Imamoglu, the Turkish mayor most likely to challenge Erdogan, ’s rule
Fact: Newly re-elected Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is seen as the main challenger to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s reign.
general election
Many GOP billionaires balked at Jan. 6. They’re coming back to Trump.
Nelson Peltz expressed remorse for voting for Donald Trump after the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, but later had breakfast with Trump and other billionaires at his mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. Peltz has stated that he would “probably” vote for the GOP front-runner in 2024. Elite donors who were once critical of Trump are now rediscovering their affinity for him due to fears of President Biden’s tax agenda. Some billionaires are considering supporting Trump financially, including Larry Ellison and Richard Uihlein, while others like Ken Griffin and Peter Thiel remain resistant. Some tech investors and leaders in Silicon Valley who were alienated by Trump’s election-fraud crusade are now coming around to support him. Gary Cohn, who was once critical of Trump, has recently spoken positively about the former president. Robert Bigelow, who criticized Trump after the Capitol riot, has pledged million to a pro-Trump campaign group. Trump is facing financial challenges and is seeking support from wealthy donors to fund his campaign.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar unexpectedly quits
Leo Varadkar announced he would step down as Ireland’s prime minister, believing a new leader would increase the coalition government’s chances of reelection. He has asked his Fine Gael party to elect a new leader by April 6, after which parliament will vote on the new prime minister post-Easter. Varadkar, who became the first gay prime minister of Ireland in 2017 and resumed office 15 months ago, cited personal and political reasons for his resignation. His departure does not trigger a general election, which must occur by March 2025. The main opposition, Sinn Fein, currently leads in polls over Fine Gael and their main coalition partner, Fianna Fail. Potential successors include Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe, and Helen McEntee. Varadkar’s government has seen economic recovery post-COVID-19 but faced challenges with housing and asylum seeker pressures. Ireland lifted its abortion ban and legalized same-sex marriage during his tenure. Varadkar has no immediate personal or political plans following his resignation.
Explainer: When is the UK election?
– The last possible date for Britain’s next general election is January 28, 2025.
– Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated that 2024 would be an election year.
– Sunak’s working assumption is for a general election in the second half of this year.
– Sunak ruled out holding an election on May 2 and is unlikely to choose any day in May due to logistical difficulties.
– Expectations are for a vote in October or November.
– The decision to call a general election is made by the Prime Minister unless the government loses a motion of no confidence in parliament.
– Upon calling an election, parliament is dissolved, and all lawmakers lose their seats, with a 25 working day period until the general election.
– Elections have been held on a Thursday since 1935.
– Parliament will automatically dissolve on December 17 if an election is not called before then.
– 650 constituencies elect MPs under a first-past-the-post system.
– If a party wins more than 325 MPs, King Charles will invite its leader to form a government.
– If no party achieves a majority, there might be a coalition government or a minority government.
– The Conservative Party has governed in coalition and as a minority government in the past.
– Currently, the Conservatives have a majority, but polls show the Labour Party leading by about 20 percentage points.
UK PM Rishi Sunak rules out holding an election in early May
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he would not hold a general election in early May, indicating the vote would likely occur later in the year. This statement aims to quell speculation about an early election, despite opposition parties urging for one. Sunak confirmed there would be no election on May 2, the same day as local elections, due to logistical challenges of organizing two elections close together. Despite facing political challenges, including a party defection and controversy over donor funds, Sunak has previously suggested the election could happen in the latter half of the year. Current polls show Sunak’s Conservative Party trailing behind the Labour Party by approximately 20 percentage points. The government has faced difficulties in fulfilling its main promises, but Sunak has achieved the goal of halving inflation by the end of 2023. A general election must be held by January next year, but Sunak has the discretion to call one sooner.