UK: High Court To Rule On Another Scottish Independence Referendum

[world politics news]

The British Supreme Court is set to deliberate on whether Scotland can hold a second independence referendum without London's consent. The independence referendum in 2014 resulted in a 55% "No" vote to leaving the UK.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday that she was "confident" Scotland could hold a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom in October 2023.

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Bougainville Delegates Left Waiting After Independence Referendum

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Last December, 97.7% of the Pacific island of Bougainville voted in a non-binding referendum to break away from Papua New Guinea.

The two governments were them to consult and take the results to the parliament of Papua New Guinea for final decision. 

But a delegation from Bougainville was recently kept waiting in a Papua New Guinea hotel for days without a substantial meeting.

The deferred meeting left a bad taste in one delegate's mouth. 

“The deferral … is a reflection of so much inconsistency and lack of real commitment from the PNG government to engage,” says Joseph Watawi, a long-time Bougainville politician currently with the consultation team.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: PM Johnson Labels Scottish Devolution "A Disaster"

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly condemned devolution in Scotland as "a disaster north of the border." Devolution gave Scotland it's own Parliament.

The prime minister claimed it was Tony Blair's "biggest mistake" and that while he previously thought it was a good idea, he could not "see a case" for handing down more powers to the region's elected assembly. 

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, is likely to use the comments as ammunition ahead of next year's election, where - if her Scottish National Party wins a majority - she will press for another independence referendum.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NEWCALEDONIA: French Island Territory To Vote On Independence In October

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The French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia will hold a referendum on independence from France on October 4, a month later than originally planned due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the French government.

Initially scheduled for September 6, the vote has been "delayed to October 4, 2020, due to the consequences of the health crisis", a French government spokeswoman told reporters.

This is the second vote on independence for the remote island territory in the southwest Pacific. A referendum in November 2018 was defeated when 57 percent of voters chose to remain part of France.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Scottish Parliament Votes To Hold A Second Independence Referendum

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Scotland’s Parliament voted Wednesday to hold a new referendum on Scottish independence, a move intended to increase political pressure on the British government as the UK leaves the European Union.

Lawmakers in the Edinburgh-based legislature voted 64-54 to call for holding a referendum "so that the people of Scotland can decide whether they wish it to become an independent country.”

However, the vote will have little immediate effect. A binding referendum can’t take place without the British government's agreement, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson this month turned down the Scottish government's request for one on the independence question.


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

#SCOTLAND: SNP Leader Says Scotland Won't Be "Imprisoned" Within UK

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Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland cannot be “imprisoned in the UK against its will” and warned that Boris Johnson’s continued refusal to grant her the powers to hold a second referendum can only increase support for Scottish independence.

In the December 12th UK election, the SNP, campaigning on the promise of a second independence referendum, increased its share of the vote to 45% in Scotland, winning a greater proportion of the votes there than the Conservatives did across the UK, and also increased its number of MPs at Westminster to 47.

In contrast, the Conservatives – whose campaign in Scotland was focused on opposition to a second independence referendum – lost more than half their Scottish MPs, dropping from 13 to six.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#PAPUANEWGUINEA: Bougainville Votes For Independence In Referendum

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The South Pacific region of Bougainville voted overwhelmingly to become the world’s newest nation by gaining independence from Papua New Guinea.

More than 98% of valid ballots favored independence. The other option in the vote was greater autonomy from Papua New Guinea.

The referendum is nonbinding, and independence will need to be negotiated between leaders from Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. The final say would then go to lawmakers in the Papua New Guinea Parliament. The process of becoming a separate nation could take years to achieve.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SPAIN: Catalan Premier On Trial For Disobeying Election Authorities, Displaying Banners

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Catalan premier Quim Torra is on trial for disobedience over his refusal to take down politically charged signs from public buildings during the campaign leading up to the municipal and European elections of May 26. The hearings, which are taking place at the regional High Court, could mean early elections in Catalonia in the event of a conviction. Torra refused to take down a banner from the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government, expressing support for political leaders who were being tried at the Supreme Court for sedition

The prosecution is seeking a 20-month ban on holding public office and a €30,000 penalty for Torra, a hard-line separatist politician who ignored warnings from electoral authorities that the regional government must maintain neutrality during election campaigns. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SPAIN: Catalan Independence Leaders Get Lengthy Prison Sentences

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Spain’s supreme court has sentenced nine separatist leaders from Catalonia to between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition over their role in a failed independence bid, triggering protests across the region.

Three other defendants who were also on trial for their involvement in the October 2017 referendum held in spite of a ban and a short-lived independence declaration, were found guilty only of disobedience and not sentenced to prison.

All defendants were acquitted of the gravest charge, rebellion, but leading separatists were quick to condemn the court’s decision and the jailed men sent out messages of defiance, urging people to take to the streets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SPAIN: Angry Words, Walk-Out, In Catalan Parliament Over Treatment Of Jailed Independence Activists

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A political debate inside the Catalan parliament descended into a tremendous row over the recent arrests of radical separatists who are facing terrorism charges that include possession of bomb-making materials.

At the most heated session in recent years, politicians supporting the region's independence from Spain led by regional premier Quim Torra began chanting “freedom,” alluding to the seven members of the Committees to Defend the Republic, a grassroots group that has carried out actions such as roadblocks to defend Catalan independence.

After separatism-supporting lawmakers expressed support for the suspects, Carlos Carrizosa, a representative of the non-separatist Ciudadanos (Citizens) Party was expelled from the chamber after repeatedly telling pro-independence parliamentarians that “we feel threatened by those who back terrorism.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Scottish National Party Leader Says "Real Chance" Scotland Remains In EU

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Nicola Sturgeon says there's a "real chance" for Scotland to stay part of the EU as she launched her Scottish National Party's manifesto for the European elections.

The SNP Party Leader said voting for her party in next Thursday's election would be an opportunity to "make Scotland's voice heard." The party is fielding six candidates.

She claimed the UK parliament in London had "ignored the overwhelming vote in Scotland" to remain in the EU.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Banned Pro-Independence Party Leaders To Appeal To Three-Member Panel In January

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The leaders of the outlawed Hong Kong National Party will get to appeal against the ban before a three-member committee of Executive Council members next month. Andy Chan Ho-tin and Jason Chow Ho-fai will appeal to the panel, comprised of attorney Martin Liao Cheung-kong, former stock exchange chairman Chow Chung-kong and former Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam Chi-kwong. Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu banned the party under the Societies Ordinance on September 24, saying it was a "threat to national security and public order."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#NEWCALEDONIA: South Pacific French Territory Narrowly Votes Down Independence In Referendum

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Pro-independence forces gained grounded in the latest in a series of referenda on independence was held in the South Pacific French-governed territory of New Caledonia, gaining nearly 44% of the vote, held this past weekend. The "no" vote slipped to a 56.4% vote. Turnout was 80%, a record high. The 1998 Nouméa Accord calls for two more votes, in 2020 and 2022. In 1987, the "no" vote received 98%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#TAIWAN: Former Pres. Chen Calls For Independence Referendum On Remaining Separate From Mainland China

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Taiwan's former president, Chen Shui-bian, has called for a referendum on whether the self-ruled island wants to be a part of Communist China. Chen said that the current president, Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, should push for a referendum to let the world know that, "Taiwanese people do not want to be a part of China." Chen noted that mainland, Communist-led China has stepped up its military and diplomatic pressure on the island, targeting it in various ways, ranging from peeling away its remaining diplomatic allies to demanding private businesses like airlines and international organisations refer to Taiwan as part of China in an effort to make it accept that Taiwan is simply a rogue province of China.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Families of Two Young Independence Activists Warned To Cease Political Activities During Trips To Mainland China

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A student group seeking an independent Hong Kong says the families of two activists have been warned by mainland Chinese law enforcement agents that the pair must "stop their political activities." The claim by Studentlocalism came to light after Hong Kong pro-democracy party Demosisto earlier said two of its members had been detained during visits to the mainland this year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Small Pro-Independence Group To Be Banned After Police Say It Advocated Violence; Pressure From Beijing Suspected

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The small, separatist Hong Kong National Party could be banned after police say it advocated violence. The move is raising concerns that the Communist Mainland, ahead of a turnover of the city to China in the 2040s, could be losing its freedom of political expression. The fears are being given credence  after Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam said that any advocacy of separatism "will be suppressed." Opponents of the party say its statements that it would take "any steps necessary" to achieve its political goals prompted police concerns. The party was given 21 days to respond to the charges.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#DENMARK: Faroe Islands Considering Independence From Denmark

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Located more than 680 miles northwest of Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, the Faroe Islands have since 1948 had their own white, blue and red flag with an offset cross, their own language originating from the Viking's Old Norse and institutions and culture. With its breathtakingly green and high mountains covered by fog and inhabited by more sheep than people, the island territory is now weighing the idea of pushing its autonomy to full independence. The Faroese parliament voted to secede from Denmark in 1946, but the vote was not recognized by the Danish government.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Former Catalan Pres. In Exile In Brussels; Says He Accepts Madrid's Election Plans

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Catalonia's ousted leader Carles Puigdemont has agreed to the snap election Dec. 21st called by Spain's central government when it took control of the region to stop it breaking away, but he said the fight for independence would go on. Puigdemont, speaking at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday, also said he was not seeking asylum in Belgium after Spain's state prosecutor recommended charges for rebellion and sedition be brought against him. He would return to Catalonia when given "guarantees" by the Spanish government, he said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: Central Gov't In Madrid Fires Catalan Gov't; Catalan Leader Vows Peaceful Resistance

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Catalonia is now theoretically under the direct control of the Spanish national government in Madrid after the area’s regional parliament voted in favor of an independent republic on Friday. In a televised address on Saturday, the separatist leader said Madrid’s decision to suspend the autonomy of the province and appoint the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister as its provisional head goes against the will of the people.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SPAIN: BREAKING: Violence Feared As Catalonia Declares Independence, 40 Minutes After Direct Rule Imposed By Spanish Senate

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Spain is on the brink of descending into violence as Catalonia faces being imminently taken over by direct rule after the region's parliament declared independence. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy began a meeting with his cabinet at 5 pm local time to discuss exactly how the national government will take control of the region. During that meeting, article 155 of the country's constitution will be enacted - meaning the entire Catalan government will be dismissed and replaced by Spanish nominees, the regional police force will come under national control and public broadcasters will start taking their orders from Madrid.

[FULL STORY HERE]