This Week in Politics

Stormont Deal

After nearly 2 years of the Northern Irish devolved government being inactive, the DUP has decided to restore the government. This is due to a Westminister government pledge of a new post-Brexit trade deal. The past situation was seen as unacceptable by the Unionist forces of Northern Ireland due to it effectively dividing the United Kingdom in 2 with Scotland, Wales, and England being together. The first order of business for Stormont will be to elect a speaker. The speaker requires cross-community support, meaning they must garner the majority of both unionists and nationalists. Sinn Féin will then nominate its first minister due to them having the most seats, most likely Michelle O'Neil leader of Northern Ireland's Sinn Féin. The DUP will then nominate its deputy first minister due to them having the 2nd most seats, most likely Emma Little-Pengelly. Though the first minister and deputy first minister hold the same power this will mark the first time that a nationalist is first minister - symbolically important.

Finnish Presidential Election

The first round of the Finnish presidential election is over and Alexander Stubb of the center-right National Coalition alongside Pekka Haavisto an independent with support from the Green League will move on to the 2nd round. Mr Stubb narrowly beat out Mr Haavisto by just 1.5%, lower than polls anticipated. Other candidates were significantly behind with the clear right-wing Finns Party a whole 7% behind Mr Haavisto. One of the largest parties the social democratic SDP only managed to garner 4.9% of the vote showing the party's ineffectiveness in this campaign. Mr Stubb's results reflect the growing popularity of the Finnish government led by the National Coalition. The governing parties garnering 48.5% in recent general election polls suggests that Mr Stubb has a good chance of being elected President of Finland. Thereby meaning that the National Coalition would hold both the Presidency and Prime Ministership.

Thai Move Forward Party in Peril

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that the largest party, the Move Forward Party, violated the Thai constitution by advocating for the reform of the monarchy's power within the country. A blow to the party's supporters. The Constitutional Court based in Bangkok ruled that the party sought to overthrow the monarchy through its planned actions. The hopes of large-scale change within Thailand are dimming. The ruling opens the Move Forward Party to more prosecutions which may lead to the dissolution of the party altogether according to analysts.