insert_link World French PM urges united front to stop far-right takeover By Stuart Williams France's prime minister on Wednesday urged voters to form a united front to block the far right in legislative elections, warning the anti-immigration party of Marine Le Pen was the only faction capable of winning an absolute majority. With four days to go until the second round in the polls, France's political future remains up in the air as the far-right […] todayJuly 3, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa South Africa inaugurates unprecedented unity government South Africa's new unity government under President Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in on Wednesday, the first of its kind in the country after 30 years of rule by the ANC. Ahead of the 32 ministers -- from six parties -- making up the cabinet, Paul Mashatile, who has been re-appointed deputy president, was the first to take the oath during the televised ceremony in Cape Town. […] todayJuly 3, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa S.Africa’s new centre-right government promises unity, action South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's new coalition government heralds a pragmatic centre-right shift as opposition parties take control of more than a third of ministries, bringing hope for better governance but also cohesion fears. The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, keeps 20 of the 32 cabinet positions, including foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police. The historied party […] todayJuly 1, 2024 4
insert_link World The far-right has surged to the lead in France’s elections. But forming a government remains a tall order By Romain Fathi, Australian National University Exit polls after the first round of the French legislative elections indicate the far-right National Rally party leading with about 34% of the vote. The New Popular Front (a coalition of parties from the far left to the moderate left) was in second with about 28% and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition was a distant third with about […] todayJuly 1, 2024 11
insert_link Africa South Africa’s coalition government – making the case for hope By Brian Levy, Johns Hopkins University In the aftermath of South Africa’s recent election, renewed hope has made an unexpected appearance. In difficult times, even small gains can be valuable. But, on occasion, much more is possible. Small gains can feed on each other; momentum can build; a virtuous spiral can take hold. This may be such a moment. It’s not ordinarily a […] todayJune 26, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa South African parliament meets as ANC nears coalition deal By Julie BOURDIN, with Zama LUTHULI in Johannesburg South Africa's newly elected parliament met Friday and was expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government as his humbled ANC raced to cobble together a deal. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo opened the first sitting of South Africa's seventh parliament since the advent of post-apartheid democracy in 1994, swearing in MPs in batches […] todayJune 14, 2024 19
insert_link Uncategorized Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership style didn’t impress voters – but seeking consensus may be what South Africa’s unity government needs By Keith Gottschalk, University of the Western Cape South Africa’s 2024 general election, with its devastating loss of a majority for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), is also damaging for President Cyril Ramaphosa (71). To lead your party to such a huge loss of electoral support is an indictment, and the toughest test of your leadership capabilities. The ANC’s poor performance – […] todayJune 12, 2024 42
insert_link World India’s Modi thanks coalition MPs for ‘complete’ support Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked allied lawmakers Friday for unanimously agreeing to back his third term in office, after an unexpectedly close election forced his party to rely on coalition partners to keep him in power. Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled outright for the past decade, but failed to repeat its prior two landslide wins this time around, defying analyst expectations and exit polls. […] todayJune 7, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa South Africa Reserve Bank governor warns against unsustainable coalition policies The South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has warned that if coalition policies are not stable, South Africa is likely to lose investors. The ANC lost its majority in the May 29 election and is now in talks with opposition parties to form a coalition government. todayJune 6, 2024 26
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
