Sri Lanka Appoints First Female Prime Minister in 23 Years

Sri Lanka has appointed Harini Amarasuriya as its new Prime Minister, marking a historic moment as the first woman to hold the post since 2000. This appointment follows the recent election of a new President and sets the stage for a snap parliamentary election in November. Amarasuriya, an academic and rights activist, brings a unique perspective to the role and is expected to prioritize education, social justice, and gender equality.

Macron Meets Le Pen Amid French Political Deadlock

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted far-right leader Marine Le Pen for talks, as he faces increasing pressure to name a prime minister after the inconclusive parliamentary elections. The meeting comes amid a political stalemate with no single party holding a majority in the National Assembly, forcing Macron to navigate a complex political landscape.

France’s Prime Minister Search Stalls as Disagreements Plague Left-Wing Coalition

France’s search for a new prime minister has hit a snag as disagreements within the left-wing coalition, New Popular Front (NPF), have stalled the process. The NPF, despite emerging as the largest bloc in the recent parliamentary elections, has failed to agree on a candidate, with the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the Socialist Party at odds. The proposed candidate, Huguette Bello, withdrew due to lack of consensus, leaving the search for a new prime minister back at square one.

France’s Far-Right National Rally Wins First Round of Parliamentary Elections, Macron’s Party Trails

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.

French Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers for Snap Parliamentary Elections

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.

BJP Makes Historic Victory in Kerala Parliamentary Elections

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.

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