#CANADA: Parti Québécois Leader Vows New Seccession Vote For Quebec

[world politics news]

Quebecers will have one “ultimate” chance to prevent their language and culture from being “erased,” by voting Yes in another independence referendum sometime before 2030, the leader of the Parti Québécois said Sunday.

If the PQ takes power in the 2026 general election, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said, the party will move rapidly to organize another referendum — the third in Quebec history — because in his view the conditions for Quebec to become an independent country have never been clearer and Quebec’s status in Canada has never been bleaker.

He said the Province could be independent by 2030. The PQ was in power in 1980 when it held the first referendum on Quebec's place within Canada and whether Quebec should pursue a path toward sovereignty. 65% of Voters chose to stay within Canada.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#IRELAND: Voters Reject 2 Referenda Questions In Defeat for PM

[world politics news]

Voters in the Republic of Ireland have overwhelmingly voted against amending the Irish Constitution.

Proposals to alter wording in the constitution to include families which are not based on marriage were defeated with 67.7% voting 'no'.

A second proposed change on the wording around the role of women in the home was defeated by a higher margin with 73.9% of voters rejecting it.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

AUSTRALIA: Voters Decisively Reject Aboriginal "Voice" Plan For Parliament

[world politics news]

Advocates for constitutional change in Australia said they were devastated by the defeat Saturday of a referendum that would have created an advocacy committee to offer advice to Parliament on policies that affect Indigenous people, the nation's most disadvantaged ethnic minority.

More than 59 per cent of voters opposed Voice to Parliament, with almost half the votes counted by Saturday. The loss is unofficial but is not contested. All six states voted against the plan. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed his political opponents' campaigning against the measure for the failure. Critics say backers of the Voice were vague on details of the body, including how its members would be chosen and its powers. Opponents also called the plan racially divisive.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#AUSTRALIA: August Vote On Special Aboriginal Voice In Parliament Approved

[world politics news]

Australia’s House of Representatives voted overwhelming last Wednesday for a referendum to be held this year on creating an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, an advocate aiming to give the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic minority more say on government policy.

While the Voice would advocate for Indigenous interests, it would not have a vote on laws, and debate for and against the elected body has become increasingly heated and divisive.

Labor Party Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who supports the referendum and creation of the position,  celebrated on twitter: 

BREAKING: Parliament has just said yes to holding a referendum. Now the Australian people will have a chance to say yes. 

Together, we can make history by enshrining recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution."

But Opposition leader Peter Dutton  (Liberal)   told Parliament the proposal would permanently divide Australians by race. “It will have an Orwellian effect where all Australians are equal, but some Australians are more equal than others,” Dutton said.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

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.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#SWITZERLAND: Farming Reform Defeated In Referendum

[world politics news]

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a referendum motion that would have put an end to factory farming in the country.

Almost two-thirds of those who cast a ballot opposed the initiative, which would have outlawed intensive farming methods.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#DENMARK: Voters Support Joining EU Defense Ops In Referendum

[world politics news]

Denmark is ready to join the European Union's common defense policy after a referendum Wednesday, an exit-poll showed, the latest shift among Nordic countries to deepen defence ties in a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

About 69% of voters supported reversing the nation's long-standing policy of opting out of EU defense operations.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#BELARUS: Sunday Referendum Will Decide On Nukes In Belarus

[world politics news]

 

Belarus is holding a referendum to adopt a new constitution that would ditch its non-nuclear status, at a time when the country has become a launchpad for Russian troops invading Ukraine.

The vote on Sunday is almost certain to pass under the tightly controlled rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, bringing nuclear weapons back on Belarusian soil for the first time since the country gave them up after the fall of the Soviet Union.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#ITALY: 70% Back Referendum To Cut Size Of Parliament By A Third

[world politics news] 

Italians have voted in a referendum to cut the size of the country's parliament by more than a third. Almost 70% of people voted to support he change, with almost all votes counted.

The number of MPs in the lower house will be reduced from 634 to 400. The senate will also be downsized.

The referendum was pushed by the Five Star Movement, part of the governing coalition, which argued that the move would reduce costs.

[FULL STORY HERE] 

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

#ALGERIA: Parliament Approves Constitutional Amendments; Sends To Popular Referendum

[world politics news] 

The National People's Assembly, the lower house of parliament, has unanimously voted in favor of several constitutional amendments, amid a boycott of the opposition blocs.

The draft amendments, which will go to a referendum on November 1st, oblige the president to appoint a prime minister from the party that has the majority in parliament.

[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

[world politics news]

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

[world politics news]

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.


[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#RUSSIA: PM And Gov't Resigns, Putin To Reorganize Gov't Structures To Hold Onto Power

[world politics news]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a major restructuring of government four years ahead of the end of his current term in office. The proposed changes will face a national referendum.

The move to restructure government will be seen as a way for Putin to hold onto power after his term ends in 2024. He has held power in various positions in Russia since 1999.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the entire government is resigning in a surprise statement released shortly after Putin delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address.

It is believed that Putin will accept the position a leader of the security council, which will have greatly expanded powers under the reforms he's proposing. Medvedev will serve as the council's deputy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#CHILE: Referendum Set For April To Consider Amending Constitution Following Violent Protests

[world politics news]

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has signed a decree on holding a referendum regarding the amendment of the country's constitution on April 26, 2020, thus implementing the agreement with the opposition amid ongoing anti-government protests.

The decree was signed in the presence of journalists and stipulates that the citizens are set to answer whether they want a new constitution and which body should develop the new document. As for the body, it could either partially include the current lawmakers or be fully formed by new ones through a vote in October 2020.

[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

[world politics news]

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.

#NEWZEALAND: Euthanasia Referendum Passes Second Reading Hurdle In Parliament

[world politics news]

Parliament has narrowly voted to put the decision on legalizing assisted dying before voters. The 63-57 vote would put a referendum on the ballot at the next election.

The polarizing legislation – which would let terminally ill adults request voluntary euthanasia – now has to pass a third reading in the House in November. If it does – which is likely - the public will have the last word next year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#GIBRALTAR: Parliament Approves Legal Abortion; Goes To Voters In 2020

[world politics news]

The Gibraltar Parliament last night approved an amendment to Gibraltar's crimes legislation that will allow abortion under certain circumstances. The legislation was approved by 10 votes in favour and seven votes against, but will not come into force immediately. Instead, the legislation will be put to the community in a referendum on March 19, 2020.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Brexit Delayed Until June 30, Giving PM May Time To Reach a Deal; Unpopular Second Referendum Soundly Defeated

[world politics news]

British MPs on Thursday voted decisively against delaying Brexit in order to hold a second referendum, dashing the hopes of pro-European campaigners who want a new public vote. Three years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, only 85 MPs voted in favor of the amendment and 334 voted against, with most lawmakers from the main opposition Labour Party abstaining from the vote. Parliament then voted 412 - 202 in favor of delaying Brexit to June 30, extending Article 50 to give Prime Minister Theresa May more time to break the deadlock.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Labour Party Commits Itself To Seeking Second Brexit Referendum

[world politics news]

Labour Party Leader Jeremy Cornyn says his party will seek a second vote on Brexit, after weeks of wavering on the decision. The opposition party will file legislation to delay Brexit and prevent a "no-deal" break from The European Union from happening.

The decision was condemned by Brexit supporters, who called it a "betrayal" of the 2016 vote, in which over 17 million Britons voted to leave the single trading bloc.

Nigel Farage, leader of his newly created "Brexit Party," noted that millions of Labour supporters actually voted to Leave the EU. "Five million people who voted for Brexit then voted for Jeremy Corbyn the following year. For them, this is a disaster," he said. "A majority of Labour seats voted to Leave."

Pictured: Nigel Farage

[FULL STORY HERE]

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

#UK: Three MPs Leave Conservative Party Over Brexit; Will Join Labour MPs in "Independent Group"

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Theresa May is under renewed pressure after the three members of parliament announced they would be leaving the Conservative Party, saying the country "deserved better."

All three have campaigned for a second Brexit referendum alongside Labour Party rebels Chuka Umunna and Luciana Berger.

Former Conservative MP Heidi Allen said May had been "bullied into submission" by the European Research Group of Conservatives who are demanding that she honor the 2016 Brexit vote, in which voters supported leaving the European Union.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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