This Week in Politics
President Joe Biden's Farewell Adress
Summarising 4 years in mere minutes President Biden noted his perceived accomplishments, including the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, set to take shape in the coming days and weeks, the economic recovery following the fallout of the pandemic, infrastructure projects, and the ability for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors among other things. He touted the strengthening of NATO and the remaining freedom of Ukraine. Moreover, stating"we’ve pulled ahead of our competition with China."
"Instead of losing their jobs to an economic crisis that we inherited, millions of Americans now have the dignity of work; millions of entrepreneurs and companies creating new businesses and industries, hiring American workers, using American products," President Biden noted in his farewell adress.
Yet, above all, Mr Biden underpinned the importance of democracy and the role of checks and balances. He warned of an oligarchy taking shape and what that could mean if left unchecked.
"Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead. We see the consequences all across America. And we’ve seen it before, more than a century ago. But the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts," Mr Biden said in his statement.
President Biden prepares to leave office an unpopular man, with the lowest average approval rating of any president ever. His replacement, the man he defeated 4 years ago, has faced accusations of anti-democratic behaviour, not least from the incumbent president. This was not desirable for Mr Biden but it is the verdict of the American people. President Joseph R. Biden leaves 5 decades of public service behind, whether liked or unliked he has served in the Oval Office the past 4 years, and that time has come to an end.
And my eternal thanks to you, the American people. After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands, a nation where the strengths of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it too. God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you for this great honor, President Biden's last remarks in his farewell adress.
South Korean President Arrested
President Yoon Suk Yeol, pending an impeachment verdict from the Constitutional Court, has been arrested by the South Korean authorities, after a failed attempt by investigators on 3 January. Mr Yoon is suspected of an attempted insurrection through his failed martial law order in early December last year. The president upheld that the arrest warrant was illegal because he stated that the specific agency behind his arrest had no jurisdiction and that the warrant was invalid, which the same court that issued the warrant struck down. Mr Yoon faces questioning and potential punishment, already being the first sitting president to be arrested.
Croatian Presidential Election
Incumbent President Zoran Milanovic easily won reelection, securing another 5 years in office, against the ruling party candidate. Mr Milanovic is a critic of both the European Union and NATO, he won the presidency in 2020 with the backing of the centre-left SPD. The election result comes as a blow to the ruling centre-right HDZ that dominates Croatian politics, yet faced a high-profile corruption scandal moving into the campaign. Their candidate managed a mere 26% compared with President Milanovic's historic 74%, the largest margin any presidential candidate has secured in Croatia since independence in 1991.
Many voters view the largely symbolic office as a counterbalance to the other elected branch of government. HDZ has been the driving political force since independence, and some voters believe the party has "too much control," as one Milanovic supporter put it. The electoral commission noted a turnout of 44% which is slightly lower compared with first-round voting last year. President Zoran Milanovic is set for another 5 years, with overwhelming support from the electorate.
