Results for: Presidential Election

Iceland’s Presidential election is set to take place on Saturday, June 1, with a total of 12 candidates vying for the position. The incumbent, Gudni Th Johannesson, is not running. The race has become increasingly intriguing as surveys indicate a close proximity among the top three candidates. Katrin Jakobsdottir, a former prime minister, has shown a decisive lead in one poll, while Halla Tomasdottir, an equality advocate, enjoyed a lead in another poll. In a third poll, Jakobsdottir and Tomasdottir were tied. The election process in Iceland allows any person to contest with around 1,500 signatures in support, leading to a substantial number of initial candidates, with 13 qualifying for the final election.

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.

A video posted to Donald Trump’s social media account on Monday included references to a ‘unified Reich’ among hypothetical news headlines if he wins the election in November. The word ‘Reich’ is often largely associated with Nazi Germany’s Third Reich, leading to concerns about the potential implications of Trump’s language. The video was posted while Trump was on a lunch break from his Manhattan hush money trial and has since been removed.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with the country’s foreign minister and several others, were confirmed dead on Monday after their helicopter crashed into a mountainous area in Iran’s northwest, according to state media. Article 131 of Iran’s Constitution dictates that the first vice president assumes temporary presidency in the event of the president’s death during their term, subject to confirmation by the supreme leader. Currently, Mohammad Mokhber holds the position of first vice president. A council comprising the first vice president, the parliament speaker, and the judiciary head must organize a new presidential election within a maximum period of 50 days.

Former President Donald Trump vowed to double down on tax cuts if re-elected, contrasting his stance with President Joe Biden’s proposed tax increases on businesses and high earners. Trump’s comments emphasize his focus on reducing taxes for all income brackets, while Biden aims to eliminate tax cuts benefiting households earning over $400,000 and raise levies on wealthy individuals and corporations. The expiration of personal income tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 law in 2025 will necessitate tax negotiations regardless of the election outcome.

Comedian and Real Time host Bill Maher has declared adult film actress Stormy Daniels a ‘bad witness’ in the Donald Trump Manhattan trial, accusing her of changing her story from a 2018 interview. Maher pointed out that during the interview, Daniels denied her affair with Trump being a ‘Me Too case’ and claimed she wasn’t ‘assaulted, attacked, or raped.’ However, in the ongoing trial, Daniels has alleged that Trump was ‘bigger’ and ‘blocking the way,’ using ‘buzzwords’ associated with Me Too allegations. Maher questioned the credibility of her altered testimony, emphasizing that she is a ‘porn star’ who is ‘used to having sex with people she doesn’t [like]’ and would therefore not likely ‘black out.’ The comedian expressed concern that Daniels’ changing narrative could impact the presidential election race, as Democrats had hoped the trial would damage Trump’s chances. However, with Daniels’ testimony now in question, Maher fears that Trump may not lose as previously predicted.

Indian-American Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently suspended his presidential campaign, was informed by Ann Coulter that she wouldn’t have voted for him due to his Indian heritage. Coulter made the comment during her podcast, leading to Ramaswamy publicly addressing her racist remarks on social media. While disagreeing with her views, Ramaswamy respects Coulter’s honesty. Coulter has clarified her stance, highlighting her admiration for Ramaswamy’s intelligence and articulation while reiterating her objection to voting for him solely based on his Indian background. The incident has sparked a debate on racism and its impact on political discourse.

A recent Gallup poll reveals that a growing number of Americans are concerned about the state of the economy, which has surpassed immigration as the top issue of concern. Seventeen percent of respondents rated the economy as the country’s primary problem, with concerns rising steadily over the past few months. This trend comes ahead of the presidential election in November, where the economy is expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome. President Biden has highlighted economic growth but faces persistent concerns among Americans, especially in key battleground states. Immigration remains a significant concern for 27% of Americans, despite a decline in illegal border crossings. The poll also suggests that Republicans are more likely to view immigration as a top issue than Democrats. Other concerns include the government, with 20% of respondents ranking it as the country’s primary problem.

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West believes that both major American political parties are beyond saving. He points to the crisis in the Republican Party, the neofascism of former President Trump, and the undercutting of the Democratic establishment as reasons for his lack of faith in either party. West, an intellectual and activist, has been a fierce critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has defended his third-party candidacy as a moral imperative despite concerns that it could undermine President Biden’s reelection bid. West has also criticized Robert F. Kennedy, another independent presidential candidate, for his comments about Palestinians. West believes that there is a variety of different Palestinian voices in the resistance movement and that Hamas does not speak for every Palestinian. He also believes that it is important to address the history of killings and occupations before discussing counter-terrorist responses.

Muizzu’s stunning parliamentary victory has heightened fears of a return to autocratic rule in the Maldives. His party’s overwhelming majority could enable him to amend the constitution and consolidate power, potentially eroding democratic institutions and judicial independence. Moreover, Muizzu’s strained relations with India and lack of external economic support, particularly from China, have raised concerns about the country’s financial stability.