News

Lebanon elects a new Parliament: A breakdown of divisions, winners and losers

May 17 2022
Lebanon
Source: 
L'Orient Today

Official results are in for Lebanon’s legislative elections, with the incoming Parliament set to be a contested one: Hezbollah and its allies have failed to retain their majority, while the withdrawal of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Future Movement opened the path for a re-shuffling of the rest of the establishment in Parliament, with opposition figures now holding a bloc in parliament.

Fighting rocks Libya capital for hours after rival PM enters city

May 17 2022
Libya
Source: 
The Guardian

The capital of war-battered Libya was rocked by fighting between backers of two rival administrations for several hours Tuesday, threatening renewed chaos in the oil-rich North African country.

The side backed by an eastern-based military strongman then pulled out of the western city of Tripoli, citing the “security and safety of citizens”, as the United Nations and European Union launched urgent appeals for calm.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the fighting that erupted before dawn, according to AFP correspondents.

‘Ballot box revolution’: Lebanon holds parliamentary elections

May 15 2022
Lebanon
Source: 
Al Jazeera

Lebanon holds parliamentary elections on Sunday while reeling from an economic crisis that has pushed more than three-quarters of the population into poverty.

Some 3.9 million eligible voters will select their preferred representatives among 718 candidates spread across 103 lists in 15 districts and 27 subdistricts, an increase from 597 candidates and 77 lists in 2018.

Lebanese expatriates vote in parliamentary elections

May 08 2022
Lebanon
Source: 
Al Jazeera

Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese expatriates have begun casting their votes in Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, almost three years into a crippling economic crisis that has decimated the Lebanese pound, sparked unprecedented inflation, and pushed thousands of people to leave the country.

Lebanese expats living in 10 countries – including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, and Iraq – will vote on Friday, while the diaspora living in 48 other countries will vote on Sunday.

Lebanese citizens at home will vote on May 15.

Shehbaz Sharif chosen as Pak PM candidate after Imran Khan's exit

Apr 10 2022
Pakistan
Source: 
The Hindustan Times

Shehbaz Sharif's nomination comes a day after Imran Khan was removed from the post of prime minister after losing the no-confidence vote in the 342-member Pakistan assembly.

Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday was nominated by the opposition as the joint candidate for the prime minister's election scheduled tomorrow at 2 pm local time, Pakistan news channel ARY News reported. 

Kuwait Government quits 3 months after formation

Apr 05 2022
Kuwait
Source: 
https://www.kuwaittimes.com/kuwait-government-quits-3-months-after-formation/

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday submitted his government’s resignation to the Crown Prince. The resignation came after three opposition MPs grilled the premier last week, accusing him of failing to check rife corruption. Sheikh Sabah categorically denied the allegations.

President Alvi dissolves National Assembly on PM Imran's advice

Apr 03 2022
Pakistan
Source: 
Dawn News

President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday dissolved the National Assembly on Prime Minister Imran Khan's advice under Article 58 of the Constitution.

"The president of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, has approved the advice of the prime minister of Pakistan to dissolve the National Assembly under the Article 58 (1) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," according to a statement issued by the President's Secretariat.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran, in an address to the nation, said he had advised the president to "dissolve assemblies".

AKP, MHP propose to reduce election barrier to 7 percent

Mar 14 2022
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its main ally, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have submitted a draft law to the parliament to decrease the election threshold from the current 10 percent to 7 percent.

The 15-article draft law was introduced to the parliament on March 14 by the AKP and the MHP officials. The new electoral law can be applied in the next parliamentary elections slated for June 2023.

Lebanon's ruling parties announce candidates for parliamentary elections

Mar 03 2022
Lebanon
Source: 
Arab News

 

  • The cost of holding elections is estimated at $15.5 million
  • Nearly 3.97 million voters will partake in the upcoming ballot, including about 225,000 overseas voters 

BEIRUT: Lebanese parties have been rushing to submit their candidacies for the upcoming parliamentary elections to the Ministry of Interior with the deadline for registration, March 15, soon approaching.

Turkish opposition parties promise return to parliamentary system

Feb 28 2022
Turkey
Source: 
Al Jazeera

Leaders of six opposition parties in Turkey have signed a joint declaration outlining their plan to restore parliamentary system and strip the powers of the president if they win 2023 elections.

The plan aimed to entirely overhaul the existing executive presidential system, which has been backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his allies, and in force since June 2018.

A 48-page document covering 23 articles was signed on Monday by the leaders at a large event organised in a hotel in the capital Ankara.

Hezbollah Supporters Intensify Threats against Opponents ahead of Lebanon's Elections

Feb 25 2022
Lebanon
Source: 
Asharq Al-Awsat

Supporters of the Hezbollah party in Lebanon have increased their threats against opponents through social media ahead of the May parliamentary elections.

 

The latest threat was against Lebanese University professor Bassel Saleh.

 

Threats are often made ahead of elections, but this year they take on a new edge given that the polls are taking place after the 2019 popular revolt against Lebanon's ruling class.

 

UN adviser calls for Libya elections in 'shortest possible time'

Feb 14 2022
Libya
Source: 
TRT World

The UN secretary-general's special adviser on Libya has called on both Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Fathi Bashagha, who was nominated by eastern-based rival parliament as new premier, to preserve calm and stability in the North African country.

UN adviser Stephanie Williams held separate meetings with Dbeibah and Bashagha on Sunday and sought elections to end the ongoing political deadlock.

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