This Week in Politics
New Dutch Coalition
After months of negotiating The Netherlands is set for a new government with the right-wing to far-right PVV at its core. The PVV with long-time politician Geert Wilders at its helm has compromised with the liberal VVD, the recently formed christian democratic NSC and its strongest ally the Farmer-Citizen Movement. The new found partners have agreed on a power sharing document covering topics such as immigration, climate change and the Dutch housing crisis. It proposes the Asylum Crisis Act, which would entail a temporary suspension of all asylum applications, alongside more policies to curb the nation's immigration. Moreover, regarding climate change the bloc is set to scrap many of the former VVD led government's green initiatives. In terms of the housing crisis a goal of 100,000 new homes each year has been set, of which at least 30% must be social housing.
The group agreed upon this after a tumultuous period in which; Mark Rutte, the prime minister, resigned due to his coalition falling apart, the PVV surged in the election of 2023 and the NSC entrance into parliament alongside the subsequent fall of the VVD. Furthermore, during the negotiations the NSC walked away, however, eventually came back. The fragmented nature of Dutch politics made this coalition difficult to reach and some details such as who will be the prime minister remain, however, after months of discussions the Netherlands seems to be 1 step closer toward a real government taking shape. Interestingly the bloc pledges that 50% of the next government's ministers will be from the business sector.
ID Feuding with the German AfD
The European Parliament group Identity and Democracy (ID) has expelled 9 AfD MEPs from its group citing the ongoing scandals, including possible connections to Russia and China, the German party faces at home. ID stated in a press release it no longer wished to associate with the AfD's controversy. The ID is set to make loses on Election Day; this comes as yet another blow to the group.
Zuma Barred from Running
Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred from running in the nation's election next week after a Constitutional Court ruling. Any individual that has been in prison for more than 1 year is not allowed to run. Mr Zuma has been sentenced to a 15-month sentence for contempt of court, meaning (in this case) he refused to testify at an inquiry investigating corruption during his tenure. However, Mr Zuma only served 3 months after which the new South African president, and his former ANC deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa released him. The former president's lawyers argued argued that this effectively cancelled the remaining period of his sentence, however the court disagreed.
The former president had hoped to make a political comeback with his new political party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) (Spear of the Nation) after he fell out with his former party the African National Congress (ANC), the former party of Nelson Mandela. The ruling hinders Jacob Zuma from running, not his party and the MK secretary general Sihle Ngubane said that the party was disappointed with the ruling, however, would push on toward Election Day. Furthermore, Mr Zuma remains the leader of the party. The MK is still likely to enter the country's parliament which threatens the ANC with losing their outright majority. Lastly Mr Zuma's political party has stated it's goal is to receive a two-thirds majority in the parliament in order to change the constitution so that Jacob Zuma can run again. Such a majority is unlikely.
UK General Election Day Set
Outside the famous dark black door of Downing Street number 10 with rain pouring down British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced - in what is widely seen as a gamble - that Britons would vote during a summer general election, on the 4th of July. The date is seen as a risk for Mr Sunak as an autumn election would have given him more time to close the polling gap with Labour. Downing Street was hoping for interest rate cuts and a hefty package of tax reductions to sway public opinion, that no longer seems possible, hence the early election. Moreover, the short campaigning period may have caught Labour off guard, though that's unlikely. Labour's leader Keir Stamer gave a speech inside with the text "Change" written on his podium. Mr Stamer currently enjoys major support in the polls and is set for a landslide win. Markets reacted calmly to the closeness of the election date, reflecting the readiness for a new government. Many Tories were unhappy with the date, whilst Labour supporters are content. However, no poll or opinion will matter, except the one on Election Day.
