presidential election

How a third-party candidate could put Trump in the White House

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How a third-party candidate could put Trump in the White House

– Democrats and Republicans dominate the U.S. two-party political system.
– Independent candidates and third-party challengers, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could impact this year’s presidential election.
– Strategists believe a third-party candidate could take more votes from President Joe Biden than from former President Donald Trump.
– Narrow margins in battleground states are crucial for winning the 270 electoral college votes needed for victory.
– In the 2020 election, Biden won Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and lost North Carolina, with all these states decided by less than 3% of the vote.
– Kennedy’s platform includes limiting U.S. intervention in foreign conflicts, cheaper housing, and reining in corporate power. He has 15% support among registered voters according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
– Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, is a key focus, where Biden won with just 50% of the votes in 2020.
– If Biden loses Pennsylvania and Georgia, Trump could win the presidency.
– Both Biden and Trump have low approval ratings, but Trump’s loyal voter base makes him less vulnerable to third-party votes.
– There’s a possibility that no candidate reaches the 270 electoral vote threshold, leading to a contingent election scenario where the House of Representatives would elect the president.
– It is unlikely for a third-party candidate to win 270 electoral votes on their own, as seen in historical precedents like Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 and George Wallace in 1968, and Ross Perot in 1992 who did not win any electoral college votes despite a significant popular vote percentage.

China congratulates Putin on election win, says ties will strengthen

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China congratulates Putin on election win, says ties will strengthen

China congratulated Vladimir Putin on his victory in Russia’s presidential election, with President Xi Jinping sending a message of congratulations. China stated that the strategic relationship between the two countries would continue to strengthen under the leadership of Xi and Putin. China and Russia, described as comprehensive strategic partners, have deepened their ties, especially in light of Western criticism over the war in Ukraine. The two nations declared a “no limits” partnership in February 2022. Meetings between Xi and Putin are planned for this year, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

Putin wins Russia election in landslide with no serious competition

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Putin wins Russia election in landslide with no serious competition

– President Vladimir Putin won Russia’s election with 87.8% of the vote according to an exit poll by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).
– Putin’s victory marks a record post-Soviet landslide and extends his power, potentially making him Russia’s longest-serving leader in over 200 years if he completes another six-year term.
– The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other nations have criticized the election as neither free nor fair, citing the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship.
– Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov finished second with just under 4% of the vote.
– Putin plans to prioritize Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and strengthen the Russian military.
– Thousands of opponents, inspired by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, protested against Putin at polling stations inside Russia and abroad.
– Putin regards Russia’s election as democratic and claims the protests had no effect on the election’s outcome.
– Nationwide turnout was reported at 74.22% at the close of polls.
– At least 74 people were arrested on Sunday across Russia for protesting, according to OVD-Info.
– Western countries view Putin as an autocrat, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy deemed the vote illegitimate and accused Putin of wanting to rule indefinitely.
– Putin views the conflict with Ukraine as part of a historical struggle with the West, which he believes has encroached on Russia’s sphere of influence post-Cold War.

Biden jokes about Trump’s mental fitness at Washington’s Gridiron dinner

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Biden jokes about Trump’s mental fitness at Washington’s Gridiron dinner

U.S. President Joe Biden made jokes about the mental fitness of his election opponent, former President Donald Trump, during a speech at the Gridiron Club dinner. This event is a Washington tradition where politicians and journalists exchange humorous remarks. Biden’s appearance marked the first time a president attended in person since Trump in 2018. Biden, who is 81, has secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for the upcoming presidential election and will compete against Trump, who is 77, in a November rematch. The dinner had over 650 guests, including notable figures such as the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Biden emphasized the importance of the press and discussed the war in Ukraine with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Utah Governor Spencer Cox also spoke at the event, with Cox humorously mentioning a potential candidacy in 2052. The Gridiron Club’s 65 members performed satirical songs and skits, including one that made fun of Biden’s and Trump’s ages. The event is characterized by its formal dress code and prohibition of photos and social media posts during the dinner.

Russian official says ‘scumbags’ who vandalise ballot boxes face jail terms

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Russian official says ‘scumbags’ who vandalise ballot boxes face jail terms

Russia’s election chief announced that individuals who vandalize ballot boxes during the three-day presidential election will face up to five years in jail. This statement came after multiple incidents of such vandalism were reported across Russia on the first day of the election, which is expected to extend Vladimir Putin’s presidency by six more years. Ella Pamfilova, the electoral commission chair, highlighted these attacks would not affect the election outcome. A criminal case was opened against a woman who attempted to spoil ballots with green dye. Incidents of voting disruption occurred in Moscow, Karachayevo-Cherkessia, and Crimea. Pamfilova referenced Article 141 of the Criminal Code, which deals with obstructing electoral rights or commission work, stating such actions are punishable by up to five years in prison. She mentioned that some perpetrators claimed they were paid by Ukraine to cause disturbances. All individuals caught tampering with ballots have been detained and will face prosecution. In Moscow, investigators opened criminal cases, including against a woman shown on CCTV pouring green liquid into a ballot box. In St. Petersburg, a 21-year-old woman was arrested for throwing a Molotov cocktail at a polling station. Attempts to set fire to voting booths were also reported in Moscow and Tyumen region in Siberia.

Ukraine attacks Russian city and refinery on second day of presidential election

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Ukraine attacks Russian city and refinery on second day of presidential election

– A Ukrainian missile attack killed two people in western Russia.
– A separate drone strike set an oil refinery ablaze in Russia.
– The incidents occurred during the second day of a presidential election in Russia.
– President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of trying to disrupt the election.
– The governor of the Belgorod region reported the deaths of a man and a woman due to the missile attack.
– The Syzran refinery in the Samara region was reported to be on fire due to a drone strike.
– Russia’s Defence Ministry reported repelling attempts by Ukrainian forces to cross into the Belgorod region.
– Schools in much of the Belgorod region and shopping centers in Belgorod city were closed due to the situation.
– Russia conducted a missile attack on Odesa, Ukraine, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 70.
– President Putin is expected to win the presidential election, extending his time in office.
– Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition politician, died in an Arctic penal colony, with his death certificate stating natural causes as the cause of death.
– The election turnout was over 40% by the afternoon of the second day, with high turnout in the Belgorod region and Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine.
– United Russia reported a denial of service cyberattack on its services.
– A senior telecoms official attributed the cyberattacks against Russia to Ukraine and Western countries.
– Protests and reported cyber attacks occurred during the voting process.

Putin says Ukraine will be punished for election day attacks on civilians

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Putin says Ukraine will be punished for election day attacks on civilians

President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine would face consequences for attempting to disrupt the Russian presidential election by shelling civilian areas in Russia and using 2,500 armed soldiers to breach Russia’s borders. He mentioned that these actions were aimed at intimidating voters, especially in border regions. Despite Russia’s air defenses shooting down 95% of the incoming shells and missiles, some managed to cause civilian casualties. Putin reported four attacks on the Belgorod region and one on the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces, which included 35 tanks and 40 armored vehicles. He claimed that approximately 60% of these forces were eliminated, and half of their armored vehicles were destroyed.

Russia says it repelled attempted Ukrainian cross-border incursion

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Russia says it repelled attempted Ukrainian cross-border incursion

Russia’s defense ministry reported that it prevented a Ukrainian attempt to attack the Belgorod region of Russia, involving up to 30 soldiers landing near the village of Kozinka using helicopters. Ukrainian officials claimed that anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups based in Ukraine were attacking two Russian border provinces, Belgorod and Kursk. The Belgorod regional governor reported two deaths and significant damage in Kozinka. Concurrently, Russia commenced a three-day presidential election expected to secure President Vladimir Putin another six-year term. The Belgorod region has been targeted by attacks from Ukraine since 2022, with Ukrainian forces having temporarily seized an area near the border, including Kozinka, in May 2023.

Anti-Kremlin fighters launch cross-border attacks into Russia

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Anti-Kremlin fighters launch cross-border attacks into Russia

Armed fighters claiming to be Russian citizens opposed to the Kremlin conducted cross-border incursions into western Russia from Ukraine using tanks. Moscow reported repelling the attacks. The groups, acting independently according to Ukraine, aimed to distract Russian forces and relieve pressure on Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine. The Freedom of Russia Legion claimed control of Tyotkino, a village in Russia’s Kursk region. The attacks involved the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion. Russia’s defense ministry stated it repelled the incursions and drone attacks in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. The incidents occurred days before Russia’s presidential election, with the groups hinting at opposition to the expected re-election of Putin.

Russia’s presidential election: the who, what and when?

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Russia’s presidential election: the who, what and when?

– Russia will hold a presidential election on March 15-17.
– President Vladimir Putin is expected to win, which would give him another six-year term.
– The election will include voting in parts of Ukraine now controlled by Russian forces.
– A remote online voting system will be available for the first time.
– There are 112.3 million eligible voters within Russia, 1.9 million abroad, and 12,000 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
– Turnout is usually around 70-80 million, with a 67.5% turnout in 2018.
– Putin’s opponents include Communist Nikolai Kharitonov, Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party.
– Anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova were barred from running.
– Putin has served as president longer than any Russian leader since Josef Stalin.
– Amendments in 2008 extended presidential terms to six years, and 2020 amendments reset Putin’s term count, allowing him to potentially remain in power until 2036.
– Putin has high approval ratings in Russia, despite Western criticism.
– The Russian opposition is tightly controlled, with pro-Western liberals having no seats in parliament.
– Supporters of Alexei Navalny are either in jail or have fled abroad.
– Yulia Navalnaya has called for a massive election day protest against Putin.
– Russian nationalist ex-militia commander Igor Girkin called the election a “sham.”
– The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was not invited to observe the election, citing deteriorated conditions in Russia.