Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will be in New York to discuss Greece’s participation in the UN Security Council and meet with counterparts from other countries also running for non-permanent member state seats. Greece is seeking its third membership in the security council for the period 2025-2026.
Putin was honored like a Russian tsar at his swearing-in for a new six-year presidential term. He indicated that Russia is prepared for victory in Ukraine and is willing to engage in dialogue with the West, but only if there is no arrogance from the United States and its allies. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has strained relations between Russia and the West, with the West viewing Putin as an autocrat and war criminal. Despite criticism of the election process, Putin remains popular in Russia, winning 88% of the vote in the March election. The West boycotted his swearing-in ceremony, but Russian officials dismissed this as insignificant. Putin’s allies praise him for bringing stability to Russia, and there is no clear successor to him.
– India’s multi-day election has begun with nearly one billion eligible voters.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a rare third term, focusing on issues such as growth, welfare, and Hindu nationalism.
– The election pits Modi’s BJP against an alliance of opposition parties promising affirmative action and more handouts.
– Voter turnout on the first day of voting was estimated at 60%, with the highest turnout in Tripura at 80% and the lowest in Rajasthan at 51%.
– The BJP is expected to win a majority, despite concerns about unemployment, inflation, and rural distress.
– Hindu nationalism is a key election theme, with Modi’s government accused of treating minority Muslims unfairly.
– Modi aims to win 370 of parliament’s 543 seats, hoping for a two-thirds majority.
– The opposition alliance has struggled to unite, facing challenges from the government.
– Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party emphasized the importance of the election for Indian democracy.
– 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.