May’s Brexit Deal Splits Conservative Party

Atlantic SentinelNovember 15, 2018July 31, 2020

British prime minister Theresa May attends a NATO summit in Brussels, July 11, 2018 (Shutterstock/Alexandros Michailidis)

Seven members of the British government, including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, have resigned in protest to Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
They — and many Conservatives — object to a potentially indefinite “backstop” in the withdrawal agreement that would keep the United Kingdom in a customs union with the EU in order to avoid closing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Read more “May’s Brexit Deal Splits Conservative Party”

May Wins Cabinet Support for Brexit Treaty

Atlantic SentinelNovember 14, 2018July 31, 2020

British prime minister Theresa May speaks with ministers at her Chequers country retreat in Buckinghamshire, England, February 22 (MoD)

British prime minister Theresa May has won her cabinet’s support for a withdrawal agreement with the EU.
The challenge now is getting the treaty approved by her ruling Conservative Party and its allies in Northern Ireland. Read more “May Wins Cabinet Support for Brexit Treaty”

Divided Congress After Midterm Elections in America

Atlantic SentinelNovember 6, 2018July 31, 2020

The United States Capitol in Washington DC (Shutterstock/Brandon Bourdages)

Democrats are poised to take control of the House of Representatives after midterm elections in the United States.
Republicans maintain their majority in the Senate.
In addition to all 435 seats in the House and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate, 38 state and territorial governorships were also contested. Read more “Divided Congress After Midterm Elections in America”

American Elections: Analysis and Opinion Blog

Atlantic SentinelOctober 30, 2018July 31, 2020

View of Washington DC with the United States Capitol in the distance, February 17, 2015 (Matt Popovich)

Americans vote in midterm elections on Tuesday, November 6.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate and 39 state and territorial governorships are contested. Many states also hold legislative elections. Read more “American Elections: Analysis and Opinion Blog”

Catalans Demonstrate for Independence on National Holiday

Atlantic SentinelSeptember 11, 2018July 31, 2020

Catalans demonstrate for independence from Spain in Barcelona, July 10, 2010 (Wikimedia Commons/Josep Renalias)

Catalonia celebrates its national holiday on Tuesday.
The date, September 11, commemorates the fall of Barcelona in 1714. Catalonia had backed the losing side in the War of the Spanish Succession. Read more “Catalans Demonstrate for Independence on National Holiday”

Theresa May Loses Pro-Brexit Ministers

Atlantic SentinelJuly 9, 2018July 31, 2020

Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have resigned from Theresa May’s government.
Both opposed her Brexit strategy of seeking as close as trade relationship with the EU as possible without accepting free movement of EU nationals. Read more “Theresa May Loses Pro-Brexit Ministers”

Spain’s Rajoy Forced Out, Sánchez Elected Prime Minister

Atlantic SentinelMay 31, 2018July 31, 2020

Spanish party leaders Pedro Sánchez and Pablo Iglesias meet in Madrid, February 5, 2016 (PSOE)

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has lost a confidence vote in Congress in the wake of a corruption scandal in his conservative party.
Socialist Party leader Pedro Sánchez takes his place with the support of the far left and regionalists.
According to polls, the liberal Citizens stand to gain the most from early elections. Read more “Spain’s Rajoy Forced Out, Sánchez Elected Prime Minister”

Italy in Crisis After President Blocks Anti-EU Government

Atlantic SentinelMay 27, 2018July 31, 2020

Italian president Sergio Mattarella delivers a news conference in Rome, April 5 (Presidenza della Repubblica)

Italian president Sergio Mattarella has blocked a government of the Euroskeptic Five Star Movement and League by vetoing its candidate for finance minister.
A technocratic government, led by Carlo Cottarelli, is due to take power until new elections can be held. Read more “Italy in Crisis After President Blocks Anti-EU Government”

No Party or Coalition Wins Majority in Italy

Atlantic SentinelMarch 4, 2018July 31, 2020

Italians elected a new parliament on Sunday.
The populist Five Star Movement and Northern League made gains at the expense of mainstream parties.
Neither the combined right nor a left-right coalition between Matteo Renzi’s Democrats and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia would have a majority. Read more “No Party or Coalition Wins Majority in Italy”

Left-Right Coalition Would Be Best Outcome for Italy

Atlantic SentinelMarch 2, 2018July 31, 2020

Italian Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi visits a police academy in Rome, November 9, 2016 (Palazzo Chigi)

There are two realistic outcomes to Italy’s election on Sunday: a right-wing government that includes the xenophobic Brothers of Italy and Northern League or a German-style grand coalition between Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia and the Democrats.

The second would be better for Italy and for Europe. To make that outcome more likely, Italians should vote for the center-left. Read more “Left-Right Coalition Would Be Best Outcome for Italy”