insert_link World Snap elections in France: a political scientist lays out what’s at stake By Julien Robin, Université de Montréal Speaking at a surprise address to the nation on Sunday evening, French president Emmanuel Macron told French citizens he had “decided to give [them] back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote”. These words, pronounced in reaction to the historic surge of the far-right National Rally at the European elections, triggered the dissolution of France’s […] todayJune 11, 2024 11
insert_link World Trump’s post-conviction windfall shows democracy is increasingly a pay-to-play game By Daniel Drache, York University, Canada and Marc D. Froese, Burman University In the hours immediately following Donald Trump’s recent hush-money conviction in a Manhattan courtroom, his presidential campaign raked in US$53 million from small donors. Why are regular people without deep pockets throwing so much money at a convicted felon? In the United States today, as in many other countries with a populism […] todayJune 10, 2024 14
South Africa South African Political parties urge retired judge to facilitate talks on government of national unity Several political parties have asked SA Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to appoint a retired judge to facilitate talks on forming a government of national unity. The parties include the UDM, ACDP, and Build One South Africa. UDM's Yongaba Zigebe stresses the need for clarity with regards to the formation of the new Parliament: todayJune 10, 2024 5
Namibia Namibian youth turn backs on political parties, survey reveals https://youtu.be/xWLE28d7Arw By Valeria Handobe Owner of Survey Warehouse Christie Keulder says that young Namibians are distancing themselves from political parties, with many stating that they no longer feel close to any party. This follows a survey conducted by Afrobarometer in March this year, which revealed that only 56% of young people voted during the 2019 national election. Afrobarometer is a pan-African non-partisan survey research network […] todayJune 7, 2024 7
insert_link Namibia The ANC remains in the lead nationally at 41.92-percent With just over 57-percent of the votes counted, the ANC remains in the lead nationally at 41.92-percent. The DA is currently second at 23.34-percent and the MK Party at 11.31-percent. In Gauteng, the ANC leads with 33.57-percent followed by the DA at 29.31-percent and the EFF at 12.55-percent. In the hotly contested KwaZulu-Natal, MK is at 43.95-percent, the ANC second with 18.98-percent and the IFP at 15.42-percent. In the Western […] todayMay 31, 2024 15
insert_link South Africa South Africans go to the polls to choose a new government: what’s different this time By Dirk Kotze, University of South Africa South Africa’s seventh general election since democracy in 1994, set for 29 May 2024, takes place under circumstances different from any other election in the history of the nation. Some view the hotly contested national and provincial elections as a watershed moment for the country. We asked political scientist Dirk Kotze to explain the changed circumstances. There’s […] todayMay 28, 2024 21
insert_link South Africa Mayibuye! The 100-year-old slogan that’s stirred up divisions in South Africa’s elections By Corinne Sandwith, University of Pretoria Political parties the world over use slogans, icons, colours, names and flags to establish their political and historical credentials. What happens when two political parties lay claim to the same history and the same symbolic capital? In South Africa, a conflict of this kind is being played out between the governing African National Congress (ANC) party led by […] todayMay 28, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Men still dominate Uganda’s party politics – women’s participation is mostly cosmetic By Hannah Muzee, Kyambogo University Electoral gender quotas in Uganda – first introduced in 1989 – have increased women’s numbers in Uganda’s parliament to 34%. Today there are 189 women out of 557 members of parliament. But women politicians in Uganda continue to be restricted to minority representation. They are constantly battling stereotypes that seek to maintain the status quo of male dominance in political […] todayMay 27, 2024 11
insert_link Namibia Afrobarometer addresses the role of social media in political campaigns Despite over 55% of Namibians relying on social media for news and information, most political parties in the country lack a significant presence on these platforms. According to Round 9 of the Afrobarometer survey, this is concerning given the upcoming elections, as social media can be a valuable tool for parties to reach and communicate with their supporters. Local Political Analyst Dr. Ndumba Kamwanyah weighs in on the matter. According […] todayMay 21, 2024 20
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.
