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”

Separatists Defend Majority in Catalan Election

Atlantic SentinelDecember 21, 2017August 30, 2020

Palau de la Generalitat Barcelona Spain — The palace of the Catalan regional government in Barcelona, Spain at night (iStock/Tomas Sereda)

Separatists defended their majority in Catalonia on Thursday.
Parties that want to secede from Spain won seventy out of 135 seats in the regional parliament against 57 for the unionists. Read more “Separatists Defend Majority in Catalan Election”

Independence Crisis in Catalonia

Atlantic SentinelOctober 3, 2017July 31, 2020

Catalans demonstrate for independence from Spain in Girona, October 1, 2014 (Ariet/Carles Palacio)

Spain has dissolved the autonomous Catalan government and charged its members with rebellion and sedition after they declared independence.
Elections for a new parliament will be held on December 21. Read more “Independence Crisis in Catalonia”

Catalans Vote for Independence in Controversial Referendum

Atlantic SentinelOctober 1, 2017July 31, 2020

Sign demanding a vote for Catalan independence in Girona, Spain, September 22, 2014 (Keith Roper)

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy maintains “no self-determination referendum” was held in Catalonia on Sunday, although millions voted.
Regional president Carles Puigdemont claims the region has “won the right to be an independent state”.
Hundreds of Catalans were injured in altercations with Spanish riot police. Read more “Catalans Vote for Independence in Controversial Referendum”

Merkel Wins Reelection in Germany But Will Need More Parties to Govern

Atlantic SentinelSeptember 24, 2017July 31, 2020

Germany could see a three-party “Jamaica” coalition after its election on Sunday.
Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats lost support but are still the largest party.
The Social Democrats suffered an historic defeat and have ruled out continuing the left-right “grand coalition”.
The far-right Alternative for Germany has become the third largest party with strong support from the formerly communist East.
The liberal Free Democrats, Greens and far-left Die Linke share fourth place. Read more “Merkel Wins Reelection in Germany But Will Need More Parties to Govern”

Liberal Free Democrats Would Keep Merkel Sharp

Atlantic SentinelSeptember 18, 2017July 31, 2020

Christian Lindner, leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party, gives a news conference in Berlin, January 30, 2018 — Christian Lindner, leader of Germany’s Free Democratic Party, gives a news conference in Berlin, January 30, 2018 (Shutterstock)

There is little doubt Angela Merkel will win reelection in Germany on Sunday. Her Christian Democrats are projected to win up to 40 percent support against 25 percent for the second party, the Social Democrats.

The two could continue to share power in a “grand coalition”, but we’re hoping the liberal Free Democrats will win enough seats to help form a center-right government instead.

Polls suggest that the two parties might just fall short of a majority. Conservative and liberal voters who want to keep the left out of power ought to give the Free Democrats their support. Read more “Liberal Free Democrats Would Keep Merkel Sharp”

May to Stay in Power with Support of Northern Ireland Unionists

Atlantic SentinelJune 9, 2017July 31, 2020

British prime minister Theresa May speaks with the American defense secretary James Mattis at Lancaster House in London, England, May 11 (DoD/Jette Carr)

Britain’s ruling Conservatives have lost their majority in Parliament, going down from 329 to 318 seats.
But they should be able to govern with support from the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland, which has ten seats. Read more “May to Stay in Power with Support of Northern Ireland Unionists”