This Week in Politics
Changing Dynamics – A New House Speaker
After weeks of turmoil and chaos a divided Republican party consolidates around a candidate for the speakership – Mike Johnson. The political vacuum created by the ousting of Kevin McCarthy has led to the rise of a small unknown conservative from the State of Louisiana – an election denier and right-winger Mr. Johnson represents the Donald Trump faction of the GOP. The installation of Mr. Johnson as speaker of the House is a clear sign of Donald Trump’s profound impact on his party, a loss for the party’s more moderate representatives. Mr. Johnson moreover has attracted a lot of criticism from the Democrats and Congressional Equality Caucus as he is a controversial figure, by others he’s seen as a unifying figure that managed to end the chaos on Capitol Hill. Mike Johnson sees the war in the Middle East, inflation and border security as some of his top priorities.
When the Cracks Start to Show – Keir Stamer’s Balancing Act: Navigating Israel-Hamas
Mr. Stamer (the leader of the United Kingdom’s Labour party and presumed future prime minister) has been put under increased calls to advocate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Important party officials have joined these calls including Sadiq Khan, London Mayor, saying that civilian casualties must be avoided to all extent and that Israel has a right to defend itself but not to break international law. A quarter of MP:s in the House of Commons (parliament) are pushing this too. Currently Mr. Stamer holds the US and UK approach of letting civilians flee before the wrath of full-scale war, however, it’s to be seen whether he manages to continue convincing the majority of his party that his is the best way.
The Europe We Need? A Green Party Official’s Bid to Lead
The German MEP (European parliamentary member) Terry Reintke, who is already one of the two co-presidents of the Green parliamentary group, has said she wants to lead the Green party’s campaign in the upcoming European parliamentary election. Stating that she wants “a Europe that fights for climate justice.”
