This Week in Politics
Fast and Furious: Trump's Appointments
Following his historic re-election, President-elect Trump has begun nominating members of his administration for approval by the Republican-controlled Senate. Some notable nominees include Florida Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, viewed as hawkish on Sino-US relations. Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is nominated for Attorney General; he is a controversial figure who was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, though he denies any wrongdoing. Pete Hegseth, a former war veteran and Fox News host with no prior government experience is nominated for Secretary of Defense. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been selected as his nominee for Homeland Security Secretary, while former Democratic Congresswoman-turned-Republican Tulsi Gabbard is nominated as Director of National Intelligence. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism but supported by some professionals for his focus on nutrition and healthier food, is nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is nominated for Interior Secretary.
Nominees not requiring Senate approval include Trump campaign manager Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff, and businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as joint heads of the government efficiency effort. Mr Trump is nominating candidates fast, showcasing a readiness to take hold of power, wether the Senate will approve some of the more controversial picks remains to be seen. Yet, these nominees are setting the tone for the second Trump Administration.
Sri Lankan Election
After handily securing the executive office earlier this year the left-wing electoral alliance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, called the National People's Party (NPP), won a landslide in the legislative election. In the last election, the NPP won a mere 3 seats and nearly 4% of the vote share, this time the the coalition enjoyed some 61.5% of voter support securing 159 out of the the 225 in parliament. Mr Dissanayake's alliance gained in the Tamil-dominated Jaffna Peninsula, a first since independence from Great Britain in 1946. The snap election called by President Dissanayake following his election is viewed as transformational. The NPP will now be pressured to live up to its campaign promises; including paying off the debt, reforming the political culture, and punishing members of past administrations for corruption.
Gabonese Referendum
Today, the people of Gabon will head to the ballot box to choose whether to enact a draft constitution written by the ruling junta. The proposed constitution includes a strong presidency, limiting marriage to between a man and a woman, and allowing mandatory military service. Importantly, the office will not be inheritable, a prior problem in Gabon which has struggled with dynasty-style rule.
The military rule was instituted in 2023 when Ali Bongo secured a third term, in an election denounced as rigged by the military. The junta led by General Nguema promised to restore civilian rule. While Nguema has been open with his desire to seek the proposed presidency, though he enjoys significant popularity. International election observers have been invited to "ensure the greatest transparency." Whether the referendum is free and fair will likely set the tone for the country's journey toward democracy.
