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☆ Germany sets early election date for February after collapse of the ruling coalition
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Germany is set to hold a federal election in February, earlier than Chancellor Olaf Scholz had originally proposed after his ruling coalition collapsed last week. The election is set to be held on February 23, according to sources within the parliamentary group of Scholz' social democratic party (SPD). It is a necessary step ahead of early elections in Germany as the chancellor must first call for the vote in parliament. Lindner was replaced by Jörg Kukies who was appointed as the new finance minister on November 7. Scholz' SPD and the Green party will form a minority government in Germany until the election in February.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Joerg Kukies, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Lindner, Jörg Kukies Organizations: Bundestag, Authorities, Green Locations: Berlin, Germany

CNN —Germany’s governing coalition has collapsed after disagreements over the country’s weak economy led Chancellor Olaf Scholz to sack his finance minister. The coalition has been at loggerheads over how to revive Germany’s economy. What problems is Germany’s economy facing? Germany’s economy, Europe’s largest, shrank last year for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Party leader Alice Weidel has already hailed the coalition’s collapse as a “liberation” for Germany.

Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner’s, Scholz, Donald Trump, Europe’s, Angela Merkel, Gerhard Schröder, Merkel, Christian Lindner, Christoph Soeder, Friedrich Merz, Lindner, Liesa Johannssen, “ Lindner, ” Lindner, ”, Carsten Brzeski, “, Robert Habeck, Annegret Hilse, Merz, Alice Weidel, ” Weidel Organizations: CNN, Free Democrats Party, Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, SPD, Green Party, CDU, Trump, Social Democratic Party, Greens, ING, Volkswagen, CDU –, Christian Democratic Union, Party Locations: Germany, Germany’s, Nazi, Thuringia, France, Italy, Ukraine, China, ”

☆ German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fires Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leaving ruling coalition in disarray
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday he had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, possibly bringing an end to Germany's ruling coalition after months of political wrangling. The three-year-old union between Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and Lindner's Free Democratic Party (FDP) has been on shaky ground for some time, with differing budget and economic policy positions causing tensions and clashes. It wasn't immediately clear if Lindner's departure would lead to the FDP exiting the coalition. Scholz said he would call for a vote of no confidence on Jan. 15 in parliament, raising the possibility of elections earlier than scheduled in March. But that is precisely not Christian Lindner's focus right now, he is focused on his own clientele."

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner, Scholz, Lindner Organizations: Scholz's Social Democratic Party, SPD, Greens, Lindner's Free Democratic Party, Green

CNN —German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister on Wednesday, leaving the government teetering on the brink of collapse. “The economy cannot wait until after the elections,” Scholz said. Trading barbsThe German chancellor and Lindner criticized each other in separate press conferences on Wednesday. Scholz told reporters “Lindner showed no willingness to implement any of our proposals” and, therefore, “there is no trust basis for any future cooperation” with the outgoing finance minister. The Chancellor also accused the finance minister of being “not about serving the common good but about serving his own clientele and party.” According to Scholz, Lindner will also be dismissed by the country’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Christian Lindner, “, – Scholz, Lindner, Robert Habeck, Trump, Habeck, Friedrich Merz ’, ” Scholz, Germany’s, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Angela Merkel, “ Lindner, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, Alice Weidel Organizations: CNN, Social Democratic Party, Free Democratic Party, Green Party, Lindner’s Free Democratic Party, Greens, Christian Democratic Union, CDU Locations: Germany, Nazi

☆ Germany's government is on the brink of collapse — here’s what could happen now
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg, noted that the three coalition partners have been acting "as if they were preparing to campaign against each other soon." Separately, the Green party's Robert Habeck, who is Germany's economy minister, proposed a policy plan to stimulate business investment that was criticized by the FDP. The Lindner paperAnother escalation took place on Friday, when Finance Minister Christian Lindner published a paper about reviving the struggling German economy. "The paper reads like a serious attempt to analyze Germany's problems and propose solutions. A hotly contested budgetA recent key issue within the coalition has been Germany's budget for 2025 — a topic that also features heavily in Lindner's paper.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Robert Habeck, Olaf Scholz, Sean Gallup, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Carsten Brzeski, Holger Schmieding, Scholz, Lindner, Greg Fuzesi, Morgan, Fuzesi, Berenberg's Schmieding Organizations: Climate, Bundestag, Getty, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, SPD, Greens, Free Democratic Party, ING, FDP, Green, ZDF Locations: Berlin, Germany

☆ German finance minister warns of retaliation if U.S. kicks off trade war
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Friday warned that if the U.S. kicked off a trade war with the European Union, there could be retaliation. Trade is one of the main pillars of the German economy, suggesting heightened tensions, uncertainty and tariffs would hit the country harder than others. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China, and the EU and China, have been rising throughout the year. Both the U.S. and EU have implemented higher tariffs and on some goods imported from China, citing unfair trade practices. China in turn has also announced higher temporary tariffs on some imports from the EU.

Persons: Christian Lindner, Janet Yellen, Lindner, CNBC's Karen Tso, Donald Trump, it's, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Trump Organizations: IMF, World Bank, German, European Union, International Monetary, Washington , D.C, Free Democratic Party, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, U.S, EU, Reuters Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, Washington ,, China, EU, Germany

☆ Lithuanians vote in parliamentary election with many looking for change despite a strong economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A recent survey by pollster Vilmorus says that the Social Democratic Party, led by Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, would top the poll, with twice as many votes as Šimonytė's Homeland Union. However no party would obtain more than 20% of the vote, forcing anyone hoping to govern to to look for alliances. "Šimonytė and the entire Homeland Union looks battered, worn out and they would better spend some time on the spare bench." In 2020, Šimonytė led her Homeland Union to victory in the parliamentary election. The runoff is Oct. 27, when the majority of single-member constituencies will vote to choose between the two leading candidates.

Persons: Ingrida, Rima Urbonaitė, Šimonytė, pollster Vilmorus, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Nemuno, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Žemaitaitis, Darius Mikalauskas, Urbonaitė, Gitanas Nauseda Organizations: Social Democrats, Union, Mykolas Romeris University, Social Democratic Party, Šimonytė's, Analysts, Homeland Union, Freedom Party, Liberal Locations: Lithuania, Vilnius, Belarus, Russia, Africa, Russia's Kaliningrad, Ukraine

☆ Far right wins close Austria election, a boost for Putin
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-29 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Freddie Clayton Is A Freelance Journalist Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Projections from ORF public television based on exit polls suggest that the pro-Russia, anti-immigration Freedom Party, or FPÖ, has finished first, with 29.1% of the vote. It appears to have knocked the ruling conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP), or Austrian People’s Party, into second place, with 26.2% of the vote. But it has fallen far short of an absolute majority in the tight election and will need help to form a stable government. But even if the party fails to form a coalition government, the result will serve as a symbolic victory for the far right. Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer has so far ruled out any coalition that includes Kickl.

Persons: Österreichische, Herbert Kickl, ”, Adolf Hitler, Kickl, Vladimir Putin —, Karl Nehammer Organizations: Party, Austrian People’s Party, Social Democratic Party of Austria, ÖVP, NATO Locations: Russia, Europe, Austria, East, North Africa, Ukraine, Germany, France, Netherlands

☆ Far-right wins close Austria election, a boost for Putin
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-29 | by ( Freddie Clayton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

People walk past election campaign billboards showing Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP) and Herbet Kickl of the far-right Austria Freedom Party (FPOe) on September 24, 2024 in Vienna, Austria. A far-right party founded by former Nazis appeared to have won Austria's election Sunday, in a result that could reshape Europe's political landscape and help tilt the balance of power between Russia and the West. They appear to have edged out the ruling conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP) or Austrian People's Party, into second place with 26.2% of the vote. But even if the party fails to form a coalition government, the result will serve as a symbolic victory for the far-right. The OVP is the only party that has been open to allying with the far-right party in the past, and it remains to be scene whether they will accept the role of sidekick this time around.

Persons: Karl Nehammer, Österreichische, Herbert Kickl, Adolf Hitler, Kickl, Vladimir Putin —, Alexander Smith, Carlo Angerer Organizations: Austrian People's Party, Freedom Party, Party, Social Democratic Party of Austria, ÖVP, OVP, NATO, NBC Locations: Vienna, Austria, Russia, Europe, East, North Africa, Ukraine, Germany, France, Netherlands

Though Austria is a member of the European Union, its far-right party leading the polls has strong links with Russian President Vladimir Putin — the bloc’s arch nemesis. The chairman and top candidate of the Freedom Party of Austria Herbert Kickl waves to supporters after kicking off his party's electoral campaign on September 7, 2024 in Graz, Austria. Kickl’s vision is to build “Fortress Austria” and “Fortress Europe,” as he put it during a debate on Austrian public television Thursday night. In 2016, party leader Heinz-Christian Strache signed a formal “cooperation pact” with Putin’s United Russia party. The FPÖ’s return is far from certain, currently polling at 27%, narrowly ahead of the ruling Austrian People’s Party on 25% and the Social Democratic Party of Austria on 21%, according to European polling aggregator PolitPro.

Persons: that’s, Adolf Hitler —, it’s, Vladimir Putin —, Peter Filzmaier, Kerms, Herbert Kickl, ”, Hitler, Kickl, Freedom Party of Austria Herbert Kickl, Alex Halada, Nazi ”, “, Karl Nehammer, Andreas Babler, Joe Klamar, Gabriela Bacher, Donald Trump, Heinz, Christian Strache, Karin Kneissl, Putin, Strache, Victor Orban, Bacher Organizations: Freedom Party, NATO, Ukraine, Moscow, European Union, Gratz, Freedom Party of Austria, Getty, Immigrants, “, Austrian, Nazi, Austrian People’s Party, Social Democratic Party, NBC, Trump, NBC News, Putin’s United, Social Democratic Party of Austria Locations: Austria, Russia, Europe, Graz, AFP, East, North Africa, Jerusalem, Austrian, Vienna, American, Austrian Republic, Ukraine, Putin’s United Russia, Russian, Moscow, Slovakia, Hungary, Republic

☆ Germany dodges a second far-right win, but only just
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Germany's Social Democratic Party narrowly beat the hard-right Alternative for Germany in Brandenburg. SPD's win came after a historic loss to the far-right earlier this month. AdvertisementAfter a historic loss to the far-right earlier this month, Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) party narrowly dodged another blow this weekend. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is projected to have won the election in the state of Brandenburg, albeit by less than two percentage points. Preliminary exit polls in Brandenburg showed the SPD at 30.9%, narrowly edging out the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with 29.2%.

Persons: SPD's, —, Olaf Scholz's Organizations: Germany's Social Democratic Party, Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, Service, Social Democratic Party, SPD, Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, Business Locations: Germany, Brandenburg

☆ Europe could be drifting into a downturn as France and Germany fight economic and political woes
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Europe could be drifting in to a downturn as its biggest economies, Germany and France, fight political and economic woes at home. In Germany, composite purchasing manager's index (PMI data) measuring business activity in both sectors, came in at XXXX, down from XXX in August. In France, meanwhile, the composite PMI fell in September to an eight-month low of 47.4 from 53.1 in August. In the euro zone as a whole, the PMI data showed a decline from XXX last month to XXX, in September. Once Europe's poster-child for growth, Germany is now likened to the "sick man" of Europe by economists.

Persons: Pariser, —, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, J.P, Greg Fuzesi Organizations: Pariser Platz, PMI, Social Democratic Party, SPD Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe, France, Brandenberg, Thuringia, Saxony, Morgan

These are now the new realities on all of Germany’s land borders. On September 16, Berlin ordered the “temporary reintroduction of border control” at Germany’s borders with Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France and Denmark. The calls for more checks on Germany’s borders also mark a step-change at the heart of the European Union from Merkel’s policies. In 2015, the long-serving, and ever popular former German chancellor Merkel opened Germany’s borders to migrants fleeing their homes - at the time largely Syrians because of the country’s civil war. The moves by Merkel became known as Wilkommenskulturand and set Germany apart on the world stage in liberal migration policy.

Persons: ” Slubice, “, Tom Knie, Olaf Scholz, ” –, Angela Merkel, Patrick Pleul, Bjoern Hoecke, ”, Victory, Alice Weidel, Scholz, …, ” Raphael Bossong, Merkel, Maja Hitij, Knaus, ” Knaus Organizations: CNN, German Federal, European Union, Getty, German Institute of International and Security Affairs, Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, Police, “ Locations: Frankfurt, der, “ Frankfurt, ”, Polish, German Federal Republic, Poland, Germany, Berlin, Germany’s, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Oder, Manheim, Solingen, Thuringia, East, Saxony, Brandenburg, “ Germany

☆ As Europe teeters further to the far right, the UK is doing the opposite
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Sunak, who conceded defeat on Friday morning UK time, will likely be replaced by Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. Labour's rise, largely telegraphed by pre-election polls, makes the UK a clear outlier in this year's political shifts in Western Europe. Still, the far-right faction there, Vox, struggled to gain a foothold, with only 9.6% of the vote, down from 12.4% in 2019. Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage on July 3, 2024.

Persons: —, it's, Rishi Sunak's, Keir Starmer, Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn, he's, Germany's Scholz, Alice Weidel, Tino Chrupalla, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Sean Gallup, Scholz, France's, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, FRANCOIS LO, Le, Giorgia, Massimo Di Vita, Archivio Massimo Di Vita, Spain's, Pedro Sanchez's, Vox, Geert Wilders, Nigel Farage's, Farage, Nigel Farage, Dan Kitwood, Richard Wike Organizations: Service, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Business, European Union, Parliamentary, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party, Marine, FRANCOIS LO PRESTI, Getty, Italy, June's, Democratic Party, Spain's People's Party, Party for Freedom, Nigel Farage's Reform, Reform, Pew Research Center Locations: Western Europe, Germany, Berlin, France, AFP, Italy, Europe, Netherlands, Clacton

☆ How Britain’s political parties got their colors
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

While these are the only two parties with a realistic chance of winning the election, other smaller parties across the British political system offer a veritable kaleidoscope of differing — and sometimes duplicate — colours. The Liberal Democrats (orange), and Reform UK (turquoise) and the Green Party (you guessed it), are all vying for votes. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during the launching of Labour Party election manifesto, in Manchester, on June 13, 2024. Among the smaller parties, color choices have sometimes been relatively straightforward – the Green Party uses green, unsurprisingly, due to its obvious connections with environmentalism. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, during an election campaign visit in Frome, UK, on May 30, 2024.

Persons: Sinn Féin, Dominic Wring, Rishi Sunak, Jeff J Mitchell, ”, Keir Starmer, Oli Scarff, Liberal Democrats —, Ed Davey, Hollie Adams Organizations: CNN, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform, Green Party, Scottish National Party, Northern, Wales ’ Plaid Cymru, UK’s Loughborough University . British, British, British Union of Fascists, Labour Party, Getty, Conservative Party, Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party, Lib, Bloomberg, UK Independence Party, Christian Democrats, Marijuana Party of Canada, Republicans Locations: Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, British Union, Manchester, AFP, Frome, UK, Europe

☆ Weakened Leaders of the West Gather in Italy to Discuss an Unruly World
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Mark Landler | Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy convenes the leaders of the Group of 7 countries on Thursday at a luxury resort hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea, she might be forgiven for thinking her guests are seeking a refuge. Britain’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is three weeks away from an election in which his Conservative Party is expected to be swept out of power. President Emmanuel Macron of France has called a snap parliamentary election after his party suffered heavy losses to the far right in European elections. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and his Social Democratic Party were humbled in those elections as well, while President Biden is in a dogfight with his predecessor, former President Donald J. Trump. Even Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan faces rising unrest within his Liberal Democratic Party and may lose his job this autumn.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, bode, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz of Germany, Biden, Donald J, Trump, Fumio Kishida Organizations: Conservative Party, Social Democratic Party, Liberal Democratic Party Locations: Italy, Ukraine, France, Japan

☆ Far-right, nationalist parties gain strong support in European Parliament election
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewEarly results for the European Union's parliamentary elections reveal a surge in support for far-right and nationalist parties, according to multiple reports. AdvertisementAP noted that since the 2019 European Parliament elections, far-right politicians have led in Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia and are part of ruling coalitions in Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands. The parties have gained support in large part due to anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, as well as policies focused on nationalism and identity, The Times reported. Representatives for the European Parliament did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Emmanuel Macron, Marine, Pen, Macron's, Macron, Olaf Scholz Organizations: Service, European, EU, The New York Times, Business, Sunday, France's National Assembly, National, Street, Associated Press, Germany's Social Democratic, Times, European Union Locations: France, Germany, France's, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Bollywood and Indian politics: Influence of Modi and BJP on world’s largest film industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

And most of these are Hindi films, meaning Bollywood holds an outsized influence on the country’s culture, identity and economy. A screengrab from the 2022 Bollywood film "The Kashmir Files." CNN reached out to several people from the film industry for this story, some of whom declined to be interviewed due to sensitivities around the topic. It encouraged some Bollywood filmmakers to “(lean) into the caricature of the Muslim villain,” he says. These films are growing fast; outside Bollywood, earnings from the South Indian media and entertainment industry have nearly doubled year on year, according to a 2023 report by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Persons: India’s, Narendra Modi, Indranil Mukherjee, ”, Raja Sen, “ It’s, Modi, Tanul Thakur, …, Veer Savarkar, –, ” Adah Sharma, Pandits, Vivek Agnihotri, ” Sudipto Sen, Debashree Mukherjee, it’s, Thakur, Sen, Darab Farooqui, Sonu Mehta, Farooqui, “, she’s, Aamir Khan, ” Farooqui, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mukherjee, Yash Chopra, ” That’s, ” Thakur, ” Sen, “ We’ve, ’, Dharmendra, Noemi Cassanelli, “ Something’s Organizations: India CNN —, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Observers, Hollywood, Republican, Modi’s, Getty, CNN, Ministry of Culture, of, Netflix, Columbia, Social Democratic Party of India, Hindustan Times, Columbia University, Journalists, Confederation of Indian Industry Locations: Mumbai, India, Kerala, Kashmir, Jammu, Columbia University’s, Middle Eastern, South, Jaipur, New Delhi, Pakistan, United States, Tamil Nadu

☆ Berlin senator attacked in library amid spate of violence against German politicians
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Stephanie Halasz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A Berlin senator was attacked while visiting a library on Tuesday, amid what appears to be an increasing trend of violence against politicians in Germany. Franziska Giffey, Berlin senator for economy, was hit over the head with a bag containing hard material as she visited the library in her district in the German capital Tuesday afternoon, the Berlin prosecutor’s office said in a statement. Giffey, a former Berlin mayor, described the moment of the attack on Instagram, saying “I suddenly felt a hard blow to my head and neck from behind. The Green party in Saxony wrote on X that its members would continue campaigning, and would not be intimidated. It also said it would support a draft law to increase legislation around protection against attacks on politicians.

Persons: Franziska Giffey, “, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s, Giffey, ” Scholz, Ursula von der Leyen, ” Organizations: CNN, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, SPD, Green Locations: Berlin, Germany, Dresden, Saxony

☆ Teen hands himself into police after attack on German politician
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Stephanie Halasz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A 17-year-old boy handed himself in to police after admitting that he attacked a German politician on Friday. The SPD Saxony branch blamed the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the violence. “Yesterday our top candidate for the European elections Matthias Ecke was attacked while he was installing posters and seriously injured. The seeds sown by the AfD and other right-wing extremists are sprouting,” SPD Saxony said on X Saturday. We must stand together against them.”“I wish Matthias Ecke a speedy recovery,” Scholz said.

Persons: Matthias Ecke, –, Greens Party –, Jörg, Urban, ” Olaf Scholz, ”, ” Scholz, Ecke Organizations: CNN, Friday, Police, Social Democratic Party of Germany, Saxony Police, SPD, Greens Party, CNN’s, ntv Locations: German, Saxony, Dresden, Germany, Eastern States, “

☆ Germany should legalize abortion up to 12 weeks, a government commission recommends
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Berlin CNN —Germany should overturn its 150-year old ban on abortions and make terminations legal within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a government-appointed panel of experts said on Monday. The procedure is de-criminalized up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, but anyone seeking a termination must attend a compulsory counselling session followed by a mandatory three-day waiting period. After 12 weeks, abortions are only allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as if the pregnancy or birth poses a risk to the mother’s physical or mental health. “(The commission’s) recommendations provide a good basis for the open and fact-based conversation that is now necessary,” German Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus said in a statement on Monday. The proposals from Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party would legalize abortion up to 12 weeks, a move more in line with some Western European countries.

Persons: Liane Woerner, “, Lisa Paus, Karl Lauterbach, ”, Donald Tusk’s, Andrzej Duda, Roe, Wade Organizations: Berlin CNN —, Reproductive, Social Democratic Party, SPD, Greens, Free Democrats, University of Constance, German Federal Statistical Office, Christian Democratic Union, Central Committee, Bishops ’ Conference, Family, German, Law, Justice Locations: Berlin CNN — Germany, Germany, France

☆ Croatia 2024 General Election: What to Know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Politics in Croatia have been dominated for more than 30 years by the party that led the armed struggle for a separate state from a disintegrating Yugoslavia. But the general election that takes place on Wednesday has left the Balkan nation’s governing party exposed to an unexpectedly strong challenge from populist forces. The Croatian Democratic Union, known as HDZ, first emerged in 1989 as an ethnonationalist champion of Croat primacy, but later evolved into a more conventional, pro-European, right-wing party. Opinion polls put HDZ ahead of its main rival, the Social Democratic Party, and a plethora of smaller groups. But swamped by corruption scandals, disquiet over the rising cost of living and anger over its aloof (critics say authoritarian) ways, HDZ has faced mounting pressure from both the left and right.

Organizations: Balkan, Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, Social Democratic Party Locations: Croatia, Yugoslavia, Croatia’s Parliament

☆ Portugal’s election shows a surge in support for the far right, reflecting a broader European trend
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic Alliance (AD) leader Luis Montenegro celebrates his victory as he addresses supporters at the party's election night headquarters, in Lisbon on March 10, 2024. Portugal's far-right Chega party on Sunday received a surge in support in the country's snap general election, reflecting a broader shift to the radical right across Europe. Portugal's center-right Democratic Alliance claimed victory in the vote, winning 79 seats in the country's 230-seat National Assembly — well short of a parliamentary majority. The incumbent center-left Socialist Party followed closely behind with 77 seats. The result — which saw the parliamentary representation of the Chega party quadruple to at least 48 lawmakers — gives the political right a combined majority.

Persons: Luis Montenegro, —, Pedro Nuno Santos Organizations: Democratic Alliance, Sunday, Assembly, Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party, Chega, Democratic Locations: Lisbon, Portugal's, Europe

☆ Explainer-What's Next After Portugal's Inconclusive Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The centre-left Socialist Party (PS) won 77 seats, down sharply from its absolute majority of 120 in the previous legislature, after the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa amid a corruption investigation. Failure to approve a budget usually means the government's collapse and a new election. Portugal's constitution sets out that a new general election cannot happen earlier than six months after a new legislature first convenes, nor in the six months before a presidential election, which is due in January 2026. AD'S POLICY PROPOSALSThe newly-formed AD is led by the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) - the Socialists' main traditional rival. Investors do not expect much divergence from established fiscal prudence and economic growth from an AD government.

Persons: Andrei Khalip LISBON, Antonio Costa, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Luis Montenegro, Andre Ventura, Rebelo de Sousa, Chega, Ventura, Sergio Goncalves, Aislinn Laing, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Democratic Alliance, Liberal Initiative, Socialist Party, Socialist, Conservative, Social Democratic Party, PSD, Socialists, Investors Locations: Montenegro, Portugal, Brussels

☆ Portugal election results: Luis Montenegro’s coalition claims slim win as radical right surges
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Vasco Cotovio | Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Democratic Alliance coalition won 29.5% of the 98.98% of votes counted early Monday, with the incumbent Socialist Party on 28.7%. The results are not final – but Socialist Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos has already conceded. Chega won 18%, a breakthrough for the radical right party and its leader, André Ventura, a former trainee priest and football pundit. For decades the Socialist Party and center-right Social Democratic Party – the main party in the Democratic Alliance – have taken turns in power. Andre Ventura, the leader of Chega party, speaks to journalists after voting in Lisbon on March 10, 2024.

Persons: Chega, Pedro Nuno Santos, André Ventura, Luis Montenegro, Democratic Alliance –, Antonio Costa, Andre Ventura, Nuno Cruz, Nuno Santos, ” Santos, Ventura’s Chega, –, ”, Ventura Organizations: CNN, Democratic Alliance, Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party –, Social Democratic Party, PSD Locations: Portugal’s, Portugal, Lisbon, Chega, Europe, Greece, Croatia, Western Europe, Costa, Montenegro

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