Randal B.’s Post

My latest piece for Truthdig is an introduction to Iran's new president #pezeshkian and some analysis around his winning the election and what it could mean for #iran and the West: https://lnkd.in/emTEW6c9

“Ingouvernable” has become the buzzword in France to describe the country after its chaotic snap election, which no party won. The specter of political deadlock threatens to paralyze the French administration and hit financial markets. The critical question that political analysts pose is whether the French political elites have political stamina to influence the coalition of parties. As none of the three political blocs won enough seats to form a government, parties have no choice but to start talking about forming alliances. That’s a rare exercise in French politics, where compromises with political opponents are usually denounced as betrayal. The major task for France’s new, fragmented political system is to identify an individual who could serve as prime minister and assemble a functioning government that will be able to pass laws in the National Assembly. Macron made clear that he would only appoint a prime minister backed by a “solid, necessarily plural” coalition, as he called for “calm and respectful” efforts to seek compromise.

This Thursday we turn our attention once again to France. Many people in Brussels are watching this election closely following the French results in the EU Parliamentary polls. Now the Council is the legislator in focus for those in EU affairs as France decides how their own government will be composed. Our analysts will discuss the key pointers to watch: • What do the latest polls tell us about second round races? • Will France be put into Excessive Deficit Procedure during the campaign? • Will Le Pen continue to play by the Meloni playbook? • What are the chances of a right-wing coalition? • How likely can the left implement its disruptive fiscal programme? • What would happen in a hung parliament? 🗓 Thursday 20 June 🕒 15.00-15.30 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ewY6xgUH

Big News Alert! 🚀 Euroconsumers made it into the latest edition of The Parliament 🎉📰 Our article spills the beans on the Euroconsumers’ Election Fever Report, covering Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This isn’t just any survey – it’s a deep dive into what citizens really think and feel about the EU. Despite the love-hate drama between the EU and its citizens, the report shows we’re all dreaming big for the future. Want to know more? Check it out and get the inside scoop! 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eaU2Uiuq

New EU leadership to maintain course on countering Russia — Orban Аfter the June 6-9 elections to the European Parliament, "right parties have grown stronger, while the left and the liberals lost their positions", Hungarian Prime Minister noted BUDAPEST, June 18/ The new EU leadership will maintain its course towards the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine and countering Russia, contrary to the will of the majority of Europeans, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, commenting on the outcome of the informal EU summit in Brussels. "They ignore reality, they ignore the outcome of the European elections, and they ignore the will of the European people. Let us not be naive: they will continue to support migration and will send more and more money and weapons to the war between Russia and Ukraine," Orban said on social media. The prime minister noted that, after the June 6-9 elections to the European Parliament, "right parties have grown stronger, while the left and the liberals lost their positions." However, he continued, "instead of listening to voters’ opinion," the politicians from the largest European Parliament faction - the European People's Party - joined their efforts with the left and the liberals. On Monday, "they struck a deal and distributed EU management offices among themselves," the prime minister, who attended the summit in Brussels, said. "We will not succumb to that! We will unite the efforts of the European right, and we will fight with the bureaucrats, who advocate migration and war," Orban assured. #business #finance #financialservices

Power Part 6 We said " Legislatures can exist at different levels of government–national, state/provincial/regional, local, even supranational (such as the European Parliament). " "The European Parliament (EP) is one of the legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union (known as the Council and informally as the Council of Ministers), it adopts European legislation, following a proposal by the European Commission. The Parliament is composed of 705 members (MEPs), due to rise to 720 after the June 2024 European elections. It represents the second-largest democratic electorate in the world (after the Parliament of India), with an electorate of around 375 million eligible voters in 2024; India's electorate is 968 million." "European Union"  Do you remember one year ago I discussed NATO "the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states—30 European and 2 North American. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949" Do you remember the world finally found peace in alliance? Now "The European Parliament (EP) is one of the legislative bodies of the European Union" Is it another successful mindset of alliance? In your opinion is it something beneficial that we have unity in our Legislatures around the world? Is the Legislature something we should consider more about fundamentals ?

In the ongoing political discourse, the Prime Minister has openly contested the Congress stance on reservations, Article 370, and wealth redistribution. Conversely, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has raised pertinent queries regarding potential constitutional alterations, the electoral bond scheme, and the government's approach towards China. Furthermore, an invitation for a televised debate has been extended. Let the conversation unfold. #PoliticalDebate #PublicDiscourse #CurrentAffairs #Rahul #Modi #LokSabhaElections2024

🔔 Long-Term Bets in Turkish Politics 🇹🇷 My latest article: "Long-Term Bets in Turkish Politics" Over the past year, we've seen significant shifts: Erdoğan's Electoral Victory: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his presidency, yet the political landscape remains turbulent. Opposition's Comeback: Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu showcased their strength in the local elections, positioning themselves as key challengers. Détente and Dialogue: Despite a surprisingly peaceful post-election period, this is far from a return to democracy and normalcy. Key Points: Erdoğan's Challenges: Economic issues, succession planning, and managing the nationalist MHP alliance are crucial hurdles for the regime. Opposition's Strategy: The opposition, gaining popularity among young and educated voters, is strategically waiting out Erdoğan's regime. Explore the complex dynamics and the potential future of Turkish politics. 🌍🗳️ 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e-Ben3Rs #TurkishPolitics #Erdogan #CHP #MHP #PoliticalAnalysis

As 400 million Europeans get set to elect 720 EU parliamentarians in June, polls are predicting big gains for right-wing populists. As a result, for the first time since the European Parliament was directly elected in 1979, it is expected to have a solid majority on the right. This will mark a “sharp right turn” for Europe, the European Council of Foreign Affairs (ECFR) recently noted. The consequences for European politics and policy are already coming into view. https://lnkd.in/dhdgRwcw

Why have the President of the Republic, the Government and the assemblies never called referendums, particularly on major social reforms, in the absence of a consensus likely to emerge in Parliament? Would they be afraid that the people do not have the necessary discernment? Or to be stripped of their powers?  When the People are sovereign and the arbiter of last resort? Wouldn't resorting to a dose of direct democracy be useful to overcome the current political divisions and allow France to move forward?