#ROMANIA: Syrian Husband Of Prime Minister Choice Is Supporter Of Syria's Assad

[world politics news]

The Social Democratic Party's proposal for Prime Minister, Sevil Shhaideh, is reportedly raising concerns among Romania’s international partners. The potential PM’s husband is said to be a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a leader whose authority has been challenged by the U.S. and other Western countries. Shhaideh, of Tatar and Turkish origins, would be the first woman and fist Muslim prime minister of Romania. Assad has been accused of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Western countries, but has Russia's support.

#INDIA: Oppo. VP Rahul Gandhi Calls For Bribery Investigation Of PM Modi

[world politics news]

Opposition Congress Party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has demanded an investigation into allegations that two Indian conglomerates paid millions of rupees in bribes to the prime minister Narendra Modi when he was chief minister of Gujarat. Gandhi said the allegations dating between 2013-14 were found in diary notes and computer records of the Sahara Group and the Birla Group and were in the possession of income tax authorities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAN: Pres. Rouhani Signs "Charter of Citizenship Rights"

[world politics news]

Pres. Hassan Rouhani has signed into law a landmark bill of rights, guaranteeing freedom of speech, protest, fair trials and privacy, saying the achievement was "one of my oldest dreams" despite Iran being considered one of the biggest human rights violator with an unprecedented number of executions in the past three decades. Although many of the rights are already enshrined in Iran’s constitution written after the 1979 Islamic revolution, Rouhani said it offered the first clear list of principles that could be used to check the performance of state institutions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ROMANIA: Ruling Party Proposes First Woman, First Muslim Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Romania could have its first female prime minister, an economist who is a member of the country's small Muslim community. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday he would appoint a prime minister designate after Sunday as he needed time to assess a proposal made by the Social Democrat Party, winners of a Dec. 11 parliamentary election. Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the PSD, proposed that Sevil Shhaideh take the post of prime minister. The announcement was a surprise because her name is not widely known in Romania.


[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.

#UK: PM Theresa May Refuses To Commit To Final Brexit Vote In Parliament

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Theresa May has refused to commit herself to giving Parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal, as she came under sustained pressure from members of the House of Commons Liaison Committee, May said she would make sure MPs had a "proper opportunity" to consider her plans for Brexit before she triggered Article 50 early next year, but refused to say that the Commons would have a vote on the final deal agreed with Brussels.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ECUADOR: National Assembly Overwhelmingly Passes Trade Deal With EU

[world politics news]

The National Assembly has approved the Protocol for Ecuador's Accession to the Trade Agreement with the European Union in a lopsided 97-1 vote. The agreement with the EU is said to benefit Ecuadorian trade by allowing the entry of agricultural and industrial products into the bloc with zero tariffs, which could translates into $2.7 billion.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Freedom Party Leader Vows Close Ties To Putin's Party; Meets With Trump Advisor

[world politics news]

President-elect Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, met with the leader of a far-right Austrian political party that has close ties with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin. The leader of Austria's Freedom Party, Heinz-Christian Strache, wrote on his Facebook page Monday that he met with Flynn "and a few other high-ranking US politicians" a few weeks ago at Trump Tower, including Flynn, whose ties to Russia have come under fire. He noted in the post that his party had recently signed a cooperation deal with Putin's United Russia Party.

#KOSOVO: Parliament Debates Prison Death Of Activist For Six Hours

[world politics news]

Kosovo MPs spent more than five hours debating the mysterious death in prison of the opposition activist Astrit Dehari while demonstrators rallied outside the parliament. MPs from the ruling coalition of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, and the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, had earlier refused to discuss the matter on the grounds that they were awaiting the official forensic report. Both parties backed a motion stating that if the family required extra expertise from the EU or the US, the authorities would pay for it.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ARMENIA: New Law Allows Legislators To Switch Parties & Parties To Expel Members

[world politics news]

Parliament has voted to allow parliamentarians to be able to switch political parties. The National Assembly also gave parliamentary factions the authority to expel opposing members from their ranks. Some were concerned that rouge legislators were speaking against their own parties while enjoying all the benefits of membership in those parties, and of being a legislator.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#POLAND: Gov't Drops Plans To Restrict Press Access To Parliament After Mass Protests

[world politics news]

Poland's president says he has received a pledge from leaders of the populist ruling party that they won't introduce restrictions on media access in parliament, a plan that had sparked days of bitter protests. It was a victory for opposition parties and activists who had staged mass protests. It is the second time that the ruling populist Law and Justice party has stepped back from disputed measures due to street protests.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHKOREA: Impeached Pres. Park Calls Her Impeachment "Baseless"

[world politics news]

Pres. Park Geun-hye has said that no serious crime was committed to justify her Dec. 9th impeachment, calling all allegations in the National Assembly impeachment motion as "groundless." Stripped of power, she's now awaiting the Constitutional Court's deliberation on the impeachment, and is urging the court to wait for the results of a criminal trial of suspects in the corruption scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Parliament Approves Deal With Utilities Over Nuke Waste Storage Costs

[world politics news]

Germany's lower house of parliament approved a new law on Thursday which will see the country's top utilities pay into a US$24.8 billion state fund from next year in return for shifting the liability for nuclear waste storage to the government. The new legislation removes uncertainty over how to pay for the costs of storing nuclear waste, giving investors greater clarity over the finances of Germany's top four utilities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: National Assembly Extends State Of Emergency Past 2017 Election

[world politics news]

France’s parliament has voted to extend a national state of emergency until 15 July, after next year’s elections. The security measures, in force since attacks in Paris that killed 130 people in November 2015, are now expected to be approved by the Senate. It is the fifth extension of the state of emergency, which gives police extended powers of search and arrest.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GREECE: Parliament Passes Austerity Budget; Hopes For 2.7% Growth In 2017

[world politics news]

Greek lawmakers have approved a 2017 budget that projects a return to strong economic growth next year but also impose a wave of tax hikes and austerity cuts prescribed by its international lenders. The government hopes the economy will expand by 2.7% in 2017, supported by impact of bailout cash inflows and resurgent private demand. It also sees a primary surplus, excluding debt-servicing costs, of 2% of GDP.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Foreign Min. Seeks Continued "Freeze" In EU Membership Talks With Turkey

[world politics news]

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz is set to continue his pursuit of a freeze in the EU’s membership process with Turkey, which is likely to remain "frozen" by the EU Parliament. Kurz also says he is also eager for Austria to act as a bridge between the West and Russia.

#KENYA: Pres. Urges Violence-Free Election In 2017 As Pre-Election Violence Flares

[world politics news]

Pres. Uhuru Kenyatta has given a tough warning against possible election violence to opposition parties ahead of next year's elections, telling them to take election disputes to the courts, not to the streets. The warning came as pre-election violence is already flaring in several counties between factions. He said Kenyans should not forget what happened in 2007 and 2008 after political differences escalated into ethnic hatred, leading to the post-election violence in which 1,133 people were killed and another 650,000 were left homeless.

#ITALY: Newly Installed Gov't Said To Be Short-Lived "Caretakers" Until New Elections

[world politics news]

Italy's parliament on Wednesday approved a new government which is widely said to be so short-lived that its inauguration was seen as the start of battle for the next election. Incoming Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni of the Democratic Party was previously foreign minister in the government of Matteo Renzi, who resigned after the crushing defeat of his government reform referendum. The government was approved by a vote of 169 to 99 in the Senate.


[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Diet Approves Controversial Law Paving The Way To Legalized Casino Gambling

[world politics news]

The Upper House of the Diet has approved legislation paving the way towards legalized casino gambling in Japan for the first time. The legislation gives Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government a year to develop specific plans on issues such as licensing operators and preventing gambling addicts from using casinos. Further legislation in coming years will enable the first casino to open in the early 2020s. It's part of Abe’s drive to make Japan a more tourism-oriented nation. It as backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and conservative opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Parliamentary Office Investigates Trudeau Spending On Fighter Jet Costs

[world politics news]

Six years after ripping into the Conservative government's cost estimates for F-35 stealth fighters, Parliament's budgetary watchdog says it is digging into the "interim" Liberal plan to purchase Super Hornet jets. The Liberal government announced last month it wants to buy 18 Super Hornets as a stop-gap measure until a competition can be held in five years to find a replacement for the air force's aging fleet of CF-18 fighter jets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHKOREA: Impeachment Probe Uncovers "Secret" Doctor Visits To President

[world politics news]

The impeachment probe into corruption and influence-peddling charges against Pres. Park Geun-hye has uncovered not only secret visits to the presidential residence by a friend accused of influencing the president, but also of "shadowy" doctors. It's alleged that the doctors were visiting to perform a cosmetic procedures on the president. Opponents claim the visits distracted her during national emergencies.

#GERMANY: EU Parl. Pres. Closes In On Merkel In Pre-Election Polling For 2017

[world politics news]

Outgoing European Parliament President Martin Schulz has gained tremendous ground in a new poll, emerging as a potential threat to Chancellor Angela Merkel in next year’s election. When Schulz announced last month that he would not seek a new term as EU Parliament President to return to German politics, he was immediately pegged by German media as being a potential candidate for Chancellor for the Social Democrats to run against Merkel. A new poll shows him out-polling the current SPD leader, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORWAY: Trump Inspires Formation Of New Anti-EU Nationalist Party

[world politics news]

Norway’s number one fan of Donald Trump, Hans Jorgen Johansen Lysglimt, says Trump's victory and the British "Brexit" from the EU has inspired him to seek to establish a new political party. Johansen will launch "Alliansen–Norge ut av EØS" - Alliance-Norway out of the EEA (the European Economic Area) - next week. He says it's time for Norway to opt out of the EEA and fight for greater national sovereignty.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JAPAN: Upper House Passes Trans-Pacific Partnership, Unlikely To Become Operational

[world politics news]

Japan's Upper House has passed bills to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal and prepare related measures, despite the fact that incoming US Pres. Donald Trump's opposition to the deal means it will likely never come into effect. The TPP calls for Japan to scrap tariffs in phases on 95 percent of its imports, including agricultural and industrial goods. The pact also stipulates a wide range of trade and investment rules including protection of intellectual property rights and settlement of investment disputes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NEWZEALAND: Bill England Chosen By National Pty As New PM Replacing Key

[world politics news]

More than 14 years after he failed in a tilt to become the country's leader, Bill English is poised to become New Zealand's 39th Prime Minister. The job will officially become vacant after John Key's formal resignation at Government House on Monday afternoon.  English will be named as the National Party leader after a caucus vote in the morning, with Paula Bennett named as his deputy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: A Fox In The Hen House: Anti-Tax Dodge Crusader Convicted Of Tax Evasion

[world politics news]

Former French Budget Minister Jerome Cahuzac has been handed a three year jail sentence for hiding millions of Euros abroad while he was leading a crackdown on tax dodgers at home. The 64-year-old former rising star in the Socialist Party was also accused of under-declaring the value of his fortune when he took up his ministerial post in 2012 with a remit that included cracking down on tax evasion.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWEDEN: Russian Ambassador Assures Wary Swedes: "No Plans" For Russian Invasion

[world politics news]

Russia has "no plans whatsoever to invade Sweden", its ambassador in Stockholm has said. Ambassador Victor Tatarintsev made the comments in a press interview. Relations between the two countries have been frosty for some time, with Sweden accusing Russia of showing aggressive tendencies and Russia dismissing the concerns as James Bond theories.

#GAMBIA: Dictator Who Conceded Election Tries To Take Back Concession

[world politics news]

Long-reigning Gambian Dictator Yahya Jammeh, who last week surprisingly conceded to his rival after a decisive victory, is now taking back his concession and is challenging the results. Some irregularities have narrowed his loss to newcomer Adama Barrow to 4 percentage points, but regional and world leaders are condemning his reversal, and say it could spark bloodshed, as the army splits into factions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THENETHERLANDS: Leading Anti-Islam Pol. Convicted of "Inciting Hatred" Against Moroccans

[world politics news]

Geert Wilders, whose party is leading in the polls to be the next government of the Netherlands, has been convicted by a 3-judge panel of inciting hatred against Moroccans by leading a chant against that nation's immigrants. Wilders denounced the ruling as a blow against free speech, but the court imposed no penalties and he is unlikely to face any at the polls, either. In fact, the controversial mass immigration of Muslims will likely continue to fuel his party's rise.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: With Polling Down, Merkel Considers Burka Ban "Wherever Possible"

[world politics news]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the wearing of full-faced veils should be prohibited in the country "wherever it is legally possible." At a meeting of her CDU party, she backed a burka ban in schools, courts and other state buildings. It is widely accepted that a total ban would violate Germany's constitution. Merkel was re-elected CDU leader, but faces a tough challenge by the right-wing anti-immigration AfD party in next year's election.

#CANADA: Auditor Slams Ontario Liberal Gov't Spending Practices

[world politics news]

Ontario's Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk has a bucketful of criticism for how Kathleen Wynne's Liberal government is spending tax dollars. In her new annual report released Wednesday, Lysyk bemoans "excessive" wait times for hospital beds, reveals shoddy highway paving by contractors, and unveils that the government's own projection for its cap and trade program will see the majority of its cuts to greenhouse gas emissions come from outside Ontario, despite its $2 billion yearly price tag.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SWITZERLAND: In Lower House Bill, Citizens Get Priority Over Foreigners In Hiring

[world politics news]

The smaller chamber of parliament has backed legislation by a Liberal-Radical MP for implementing the immigration initiative approved by Swiss voters in 2014. The concept proposed by Philipp Müller foresees Swiss residents being prioritized over foreign workers for job vacancies. The right-leaning Swiss People’s Party championed the legislation, a less stringent version of which was passed this week by liberal parties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Posters for and against the 2014 referendum on tightening hiring standards for migrants.

#CAMBODIA: King Pardons Opposition's Kem Sokha At Request Of PM To Cool Tensions

[world politics news]

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has granted a royal pardon to a leader of the main opposition party, at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen, holding out hope for compromise after a period of rising political tension. Kem Sokha, a leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was sentenced to five months in jail in September after failing to appear in court in connection with a case against two of his party colleagues.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#DENMARK: Center-Right PM Invites Libertarians, Conservatives Into Government

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has shored up his minority government by bringing in the libertarian-leaning Liberal Alliance and the Conservative People's Party. Rasmussen presented a 22-member cabinet that includes six posts for LA and three for the Conservatives. In the cabinet shuffle, number of high profile politicians swapped portfolio and a handful of veteran politicians were left without a job.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: Human Rights Groups, Opposition Parties, Say New Law "Shackles" NGOs

[world politics news]

Six liberal and leftist parties and 22 human rights groups have condemned a bill rushed through parliament last month that would severely restrict and regulate Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs.) Activists are critical of the law, which turns NGOs into entities affiliated to the government in a flagrant violation of the constitution and international conventions. Opponents say the law shackles NGOs and impede them from having any meaningful role in society. The bill must be approved by the State Council before becoming law. The Council is a judicial body  that can reject legislation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: Five Star Founder Denies #BuzzFeed Accusation Of Backing "Fake News" Sites

[world politics news]

The leader of Italy's populist Five Star Movement party appears rattled by accusations that it is behind a network of fake news sites. A BuzzFeed News investigation which accused the 'anti-establishment' party of being behind a network of blogs and websites spreading propaganda and fake news.  Five Star Party founder Beppe Grillo tweeted that "BuzzFeed's inquiry is fake news," and accused traditional media of publishing fake news and pro-Renzi propaganda.

#SOUTHKOREA: Opposition Parties Say They'll Impeach Pres. Park In Friday Vote

[world politics news]

Opposition parties say they will hold a parliamentary impeachment vote on scandal-tainted Pres. Park Geun-hye this Friday, while her own party remains undecided on whether to force her out of office. Park has offered to resign and has asked parliament to decide how and when she should step down over the influence peddling scandal but the opposition has rejected it as a delaying tactic to avoid impeachment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THEPHILIPPINES: VP/Housing Sec. Robredo Told Not To Attend Cabinet Mtgs.; Resigns Housing Post

[world politics news]

Vice President Leni Robredo is stepping down as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, a position she was appointed to, and held in addition to her position as vice president. She cited "irreconcilable differences" with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, and resigned after receiving a text message saying Duterte wanted her to "desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting Monday, December 5." She said she fears an effort to "steal" the vice presidency from her. She's opposed extra-judicial killings of suspected drug dealers that Duterte has encouraged, and his approval of the re-burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in a special cemetery.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GAMBIA: Authoritarian Pres. Jammeh Will Step Down After Defeat by Upstart Candidate

[world politics news]

Yahya Jammeh, an authoritarian president who ruled for 22 years, has confirmed he will voluntarily step down after being beaten in an election by property developer Adama Barrow. "I will help him work towards the transition," Jammeh said on state TV, after speaking to the president-elect by telephone. Barrow, 51, who has never held political office, won last Thursday's election with 45.5% of the vote.

#NEWZEALAND: PM John Key Announces Resignation, Cites Family And Personal Sacrifices

[world politics news]

John Key is resigning as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Key made the announcement at his weekly press conference this afternoon. Key, his voice shaking with emotion, cited family as the reason. "This is the hardest decision I've ever made and I don't know what I'll do next." He said the job had required great sacrifices, "from those who are dearest to me." The National Party will meet Dec. 12 to choose a new leader, who will become prime minister.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: PM Renzi Resigns After Clear Defeat Of Gov't Reform Referendum

[world politics news]

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will resign Monday morning after a clear and decisive defeat of his government reform referendum Sunday. The proposals, which gained about 45% support according to exit polls, were aimed at strengthening the political system, which has endured dozens of changes in governments since World War II. Renzi said the reforms would have cut Italy's bureaucracy and made the country more competitive.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#AUSTRIA: Indie Green Candidate Van der Bellen Defeats Right-Wing Pres. Candidate Hoffer

[world politics news]

In a result sure to be welcomed by supporters of  the European Union, Green Party-backed independent Alexander Van der Bellen, 72, swept 53.6% of the votes in Austria's run-off election Sunday, while his rival Norbert Hoffer of the anti-immigration Freedom Party received 46.4%, projections showed. On Facebook, Hoffer described himself as "infinitely sad" and congratulated Alexander Van der Bellen, former head of the Greens, on his victory. Although the post is ceremonial in Austria, the poll had been seen as a sign of how well populist candidates might do elsewhere in Europe.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THENETHERLANDS: Lower House Of Parliament Bans Face Veil For Muslim Women

[world politics news]

The Dutch parliament has overwhelmingly voted to ban face veils in some public places, a law the government said was essential for security, but which opponents said pandered to anti-Muslim sentiment. The law, passed by the lower house but still requiring the senate's approval, bans veils and other items that hide the face such as ski masks and helmets in places including government buildings, public transport, schools and hospitals.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

#EU: European Parliament Passes "Watered Down" Pollution Law

[world politics news]

The European Parliament has passed a new draft law on air pollution that the European Commission and several members of parliament argue is not enough to cut emissions to World Health Organization standards. The law seeks to cut in half the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution and targets many EU states already violating existing air pollution limits.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORWAY: Small Party Breaks Ranks With Gov't Over Budget, Putting Coalition In Danger

[world politics news]

Norway's minority government is facing a crisis as the small Christian Democratic Party broke off budget negotiations, putting the coalition with the Conservative Party in danger of collapse. Prime Minister Erna Solberg's government has until December 5th to find a majority in parliament with its centrist allies, the Christian Democrats and Liberals, to pass its 2017 finance bill.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Norwegian PM Erna Solberg.

#GERMANY: EU Parl. Pres. May Seek Chance To Take On Merkel in 2017

[world politics news]

Martin Schulz, currently serving as the president of the European Parliament, is reportedly returning to German politics to seek the leadership of the Social Democratic Party. As party leader, he would take on Chancellor Angela Merkel. The party is currently the junior coalition partner of Merkel's Christian Democrats. Schulz's term as EU parliament president ends in January.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EU: EuroParliament Freezes EU Membership Talks With Turkey Over Press Crackdown

[world politics news]

The European Union's Parliament has suspended talks with Turkey over its potential membership in the Eurozone over its continued crackdown on its free press and against political dissent. Turkish diplomats reacted angrily to the vote, which may affect a previous deal with the EU to hold back Syrian refugees from flooding into the continent from the war-torn nation. Despite that threat, Members voted 479 in favor on the motion amending EU-Turkey relations, with 37 against and 107 abstentions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Parliament Rejects Motion To Investigate Frmr. PM Tony Blair Over Iraq War Claims

[world politics news]

After a heated debate, it was Labour MPs turning out in force that helped defeat a parliamentary motion calling for Former Prime Minister Tony Blair to be held to account for allegedly misleading parliament over the Iraq war. The vote was 439 votes to 70. The vote was initiated by the Scottish National Party foreign affairs spokesman Alex Salmond, and was backed by MPs from six other parties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: BREAKING: Pres. Hollande Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election

[world politics news]

Facing historically low polling numbers, French Pres. François Hollande has announced in a live TV broadcast - and later on twitter - that he will not seek re-election in next spring's presidential election. Hollande defended his record as president before declaring that he will not be a candidate again. In the past year, unemployment has soared in France. Former Prime Minister François Fillon and National Front Leader Marine LePen are now seen as the two front runners in the election.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#ITALY: Proposed Budget Violates EU Rules, EU Officials Warn

[world politics news]

Italian deputies have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a draft 2017 budget that the European Commission has warned will breach EU rules on the management of public finances.
A vote of confidence designed to curtail debate on the first reading of the budget bill was carried by 348-144 votes, making its definitive approval by the lower house of parliament on Monday a formality. Italy was one of eight Eurozone countries warned last week that they could face fines and restricted access to funds from Brussels over their failure to stick to the EU's Stability Pact rules.

[FULL STORY HERE]