Wanderlust

Tag: election

  • Winner finally: who’s Mexico’s Andrés Manuel López Obrador?

    Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico City, 1 July 2018 Symbol copyright AFP

    The left-wing politician and previous Mexico Town mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador has promised no lower than to hold out a “radical transformation” in his u . s . and “eradicate corruption”.

    Mr López Obrador, who’s popularly known as “Amlo”, an acronym the usage of the entire initials of his title, you’ve received the presidency on the 3rd try – and must now placed his guarantees into action.

    The white-haired SIXTY FOUR-yr-vintage political veteran, led the polls and drew huge crowds in the course of the campaign with his rousing populist speeches.

    The presidential race was dominated by means of considerations over corruption and drugs-comparable violence.

    Message of renewal

    The president-pick ran under a 3-party coalition led through the leftist National Regeneration Motion party (Morena) I founded in 2014.

    Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Violence in Mexico spiked in 2017, surpassing ancient levels stated in 2011

    I drew grievance, or even ridicule, while I floated the idea of granting an “amnesty” to criminals.

    Standing up to Trump

    Faced with hostility in opposition to Mexico via US President Donald Trump, Mr López Obrador has maintained an perspective of proud defiance.

    I have stated that i might not permit Mexico to be Mr Trump’s “whipping boy”, however brought that he needs “friendship” and “mutual respect” with the us and that i would searching for to circumvent any industry conflict.

    Alternatively, I’ve blasted Mr Trump’s anti-immigrant policies as “irresponsible” and “racist”.

    Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption To a supporter at a rally holds a figure representing Mr López Obrador

    Mr Lopez Obrador”s management within the capital town won reputation for measures reminiscent of the launching of welfare programmes for the elderly and for joining efforts with telecom magnate Carlos Slender to revive Mexico Town’s downtown.

    In 2006, he made his first run for the presidency, narrowly shedding to Mr Calderon in an election thought to be Mexico’s such a lot arguable in up to date historical past as a result of the razor-thin difference in votes – best 0.56% – among the 2.

    Mr Lopez Obrador led mass protests in opposition to the consequences and denounced an “electoral fraud”. His supporters erected encampments and blocked traffic in Mexico Town for months.

    I tried once more within the 2012 election, and used to be defeated by way of the PRI candidate, Mr Peña Nieto.

    This time, I gained.

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  • Trump signs order to punish foreign meddlers in US votes

    Dan Coats speaking at White House Image copyright Getty Images Image caption US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats says officials are “taking nothing for granted” regarding election meddling.

    US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorising sanctions against any countries or individuals found interfering in US elections.

    The order instructs the intelligence community to monitor and report on attempts to disrupt election infrastructure as well as propaganda.

    The directive itself is not a sanction, but imposes bans or restrictions on suspected culprits.

    Mr Trump has been criticised for his response to alleged Russian meddling.

    There is some frustration among lawmakers that Mr Trump’s executive order could undercut congressional efforts to deter any election meddling in the US by foreign powers, according to CBS News.

    At a press briefing following the executive order, National Security Adviser John Bolton said the move was “intended to be a very broad effort to prevent foreign manipulation” of US politics, US media reported.

    National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said the directive was in response to alleged Kremlin interference in the 2016 presidential election.

    It is understood that Russia is not mentioned by name in the text, but US officials named that country along with China, North Korea and Iran as most likely to try to sway US elections.

    “We’re taking nothing for granted here,” Mr Coats said.

    Fraught subject for White House

    Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington

    With under two months until the first national US elections since 2016, the Trump administration is outlining how it would respond to the kind of election meddling senior intelligence officials say could be coming.

    The threatened sanctions are notable because they aim not just at foreign companies and individuals seeking to disrupt US electoral infrastructure – electoral databases, vote tabulation processes and the like – but also of propaganda campaigns and leaks of sensitive political information.

    The US intelligence community has concluded that in 2016 Russian operatives were unable to accomplish the former, but resoundingly successful in the latter.

    That this announcement came first as a leak to US news outlets and then as an announcement from National Security Advisor John Bolton underlines how fraught a subject it is for this particular White House.

    Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the 2016 Russian cyber-warfare efforts, asserting that the allegations are largely a result of Democrats seeking to shift responsibility for his victory away from their own failings.

    Now the intelligence community that the president has frequently belittled will have the power to respond to new assaults on the American democratic process. The question is whether the tools at its disposal will be an adequate deterrent.

    Media playback is unsupported on your device

    Media captionThe ways Trump and Putin see eye to eye

    US intelligence agencies concluded in 2016 that Russia was behind an effort to tip the scale of the US election against Hillary Clinton, with a state-authorised campaign of cyber-attacks and fake news stories planted on social media.

    Russia has denied these accusations.

    The president has drawn criticism for his response to Russian interference in the 2016 elections, particularly after he seemed to side with President Vladimir Putin during their Helsinki summit in July.

    Amid serious backlash from both sides of the aisle, the Republican president later explained that he “misspoke” and said he had “great confidence” in US intelligence.

    In June, the US slapped sanctions on several Russian companies and individuals for allegedly aiding Russia’s intelligence agency in cyber-attacks against the US.

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  • Brexiteers discuss leadership challenge

    theresa May Image copyright EPA

    Conservative MPs opposed to Theresa May’s Brexit plan have met to discuss how and when they could force her to stand down as prime minister.

    Around 50 members of the European Research Group (ERG) openly discussed “how best you game the leadership election rules,” a source said.

    Later, the Eurosceptic MPs are to unveil what they say is a solution to the Northern Ireland border issue.

    They have been under pressure to come up with alternative Brexit plans.

    ‘She has to go’

    One MP present at the meeting on Tuesday evening said the group considered “possible scenarios over the Autumn” depending on the deal the prime minister did or didn’t get with the EU, BBC political correspondent Jonathan Blake said.

    Image copyright PA

    The government says its plan for “harmonisation” with EU trade rules and a “combined customs territory” with the EU will avoid friction at the border.

    It says Parliament will be able to choose to diverge from the EU rules, “recognising that this would have consequences”.

    But critics say this would deny the UK the trade freedom it needs.

    The government’s Chequers plan has not yet been accepted by the EU. Both sides have also agreed on the need for a “backstop” to avoid new physical infrastructure on the border, irrespective of the final deal that is negotiated.

    Some Brexiteers have claimed the border issue is being “exploited” by the EU and Remain supporters to keep the UK closely tied to Brussels.

    Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Boris Johnson was among leading Tory MPs at an event discussing a “clean break”

    Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Mr Rees-Mogg said the border was the only thing standing in the way of the UK negotiating a free trade deal like the EU has with Canada.

    He added: “It is possible to move very swiftly to a Canada-plus style deal as long as we can come up with a scheme, which I think we have got for tomorrow, on how do you ensure a solution to the Northern Ireland problem that any reasonable person would accept?”

    Prime Minister Theresa May has said a free trade deal would not avoid a hard border and that this can only be achieved with “friction-free movement of goods” with no customs or regulatory checks.

  • Russia pension protests: New rallies sparked by means of competition name

    Russian Communist party supporters and country's left-wing movements carry red flags as they take part in a rally against the government's proposed reform hiking the pension age - 2 September Image copyright AFP/Getty Symbol caption Ongoing protests like this one closing weekend highlight President Putin’s sharp drop in recognition over pension reforms

    Recent protests against raising the retirement age are being held across Russia, after a call by means of jailed competition leader Alexei Navalny.

    Pension reforms have caused popular public anger, and Mr Navalny’s supporters have deliberate rallies in more than EIGHTY towns to capitalise on this.

    Concessions through President Putin, whose popularity has suffered over the problem, have didn’t stem the discontent.

    Protests have begun in Vladivostok and different cities in Russia’s A Long Way East.

    They coincide with elections for 26 heads of Russia’s EIGHTY FIVE areas, together with in Moscow, which are taking place on Sunday.

    Image copyright AFP/Getty Symbol caption Mr Navalny, observed right here best protests in Might, believes his imprisonment is to derail protests

    The lengthy-time anti-corruption campaigner has mentioned the collection of short jail terms he has confronted are designed to disrupt his political job. He has vehemently denied all charges against him.

    Barred from state TV, Mr Navalny was once avoided from operating against Vladimir Putin for president in March.

    “Putin and his government have plundered the budget for the prior 18 years,” Mr Navalny’s team mentioned in a statement previous to Sunday’s protests.

    “All that time they confident us there wouldn’t in any circumstance be a rise in the pension age. And now they are putting it up. The authorities are not listening to people and that suggests it’s time to take to the streets.”

    Mr Putin has stated the move to boost the retirement age for men and ladies had been delayed for years and risked causing inflation and increasing poverty.

    Postponing it further might threaten the steadiness and security of Russian society, he said.

    “any longer delay could be irresponsible,” he said. “Our decisions should be just and smartly-balanced.”

    Unions have alternatively warned that many is not going to reside long enough to say a pension.

    Tens of lots have rallied throughout Russia in up to date weeks and unusually for the rustic, the problem has drawn protesters from all sides of the political debate.

    Symbol copyright Vladimir Smirnov/TASS/Getty Symbol caption The outcry pressured Mr Putin to make a unprecedented televised deal with to the nation remaining month

  • George Papadopoulos: Ex-Trump advisor jailed in Russia inquiry

    George Papadopoulos and his wife Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos arrive at US District Court for his sentencing Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Symbol caption George Papadopoulos and his spouse Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos arrive at US District Court Docket for his sentencing

    the former Trump marketing consultant whose comments in a London pub sparked the us inquiry into possible collusion with Russia has been sentenced to 14 days in jail.

    George Papadopoulos, 31, told the court in Washington DC he used to be a “patriotic American” who made a mistake via lying.

    He pleaded to blame closing October to lying to the FBI in regards to the timing of meetings with alleged pass-betweens for Moscow.

    He used to be the primary ex-Trump aide arrested in the probe into an alleged Kremlin plot to sway the 2016 US vote.

    Who’s who within the Russia-Trump inquiry?

    In Friday’s sentencing, Papadopoulos was once additionally passed three hundred and sixty five days of supervised free up, TWO HUNDRED hours of community service, and an excellent of $NINE,500 (£7,350).

    Image copyright Getty Pictures Image caption George Papadopoulos and his spouse Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos arrive at US District Courtroom for his sentencing

    The Chicago local was once a London-based totally petroleum analyst sooner than he joined the Trump marketing campaign in March 2016 as a volunteer overseas policy adviser.

    Papadopoulos quickly made contact with a mysterious Maltese academic, Joseph Mifsud.

    The professor instructed Papadopoulos the Russians had “grime” on Mr Trump’s Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton in the form of “heaps of emails”.

    The young political operative advised Donald Trump, then a Republican presidential candidate, and different contributors of the campaign’s nationwide safety workforce that he may set up a meeting with President Vladimir Putin ahead of the November 2016 election.

    Symbol copyright Twitter/@GeorgePapa19 Symbol caption Papadopoulos says he used to be advised the Russians possessed “dirt” on Hillary Clinton

    A pre-sentencing statement remaining week read: “While some within the room rebuffed George’s be offering, Mr Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr Sessions, who gave the impression to like the idea and stated that the campaign will have to inspect it.”

    Papadopoulos advised CNN in an interview aired on Friday that Mr Trump “gave me a kind of a nod” and “wasn’t dedicated either approach” concerning the idea of a gathering with the Russian leader.

    But he said then-senator and now-Lawyer Common Jeff Classes “used to be in truth enthusiastic”. Last November, Mr Sessions testified to Congress that he had “pushed again” against Papadopoulos’ be offering.

    Image copyright Alexandrira, VA Sheriff’s Department

    American authorities have been alerted in mid-2016 after Papadopoulos told an Australian diplomat throughout a consuming consultation in a London pub approximately his conferences with Professor Mifsud. The envoy alerted US investigators.

    When the FBI interviewed him in January 2017, Papadopoulos falsely claimed he had met two individuals with Russian ties before he joined the president’s staff in March 2016.

    He had in reality met them after becoming a member of Mr Trump’s campaign.

    One individual used to be a Russian woman who Papadopoulos believed had connections to the Russian government.

  • Lula: Brazil’s jailed ex-leader barred from presidential race by way of electoral court docket

    Supporters of Brazil's former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in front of the Federal Police headquarters where Lula is imprisoned, Brazil, 31 August 2018 Symbol copyright Reuters Image caption Lula’s supporters often take to the streets in protest

    Brazil’s top electoral courtroom has ruled that jailed former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cannot run as a candidate within the presidential election as a result of his corruption conviction.

    Judges voted against his operating in October’s poll by way of a majority of six votes to one within the seven-member court.

    Lula, SEVENTY TWO, was leading in polls prior to the vote despite serving a 12-12 months jail time period for accepting a bribe.

    His felony team has stated they’re going to appeal against the court’s resolution.

    Brazil’s Workers’ Birthday Party (PT) later responded to the courtroom’s choice in a press release, announcing it might “struggle by means of all manner” for Lula’s candidacy.

    Symbol copyright Reuters Symbol caption Polls suggest around a 3rd of Brazilians could back Lula if he ran

    the former president is essentially the most top-profile particular person convicted within the sweeping Operation Automotive Wash anti-corruption research.

    In Spite Of his jail sentence, PT voted to appoint Lula as its candidate remaining month.

    Lula reportedly selected Fernando Haddad, former mayor of São Paulo, to run for the PT must he be avoided from doing so.

    Who is Lula?

    Serving as president from 2003 to 2011, Lula presided over a surge in financial growth and prime social programmes that left him with an 87% approval score on leaving office.

    But the previous leader surrendered to police in April after his corruption conviction.

    Media playback is unsupported in your instrument

    Media captionLula forced his way through crowds of his supporters to show himself in

    An appeal in January not only saw the courtroom uphold his unique conviction, but also build up the length of the sentence via -and-a-part years.

    Before Friday’s court docket judgement on whether he may just run, Brazil’s prosecutor common filed to bar his candidacy because of the regulation prohibiting individuals who have misplaced appeals against their conviction from standing.

    Regardless Of this, recent polls reportedly confirmed that round one-3rd of Brazilians may back Lula if he had been allowed to run, which would make him front-runner in October’s vote.

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  • Point Of View: Pakistan’s dirtiest election in years

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), chant slogans and wave flags during a campaign meeting ahead of the general election in Multan on July 22, 2018. Image copyright AFP Symbol caption PML-N supporters and others accuse the military of seeking to rig the election

    The run-as much as Pakistan’s common election on Wednesday has been marred through allegations of pre-ballot rigging, intimidation and the muzzling of the media, writes Gul Bukhari, who was briefly abducted by masked males in Lahore’s military cantonment space in June.

    Until a couple of months ago, protest chants accusing Pakistan’s powerful army of terrorism were rarely heard within the country’s primary cities.

    But they got here to principal Lahore on 13 July, the day former Top Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam returned from London to start out their jail sentences.

    Through ultimate Friday, the mantra – “ye jo dehshat gardi hai, is ke peehchay wardi hai” (“the army uniform is at the back of this terrorism”) – could be heard on the streets of Rawalpindi, not removed from army headquarters.

    In a stunningly brazen move, a hearing for a seven-yr-vintage narcotics case involving Mr Sharif’s PML-N birthday party stalwart Hanif Abbasi was moved forward from August to 21 July, and a lifestyles sentence handed down at 23:30 on Saturday, four days sooner than the overall election, effectively knocking him out of the race.

    Image copyright EPA Symbol caption Imran Khan is seen because the favorite of the military

    Contrary to the establishment’s expectations, the recognition of Mr Sharif and his birthday celebration held its floor after he was ousted on corruption charges in July remaining 12 months. His accusations of military interference caught the public’s creativeness.

    To counter this, a fierce crackdown at the media was unleashed. Market leader Geo Tv was once taken off air in April, and the distribution of Pakistan’s oldest newspaper, Dawn, has been disrupted for the reason that Might.

    After months of economic losses, Geo reportedly agreed to the security establishment’s calls for to self-censor and abide via strict pointers. After this surrender, the trade as a complete fell into line and none of the media houses dared show Mr Sharif’s political rallies or his daughter’s fiery speeches.

    More on Pakistan’s election

    Why the election issues The acid attack survivor working for parliament The attack on Pakistan’s media

    With the media on its knees, it used to be left to activists on Twitter and Facebook to continue the struggle. The voices here remained feisty and openly indignant on the judicial-army nexus, accusing them of violating their mandate and fighting electorate from exercising their will within the general election.

    The conversation on social media keeps to survive and thrive amid a terrifying onslaught of threats and abductions. Reporters, too, have taken to social media to air what they cannot on their screens or of their newspaper stories and op-eds.

    Mr Sharif seems to have received this round of the fight. Seen as a person who will have lived a cosy life in exile and attended to his severely sick spouse, he has again to Pakistan to stand certain incarceration in his struggle for civil supremacy.

    Successive opinion polls placing him beforehand against all opponents, and the social media backlash, indicate he has controlled to win sympathy for himself – and resentment at attempts via the judicial-army nexus to re-engineer the political panorama.

    With two days to head ahead of the election, sudden public defiance, especially in Punjab, a PML-N stronghold and hitherto a bastion of military energy, has resulted in redoubled efforts to tip the scales in favour of the security establishment’s favourite, Imran Khan.

  • Pakistan election: Who Is who and why it matters

    The campaign has also been marred via violent attacks – together with an IS-claimed attack in Balochistan on THIRTEEN July that killed just about ONE HUNDRED FIFTY folks.

    Who are the important thing gamers?

    Nawaz Sharif (PML-N), 68

    The 3-time top minister used to be disqualified from workplace last yr after a corruption research prompted by the Panama Papers. He went to London to spend time along with his unwell spouse, but made a dramatic return along with his daughter Maryam in early July, in spite of having been sentenced to 10 years in jail. The pair, convicted for their family’s unexplained ownership of luxurious London flats, are now in the back of bars.

    Mr Sharif blames the army for conspiring towards him because he has openly criticised them and seeks higher relations with India. the military denies any role. Nawaz’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, has led the PML-N marketing campaign and will be trying to turn into the following prime minister.

    Key quote: “What credibility will those elections have when the government is taking such drastic action in opposition to our folks and this crackdown is happening everywhere the country?”

    Current seats: 182

    A war of nerves among Pakistan’s military and Sharif

    Imran Khan (PTI), 65

    The former star global cricketer entered Pakistani politics more than two decades in the past, however he has never run a central authority. This time, many observers are yes that he is the army’s preferred candidate and that they’re working to undermine his opponents. Mr Khan and the army deny any collusion but he told the BBC that the present army chief, Gen Bajwa, “is probably the most pro-democratic man we’ve ever noticed”. The PTI is supported by means of controversial teams, including one linked to al-Qaeda.

    Key quote: “Pakistan’s factor is nothing to do with liberalism or fundamentalism. Pakistan has a topic of governance.”

    Current seats: 32

    Imran Khan scents victory in Pakistan vote

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (PPP), 29

    Oxford-educated Mr Bhutto Zardari is the newest political candidate from a long political dynasty. Each his mom, Benazir Bhutto, and his grandfather, Zulfilqar Ali Bhutto, served as prime ministers. Each were additionally killed – Ms Bhutto by way of an assassin and her father by means of an executioner. The 29-year-vintage PPP leader, who’s standing for parliament for the primary time, says he wants to implement his mom’s vision of a “peaceful, innovative, prosperous, democratic Pakistan”. Polls predict the birthday party will finish third.

    Key quote: “If all you’ve gotten to criticise me on is my age or my accessory then you definately truly can’t defeat me at the problems.”

    Current seats: 46

    Bhutto seeks ‘revolutionary Pakistan’ votes

    Where will the vote be won?

    The PML-N’s stronghold is Punjab province – Nawaz Sharif’s place of origin and the rustic’s richest and so much populous province. It has greater than part the 272 in an instant-elected seats within the National Meeting and can be the key battleground.

    Mr Khan’s PTI will have to make serious inroads right here in order to win. in the 2013 election, the celebration performed well in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    Analysts say Mr Bhutto’s PPP is widespread a few of the “rural class” and its voter base is focused within the southern province of Sindh.

    So what would possibly occur?

    in the context of an election the place two of the three main events have forged doubt on the legitimacy of the vote, analysts expect a decent race among the Sharifs’ PML-N and Mr Khan’s PTI. If neither birthday celebration wins a transparent majority, the strengthen of Mr Bhutto Zardari’s PPP and different parties might be a very powerful to forming a governing coalition.

    If the PML-N wins, India and the u.s. might breathe a sigh of reduction, given Mr Khan’s perceived closeness with the military and accusations that he is cushy on Islamist extremism. Even If Pakistan is a longstanding spouse in the US warfare on terrorism, its alleged coverage of militant teams active in neighbouring Afghanistan has lengthy irked Washington and President Trump has bring to a halt safety aid.

    The transgender acid attack survivor working for parliament

    If the PTI wins, the PML-N could lead on its supporters into the streets – especially if Mr Sharif is still at the back of bars.

    No topic who wins, then again, the military will are searching for to keep up its extremely robust role in Pakistan.

    Media playback is unsupported in your software

    Media captionDawn boss Hameed Haroon says the ‘deep state’ is influencing Pakistan’s election

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  • Mexico president-elect’s party fined over marketing campaign finance

    View of supporters of Mexican presidential candidate for the MORENA party, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, during a campaign rally in Texcoco, state of Mexico, on June 17, 2018 Symbol copyright AFP Symbol caption Morena won a majority in Congress and its candidate used to be elected president

    Mexico’s electoral authority has fined the birthday celebration of President-choose Andrés Manuel López Obrador $10m (£7.7m) for breaking campaign finance rules.

    The National Electoral Institute (INE) imposed the high-quality on the Morena celebration over a trust it had created for victims of September’s devastating earthquake.

    INE stated it had discovered “profound irregularities” within the approach the consider was set up and the cash handled.

    Morena mentioned it could appeal in opposition to the advantageous, the top imposed on any celebration.

    The birthday celebration won a majority in Mexico’s Congress and its candidate, Mr López Obrador, widely known via his initials as Amlo, won the presidency within the general election on 1 July.

    Image copyright EPA Image caption The earthquake shook valuable Mexico on 19 September 2017

    However in keeping with INE, the birthday party didn’t file forming the accept as true with and didn’t claim the place the money taken out of the accept as true with went.

    The fund raised 78.8m pesos ( $4.1m; £3.2m), INE says.

    The research came after a rival birthday party, the Institutional Progressive Birthday Celebration (PRI) accused Morena of the usage of the accept as true with to channel public finances to its electoral marketing campaign.

    INE dismissed that accusation however discovered that the fund was “opaque” and broke electoral regulations which ban events from giving money on to contributors of the public.

    INE member Ciro Murayama said that “it isn’t an isolated case of irregular habits however a scheme of parallel finance where a accept as true with is created, that’s allowed, but the authorities don’t seem to be informed…

    “the purpose of the accept as true with – to give the inhabitants cash – is illegitimate for a celebration”.

    Morena’s major opponents, the PRI and the Nationwide Action Birthday Celebration (PAN), have been additionally fined, although their fines were not as top.

    PRI for funnelling state cash earmarked for workers’ salaries into their marketing campaign fund and PAN for accepting budget from non-public firms, that’s no longer allowed beneath electoral regulations in Mexico.