world politics news: monarchies

Showing posts with label monarchies. Show all posts

Thursday, November 26, 2020

#THAILAND: Students Risk Long Jail Sentences Over "Insulting The Monarchy"

[world politics news]

Thousands of Thai protesters took to the streets of Bangkok on Wednesday night to call on King Maha Vajiralongkorn to give up control of a royal fortune valued in the tens of billions of dollars, turning their protest movement directly on the once-untouchable monarchy’s vast wealth.

The protesters have already broken a long-standing taboo by criticising the king and police summoned many of the best-known protest leaders ahead of the rally on charges of insulting the monarchy – the first time the law has been used since early 2018.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

#JAPAN: Emperor Akihito Gives Final Speech As Emperor In Long-Planned Abdication Ceremony

[world politics news]

Japanese Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne Tuesday, bringing the three-decade-long Heisei era to a close. A ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the Imperial Palace. Akihito gave his last speech to the people in his current role.

"Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the Emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to do so. I sincerely thank the people who accepted and supported me in my role as the symbol of the State."

The ceremony was long-planned, as the Japanese parliament, the Diet, passed legislation last year to allow the 85-year-old monarch to resign his office due to age and ill-health. He is the first Emperor in Japan to do so in over 200 years. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, formally ascends the throne later today. A new era - called Reiwa, meaning order and harmony - will begin in Japan's unique calendar, which assigns a name to each emperor's "era."

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

Monday, December 04, 2017

#JAPAN: Gov't Approves Plan For Abdication of Emperor On April 30, 2018; First Abdication In 200 Years.

[world politics news]

A special panel chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday set April 30, 2019, as the date for Emperor Akihito’s abdication, the first retirement of a sitting Emperor in 200 years. The Chrysanthemum Throne is considered the world’s oldest monarchy. Akihito is 83 years old. The decision, expected to be approved by the government later this month, will pave the way for Crown Prince Naruhito, the eldest son of Emperor Akihito, to ascend the throne the following day, May 1, ushering in a new era that would end the Heisei Era, which started in 1989.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, January 20, 2017

#JAPAN: Legislature Starts Planning For Emperor To Abdicate In 2019

[world politics news]

The Japanese government has been considering the possibility of arranging for Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne on Jan 1, 2019, with Emperor Akihito having expressed his desire to abdicate during a video message to the nation last August. The 83-year-old ceremonial monarch has been on the throne since 1989. Legislation is considering his post-reign role and where he will live after abdication. No emperor has abdicated since Japan's current constitution came into effect, the last abdication taking place in 1817.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Friday, January 23, 2015

#SAUDIARABIA: King Abdullah Dies; Salman Becomes King In Time of Mid-East Turmoil

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who had ruled the oil-rich kingdom since 2006, died Friday at the age of 90. Prince Salman immediately became king. The transition comes at a time when the region is beset by political and social turmoil, as ISIS threatens both Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.