the Global Compact deal, which is due to be signed in December in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Hungary has already announced it will not sign the Global Compact For "Safe, Orderly and Regular” Migration, which was approved in July. The United States pulled out already, arguing that it interfered with America's immigration laws. Eastern European nations have been increasingly skeptical of both European and UN's regulations of migration.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Conservative MP Gives Voice To Frustration With Embattled PM; May Could Face "No Confidence" Vote From Within Her Party Within Days

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In a stunning public rebuke, a rising star in the UK's Conservative Party has called for the ouster of Prime Minister Theresa May.

Conservative rising star MP Johnny Mercer today issued a call to arms in the Sunday Times newspaper for MPs to oust Theresa May, saying Britain cannot be led by someone guilty of an “abject failure to govern” at such a defining moment in our history.

Mercer wrote that he “cannot continue to support an administration that cannot function” on issues from Brexit to the Grenfell Tower disaster.

May, facing a rebellion in her party over her compromise plan for Brexit, is likely to face a vote of no confidence in the coming week, say insiders, triggered by letters sent in by disgruntled members of parliament.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SWEDEN: Prime Minister Stefan Löfven Gets A Second Chance; Social Democrats Must Form New Gov't By Oct 29

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Prime Minister and Social Democratic Party leader Stefan Löfven is getting another lease on political life. He's been given the chance to try to form a new government, following a failed attempt by the conservative Moderates Party earlier this month. The election in September resulted in a one-seat difference between the Social Democrats and Moderates, as the anti-migration Sweden Democrats made hefty gains. Now the chance to form a government has reverted to the Social Democrats, who have until October 29 to scrounge up the votes to create a government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Presidential Candidate Peter Casey Suspends Campaign Amid "Racist" Comments About Irish Traveler Community

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Irish presidential candidate Peter Casey has suspended his campaign and will likely decide on Monday whether to drop out of the race before next Friday's election after alleged racist comments. Casey, who has been accused of using "Trump-like" tactics and rhetoric as a candidate, has been attacked for his comments on a podcast about the Irish Traveller community in Ireland, considered by most to be an ethnic minority, comparable to Gypsies on the European continent, but of Irish extraction. Casey claimed that Travellers should not be recognized as an ethnic minority because they are "basically people camping on someone else’s land." The millionaire added that they don't pay their fair share of taxes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#INDIA: Junior Cabinet Member Sues Journalist Who Accused Him Of Sexual Harassment For Defamation

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The #MeToo movement has had important consequences in India. Dozens of women have called out misconduct, assault and harassment in the workplace, naming men in industries including Indian media, entertainment, sports, public relations and non-profit. Accused men have been forced to resign from prominent positions, but some have denied allegations and are fighting back.

Mobashar Jawed Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs, has accused journalist Priya Ramani of defamation after Ramani posted allegations on social media that she and others of his subordinates were abused when he was a journalist. Eleven other women have come forward since Ramani spoke out. "The allegations of misconduct made against me are false and fabricated, spiced up by innuendo and malice," he said in a statement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Nova Scotia Passes Tough New Animal Cruelty Laws; Makes Cat Declawing Illegal

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The province of Nova Scotia earlier this month passed strong new animal protection legislation, becoming the first province in the country to make cat declawing illegal. The new laws also put an end to tail docking, ear cropping, devocalizing dogs, and other unnecessary cosmetic surgeries on companion animals. Those who declaw cats or otherwise mutilate animals for cosmetic reasons could face up to six months in jail and a $25,000 fine for a first offence.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ICELAND: Legislature Allows Temporary Licences To Salmon Farms Amid Concerns Of Conservationists, Fishermen

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Responding to conservationists and anglers alike, the Icelandic Parliament, the Althingi, has passed emergency legislation granting temporary permits to two salmon farms, but requiring them to comply with environmental regulations before they become permanent.

Ministers within the government have expressed concern that the farms could cause massive job losses among fishermen. And conservationists say that the salmon farms could harm the environment if salmon escape into Iceland's rivers, pollution around the salmon pens, causing the rise of infectious diseases and lice infestations.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JAPAN: PM Abe Prepares Legislation To Admit More Foreign Workers; Sparks Early "Japan First" Protest March

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is preparing to introduce legislation to allow migrants to start filling vacancies next year in sectors worst hit by the country’s shrinking, aging population. While the government hasn’t released a target, local media have reported numbers that would represent a 40% increase over the 1.3 million foreign workers now living in the country. If passed, the legislation would be Japan’s most dramatic immigration overhaul since the 1990s, when it let “trainees” from Asian nations in the country. Foreigners make up only about 1.7% of the country’s population, compared with 3.4% in South Korea and about 12%  in Germany. A small group of protesters, calling themselves "Japan First" gathered this past weekend in an upscale Tokyo shopping district. They were met by counter-protesters calling them "racists," but it was a stark reminder to Abe that anti-migrant feeling in Japan could grow.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#THEPHILIPPINES: Pres. Says Nation's Re-Election To UN Human Rights Council Vindicates Controversial Drug War

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Granting the Philippines another three-year term on the UN. Human Rights Council has vindicated President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drugs and shown his detractors to be "morally corrupt," senior officials said. Human rights activists say Duterte's "war" on drugs after taking office in June 2016 – since when the police have killed more than 4,800 people – made his government unfit for a seat at the body. But the Philippines was re-elected to the 47-seat council by secret ballot at the UN. General Assembly last Friday, winning 165 out of 193 votes, with one abstention.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#GERMANY: Merkel's Party And Social Democrats Lose Ground In Bavarian Election; Anti-Migrant Party Makes Huge Gains

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Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies, the Christian Social Union Party, are heading for their worst state election result in 60 years, losing their majority and gaining just 35.5 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results of the German region's elections. The Social Democratic Party also lost ground. Meanwhile, the Anti-Immigration Alternative For Germany Party won seats in the region's parliament for the first time, and even the Green Party made gains. The results could further weaken Merkel's coalition and its hold on its ruling majority in the European nation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#TUNISIA: Parliament Makes Hate Speech, Incitement To Hatred, And Racial Discrimination A Crime

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Tunisia’s parliament has adopted a law criminalizing racist speech, incitement to hatred and discrimination, in a vote hailed as a historic first in a country with a significant black minority. The legislation was approved on Tuesday night after a lengthy debate with 125 members of parliament voting for it, one against and five abstaining.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.