The UK is holding a general election today, with a media blackout in place to ensure impartiality. While news outlets refrain from publishing political stories, social media remains unregulated. The election sees a record number of candidates vying for 650 seats in Parliament.
In a significant shift, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party has taken the lead in the first round of France’s parliamentary elections, leaving President Emmanuel Macron’s party in third place. Initial projections indicate the RN securing between 230 and 280 seats, falling short of a majority but a substantial gain. Macron’s Ensemble and its allies are projected to win between 70 and 100 seats, while the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP), could secure between 125 and 165 seats. This outcome marks a significant step closer to power for the RN, historically associated with racism and antisemitism under the leadership of Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. The elections were triggered by Macron’s party’s setback in the recent European Parliament elections, where the RN emerged victorious. Despite the outcome, Macron has committed to serving until the next presidential election in 2027.
Google Doodle celebrates the announcement of the results of the French Parliamentary Elections 2024, with the country’s far-right party leading after winning the first round. Exit polls suggest a close race with uncertainty surrounding the final outcome.
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.
In a significant milestone, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved its first-ever parliamentary win in Kerala, with Suresh Gopi’s victory in the Thrissur constituency. This marks the party’s entry into parliamentary representation in the state and is a result of increased outreach efforts among Christian communities. The BJP’s vote share in Kerala has risen from 15% in 2019 to 17% in the 2024 elections.
In a monumental shift in South African politics, the African National Congress (ANC) has lost its parliamentary majority in the first such election since the end of apartheid. With nearly 99% of votes counted, the ANC garnered just over 40% in Wednesday’s election, falling short of the majority it has held since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ANC will now need to seek coalition partners to remain in government and reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africans are heading to the polls on Wednesday, May 29, for a pivotal election that could potentially end the African National Congress (ANC)’s three-decade-long dominance, reports AFP. The ANC, founded by the nation’s independence movement leaders, is facing a formidable challenge in this election, which will see close to 28 million registered voters casting their ballots at 23,292 voting stations.
For the first time in decades, parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) witnessed a shift in electoral dynamics, with mainstream political parties taking center stage. The absence of separatists and a focus on local issues, such as Article 370, jobs, and police verification, marked a significant departure from past elections.
Russia has vehemently denounced the United States for allegedly interfering in India’s internal affairs and parliamentary elections by spreading unfounded accusations about a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Moscow has accused Washington of failing to provide concrete evidence to support its claims, describing them as an attempt to destabilize the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal pledges to establish 700 madrasas to compensate for the closure of 750 madrasas by the Assam government. The party plans to open these madrasas after winning the second and third phases of the parliamentary elections. Ajmal emphasizes the importance of education and intends to challenge the government’s decision in the Supreme Court.
