UK: Labour Party Wins Majority of England Local Council Elections

[world politics news]

Conservative representation has collapsed to its lowest level since 1998 in the areas that voted in Thursday’s local elections, according to a Guardian analysis.

The Tories now control 19% of seats in the 98 council areas that had announced results by 20:40 on 3 May – their lowest level since Labour’s Tony Blair swept to power in the late 1990s.

But while Labour made significant gains in key target areas such as Nuneaton on Friday, the party has fallen short of its previous performance in some areas, as independent candidates, many campaigning on the war in Gaza, pulled off shock victories in traditional heartlands such as Oldham.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SOUTHKOREA: Anger Over Flood of Pre-Election Texts, Calls

[world politics news]

In the lead up to theApril 10 general elections, parties   and candidates face a growing backlash over an excessive number of calls and text messages as potential candidates seeking support.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#THENETHERLANDS: Small Local Parties Do Well In Municipal Elections

[world politics news]

A historically low turnout didn’t stand in the way of various local parties celebrating a successful evening in last week's municipal elections. 

A number of the major Dutch political parties also enjoyed some solid wins across different municipalities, but the Netherlands’ local political parties were the big winners, further strengthening their hold on local politics. 

Local parties took home around 36% of the vote, up from 29% four years ago. De Mos (also known as Hart voor Den Haag) remains the largest party in The Hague. Similarly, in Rotterdam, Leefbaar Rotterdam held onto its majority and kept all 11 of its seats on the Municipal Council. In Maastricht, the Senioren Partij overtook the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) to become the biggest party in the municipality.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Labour Party Suffers Losses Nationwide In Local Elections

[world politics news]

A ballot box meltdown across England for the Labour Party saw voters switch to the Conservatives in local council elections following 11 years of Conservative rule nationwide – prompting another round of Labour soul-searching and tough questions for Leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has only been in charge of the party for 13 months.

Starmer's party suffered losses in a swathe of English council seats as voters shrugged off Tory "sleaze" accusations to back Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

In a particularly stunning loss, Labour lost the north England city council in Hartlepool, which has been a Labour stronghold. Observers speculated that the party is having trouble holding traditional workers.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Labour Party Suspends 7 City Councilors Over Anti-Semitism

[world politics news]

Seven city councillors are among a group suspended by the Labour Party over alleged anti-semitism.

The Peterborough City councillors, and seven other party members from the city and north west Cambridgeshire, are facing an internal party investigation.

Labour said it took "all complaints of anti-semitism extremely seriously." The suspensions come just days ahead of the May 6th nationwide municipal elections.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ITALY: Rome's City Assembly Will Erect Barrier Around Trevi Fountain

[world politics news]

With over tourism plaguing Rome, the city's mayor has officially announced plans to build a barrier around the Trevi Fountain.

The Capitoline Assembly approved a motion presented by the Five-Star Movement Party to create protective barriers around the popular Boroque landmark.

“It seems to me the most common-sense proposal to protect one of the most important and visited monuments in Rome, Mayor Treayor Virgina Raggi posted on Facebook on January 25, 2020, two days after the vote.

It is thought that the barrier will help with solving the crowd control issues at the fountain and prevent bad behavior by tourists – some of whom had been jumping into the water.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#FRANCE: Local Governments Ban Controversial Weed Killer, Defying National Government

[world politics news]

Some 20 French mayors have banned glyphosate from their municipalities, defying the national government, which is now taking legal action to impose national legislation which allows the controversial weedkiller’s continued use for now. The chemical is commonly found in the US brand "Roundup" and has been banned in several nations throughout the world.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: Sydney Officials Deny Additional Park Safety Lighting Over "Carbon Footprint" Concerns

[world politics news]

Sydney's city council has refused to install more lighting in a city park to make women feel safer because it would add to their “carbon footprint."

The proposal for more lighting was put forward after several women said they were afraid to exercise in Prince Alfred Park at night or early in the morning because it isn’t adequately lit.

The city council declared a "climate emergency" last month.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ROMANIA: Backed By Ad Agencies, "200 For Bucharest Party" Formed to Contest Local Elections

[world politics news]

A number of well-known professionals from various domains have formed a new political party – “200 for Bucharest” – whose first goal is to take part in the local elections this year. It will later evolve into a national party, say its backers, made up largely of advertising agency executives.

Pictured: PR exec. Bogdan Naumovici of 23 Communications Ideas.

#CHINA: Central Gov't Imposes Debt Ceilings For Local Gov'ts

[world politics news]

China's top legislature on Saturday imposed a ceiling of 16 trillion yuan ($2.51 trillion) for local government debt in 2015. The decision was adopted at the close of the National People's Congress Standing Committee bi-monthly session. According to the Budget Law which took effect this year, and a State Council regulation, China should cap local government debt balance.

#CHINA

Gov't Will Establish National Online Petitioning System to Petition Officials [world politics news]

#FRANCE

Far-Right #NationalFront Party Makes Historic Gains in Local Elections [world politics news]

#ISRAEL

Attny Gen. Seeks Overturn of Nazareth Mayoral Election Citing Irregularities [world politics news]

#USA

White Texas Man Wins Election in Heavily Black Dist. By Implying He Is Black [world politics news]

#IRELAND

Gov't Plans to Abolish Town Councils in Sweeping Reform  [world politics news]

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, defending the plan to eliminate 700 town councilors.