#GHANA: Fight In Parliament Over Controversial Internet Tax

[world politics news]

 

A fight broke out between lawmakers in Ghana’s parliament during a debate over a proposed tax on electronic transactions that has divided the house for weeks.

The controversial 1.75% e-levy, which would include mobile money payments, has been challenged by the opposition since it was first proposed last month and held up the passing of the budget.

The fight occurred after the parliament's speaker called for a vote on the measure.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#HONGKONG: Leader Carrie Lam Shouted Down In Legislature While Giving Speech

[world politics news]

Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam attempted to deliver her annual policy address today in the Legislative Council, the first time the governing body had met since June, when protested surrounded the building, preventing lawmakers from entering to debate the controversial extradition bill that sparked the protests that have gripped Hong Kong for months.

But Lam's speech was interrupted by pro-democracy lawmakers shouting slogans, including “Five demands, not one less”, which refers to their demands for an independent inquiry into police behaviour, amnesty for those arrested, democratic reforms to give Hong Kong residents universal suffrage, the withdrawal of the emergency law which allows for a ban of face masks during protests, a halt to categorising the protests as riots.

She left the chamber after only one minute into her speech, which was later given by video.

[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

[world politics news]

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: Parliament In Chaos After Scottish National Party Leader Blackford Removed, SNP MPs Walk Out

[world politics news]

The House of Commons descended into chaos Tuesday as the leader of the Scottish National Party in parliament, Ian Blackford, was expelled for trying to call a vote in the middle of Prime Minister's Question time, which was against protocol. Blackford was upset about the debate on devolution of powers to Scotland, which had been cut short. Blackford tried to use an arcane procedure demanding the 'House sit in private' - a motion that requires a vote of MPs on whether to clear public galleries. The entire SNP delegation walked out after he was expelled by House Speaker John Bercow.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#MALDIVES: Army Occupies Parliament, Roughs Up Opposition, To Prevent No Confidence Votes

[world politics news]

The Maldives military locked down the nation’s parliament on Tuesday in what opposition lawmakers said was an attempt to block a motion to impeach the speaker of the house. Imthiyaz Fahmy, from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, tweeted a video of what he said were security forces in plain clothes blocking representatives from entering the chamber.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#TURKEY: Fights Break Out In National Assembly Over Plans To Give Erdogan More Powers

[world politics news]

Turkish lawmakers got engaged in physical violence, pushing each other and exchanging blows during a round of voting on Wednesday. The opposition lawmakers accuse the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of breaching the law on secrecy of ballot by displaying their votes. The move highlights the ruling party's pressure on its lawmakers to vote in favor of the amendments, and not independently, the opposition lawmakers said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Senate Speaker Orders Probe Into Police Surrounding Parliament During Session

[world politics news]

The speaker of Kenya's Senate has ordered a probe into why police cordoned off parliament during a session in which the ruling coalition pushed through a series of election reforms. Ekwee Ethuro directed the House National Security Committee to look into the matter and report back to the House. "This is not a police state. This is a democracy," Ethuro told senators.

#INDIA: PM Modi Says Disruptions In Parliament Make Debate Impossible

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit out at the Opposition for disrupting Parliament and not letting him speak on the issue of the demonetisation of the nation's currency. "Parliament is not being allowed to function," he said, in a recent open-air rally. The Prime Minister has come under fire over his silence on the issue in Parliament. The Opposition is demanding that the Prime Minister's speak in the House during debate on this issue, in which the government has banned large-denomination banknotes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#KENYA: Opposition Rails Against New Election Law In Chaotic Special Session

[world politics news]

Security personnel besieged Parliament Monday, blocking all roads to the chambers, disabling internet and telephone communication during a debate on a controversial election reform bill. Opposition members briefly prevented the speaker of the House from entering the chamber, where the special session debated the changes, which the government said would make elections more transparent.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: MP Millie Odhiambo and other Opposition MPs protest at Parliament Buildings Monday during a Special Sitting of the House.

#KENYA: MP Returns After Ejection From Parliament, Vows To Continue To Interrupt President's Speeches

[world politics news]

Defiant Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi has said he would disrupt President Uhuru Kenyatta's addresses "again and again." Wandayi recently returned to parliament after being ejected after a chaotic March 31 session of parliament in which he and other opposition members consistently used a whistle to interrupt the State of the Nation address by Pres. Uhuru.

#ISRAEL: Knesset Passes Bill Allowing Expulsion Of Its Members

[world politics news]

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial law allowing MPs to expel colleagues for incitement, racism or support for armed struggle against the state that critics say is aimed mainly at Arab legislators. Opposition Israeli-Arab MPs said immediately they would appeal against the legislation at the country’s supreme court.

#TURKEY: Parliament To Strip Immunity From Pols After Parliamentary Fist Fights

[world politics news]

Turkey's parliament has pushed through a government-backed bill that will see some politicians stripped of their immunity from prosecution following embarrassing fist fights on the floor of parliament. The bill was passed by a majority of 348 out of 550 parliamentarians.  The initial vote signals support for the bill, which will go to a second, binding vote after a further day of debates.

#TURKEY: Brawl In Turkish Parliament Causes Two-Day Closure

[world politics news]

Violent tension between lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party  and the Peoples’ Democratic Party descended into a brawl during a session on April 27, delaying efforts to pass legislation on an EU migration deal.

#MALTA: Member of Parliament Threatens Female Colleague With Violence During Parliament Session

[world politics news]

Labour MP Joe Debono Grech can be heard on live TV telling a female member of parliament, Marlene Farrugia, "I'll come and beat you up" during a raucous session in which she allegedly accused him of being "corrupt." Farrugia resigned from the Labour Party last month.

#ALGERIA: Bill To Replace Oil Revenue With New Taxes Sparks Fights On Floor Of Parliament

[world politics news]

Tax legislation caused parliament to resemble a war zone before it passed, with insults, protests on the floor and even brawls breaking out. The legislation raises taxes on electricity and gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as 3G Internet. It's part of the government's plan to boost revenues hit by a plunge in the price of oil, a key export.

Pictured: fuel containers.

#KOSOVO: Oppo. Leader Directs Riots In Streets Opposing Minority Rights For Ethnic Serbs

[world politics news]

Police are seeking to  arrest the nation's opposition party leader after he led rioting in the capitol, Pristina. Albin Kurti has used pepper spray in parliament and was sought after being seen leading the protests against granting ethic Serbs more autonomy in this majority Albanian nation, which broke away from Serbia in 1999.

#JAPAN: Lawmakers Push, Shove During Emotional Debate About Overseas Military Deployment Bill

[world politics news]

Japanese lawmakers scuffled during a heated debate over a security bill that could see the military fight abroad for the first time in decades, after thousands rallied to voice their anger. In scenes uncommon for Japan’s normally sedate parliament, members of the opposition and the ruling coalition pushed and shoved each other.