France’s legislative elections are heading for a tense second round, with President Macron facing a possible stalemate after his gamble on snap polls. Polls suggest the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen won’t secure a majority, but a fragmented parliament could lead to political instability and a weakened Macron.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has predicted that the Narendra Modi-led government at the center could fall by August. He urged party workers to be prepared for early elections, claiming that the government is weak and vulnerable.
The McGonagle Reader, a new audio-tactile device, is helping blind and partially sighted voters in the UK cast their ballots independently. Developed by Pakflatt, the device complies with the Elections Act 2022, which mandates accessibility for all voters. Despite positive reception, there’s still a need for greater accessibility in voting for the visually impaired.
India’s recent general election saw a decisive victory for the opposition, delivering a blow to the ruling right-wing forces and their divisive rhetoric. The results offer a glimmer of hope for a more inclusive democracy, but also highlight the ongoing challenges of liberalism and the need for a more rational and just approach to governance.
Global equity markets and the euro rose on Monday, driven by relief that France’s far-right party, the National Rally, is unlikely to win an absolute majority in legislative elections. The outcome has eased fears of high fiscal spending and mounting debt, which had weighed heavily on markets. Markets also welcomed a slowdown in German inflation and signs that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates this year.
French voters flocked to the polls in record numbers for the first round of snap parliamentary elections, with the far-right National Rally (RN) party poised to take power in a historic first. The high turnout, fueled by concerns about the economy and social divisions, could see the RN win the most seats in the National Assembly after the second round on July 7. President Emmanuel Macron’s gamble to call snap elections after his centrist forces suffered defeats in recent elections risks backfiring, with his alliance predicted to come only third behind the RN and a new leftist alliance.
The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for an independent investigation into alleged interference in Pakistan’s 2024 elections. The resolution, which was overwhelmingly supported by US lawmakers, expresses concern over reports of intimidation, violence, and restrictions on internet access during the elections. The Pakistani government has criticized the resolution, claiming it stems from a misunderstanding of the country’s political situation and does not reflect the positive state of bilateral ties.
After multiple delays and political disputes, the autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq has announced that parliamentary elections will be held on October 20. The elections were originally scheduled for October 2022 and faced several postponements, most recently due to a controversy surrounding the number of seats in the legislature. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) initially boycotted the elections after a federal court ruling reduced the number of seats, but later reversed its decision after five seats were reserved for minorities. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the other major political force in the region, has consistently advocated for holding the elections.
As voting commenced on Wednesday for the biennial elections to four seats of the Maharashtra legislative council in Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik regions, these areas are observing a dry day. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed the state excise department to enforce three dry days affecting Mumbai, Konkan, and Nashik divisions. Liquor sales and services are prohibited from 6 PM on June 24 until 6 PM on June 26 and on the day of counting, July 1. The move has drawn criticism from some liquor shop and bar owners, who view it as indicative of mistrust towards the educated and limited voter base participating in these elections. The ECI’s directive is expected to result in a loss of around ₹100 crore in excise revenue per day.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged young people to reject far-right ideologies, citing a rise in support for extremist parties in recent European elections. He attributes this trend to a lack of hope and security among the youth, driven by economic inequality and concerns about the future. Scholz advocates for addressing issues like labor rights, climate change, and artificial intelligence to restore faith in the future and counter the appeal of extremism.
