Mexico is now facing one of the most crucial elections in decades. It is the largest one in the country’s history, with more than 18,000 seats being contested at the local, state and federal level. Depending on the outcome, voters will either endorse fundamental and dramatic change or support continuity. In addition to the presidency, the 88 million Mexicans eligible to vote, will be choosing 128 senators, 500 deputies in Congress, 9 governors, 1,600 mayors and who will occupy thousands of local […]
Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia’s Only Democracy Under Siege
Kyrgyzstan remains the only Central Asian country, that retains a functioning democracy. In the 27 years since the end of the Soviet Union, democratic institutions have been under siege in the region. As the smallest of the former Soviet Republics, Kyrgyzstan at just 6.1 million, held a competitive election last October. It may well be the last one. Since independence, Kyrgyzstan has officially been a unitary parliamentary republic. It has continued to be one, despite ethnic conflicts, a number of revolts, transitional […]
In South Africa: The Zuma Presidency Finally Comes To A Definitive Close
After repeated attempts of removal and growing controversy, the Zuma Presidency has now come to an end. The allegations of corruption and the ongoing criminal investigations, have eroded the base within his own political party. The ceaseless chaos within the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has seriously impacted the financial stability and economy of South Africa. On the 13th of February, the national executive committee of the ANC, announced it had recalled President Zuma. This had occurred after the President had ignored […]
The Twilight Of The Merkel Era And Post-Reunification Germany
Germany, the leading economy in Europe, has been without a government since last September. Although the conservatives under Chancellor Angela Merkel remain the largest party, they cannot create a government without finding partners to form a coalition. Months have passed, where various aggregations and political comprises have failed, which was raising the specter of either a minority government or new legislative elections. Germany has been in danger of joining the group of European nations, with relatively weak or minority governments like Italy, […]
Nuclear Breakout In North Korea Due To A Failure In United States Foreign Policy
The United States remains headed for a military confrontation with North Korea, as rhetoric on both sides continues to escalate. Criticism has been leveled against the new American President, that his bombastic tone, is intensifying the hostility between the two countries. In truth, the present crisis is the result of a failure in American foreign policy, towards preventing a nuclear breakout by North Korea. The military threats emanating from North Korea, is increasing the insecurity in East Asia. After two missiles flew […]
Nepal Communist Parties Cinch An Electoral Win Under New Constitution
The legislative elections that were held in Nepal on November 26th and December 07th was a landslide victory for a far leftist alliance, under the new constitution. It has been 3 weeks since the UML (Unified Maoist-Leninist) and the Maoist Centre together, ensured a communist led government for 2018. The more centrist and liberal Nepali Congress party, had dominated the political scene for over a quarter of a century,as the days of monarchy spiraled down. They had become over these years, the […]
In Zimbabwe: An Era Comes To An End With The Ouster Of Robert Mugabe
The political end of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, came swiftly and unexpectedly. After leading the country since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, he was forced to leave office, once the military had consolidated control away from him. The former 93 year old President had clung to power, even as his mental faculties began to fail. He was attempting to engineer a gradual transfer of power to his wife, when he lost control over events. As the worlds oldest […]
In Honduras President Hernandez Coasts To An Easy Re-Election
President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been in office since January of 2014. He is now running for re-election. According to the 1982 Constitution that action, would have been illegal. Two years ago, the Supreme Court of Honduras ruled the prohibition on term limits was to be lifted. The previous law was enacted to prevent a single person, from accumulating too much political power and attempting a dictatorship. Public opinion polls puts the conservative Hernandez at 56%, that is 15% ahead of his […]
The Resurgence Of The Political Right in Chile Will Be Limited
In Chile, the era of President Michelle Bachelet is entering its twilight. Her second term which began in 2014, will be ending on a sour note. Her center-left government, has failed to provide the economic growth, that her reforms were promised to bring. Now along with being tarnished with corruption, due to family scandal, her overall approval rating has dipped to just 23%. Only 46% of those eligible to vote cast their ballots in the first round of voting, to choose a […]
In Saudi Arabia A Future King Makes A Grab For Power And Wealth In Effort Of Transformation
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman has moved for a second time in 2017, to consolidate his power. He ordered the arrest of many influential and wealthy members of society, including the removal of the chief from the National Guard. Later it was announced, the massive wealth of these individuals, was going to be confiscated as well. In June of this year, the Crown Prince usurped his older cousin as heir apparent. He has since become an agent of […]