This Week in Politics
Narendra Modi Re-elected Prime Minister of India
The world's largest democracy has held its 1-month election and Narendra Modi, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and incumbent Prime Minister of India, is set to remain the nation's leader. His party's coalition the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the most votes and seats. However, the main opposition - the Indian National Congress (INC), or Congress for short - managed to unite regional and smaller parties under the INDIA, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, banner. Ahead of the election, the group gained momentum, challenging the BJP and NDA in many polls, however, lost steam as the election neared. The BJP and NDA seemed set to win over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha that has 543 according to some polls and surveys. However, in an upset to Modi's ambition the INC and INDIA managed to majorly outperform expectations, with the INC alone doubling their seat share.
The NDA still managed to attain a clear majority, however, it received a scare from the electorate as the North started to show signs of weakness. The BJP lost 63 seats, holding a total of 240, whilst the NDA garnered just under 300, at 293 seats. 272 constitutes a majority. The INC gained 47 seats, winning 99, whilst INDIA mustered 234. The closeness of the election will likely keep the BJP and NDA on their toes and humble when creating new legislation.
New Mexican President
Mexico made history this week when electing the first woman to the office of the presidency. Mrs Sheinbaum won roughly 60% of the vote, more than double what the closest competitor received, and re-secured the presidency for the leftist Monera party. Riding on a wave of support for the former Monera president Mrs Sheinbaum managed to expand the party's total vote share. However, Mrs Sheinbaum is not inheriting an easy situation, mass crime and gang violence have struck the country with mayors and many other political leaders and candidates being killed. The coming years will prove vital and Monera will face great challenges in repressing crime, however, Mrs Sheinbaum's action on this issue may become defining for her presidency as a whole.
Nigel Farage Joins the British Election
Former UKIP and Reform UK leader alongside Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has thrown his hat into the ring as he once more becomes the leader of Reform UK. The move came as a surprise as Mr Farage had previously stated he did not intend to run. The Brexit campaigner's popularity among right-wing voters may be the nail in the coffin for Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party. Without Mr Farage's outward face and media savvy Reform UK has managed to become the 3rd largest party in polling, roughly half the Tories' size. Mr Farage's entry may simply spoil the vote for Conservative candidates across the board and help opposition parties such as Labour, the Liberal Democrat, and SNP win or maintain control of constituencies.
It's unclear if Reform will manage to win any seats itself, the new leader, Nigel Farage, is campaigning in Clacton. The English town was a clear proponent of Brexit and the only place to be represented by an elected UKIP (Mr Farage's last political party) representative in the House of Commons. Clacton has a strong potential Reform base, and as Tories flounder the once safe seat may be open to a new type of right-wing party
