All posts tagged: Referendum

Republicans and Democrats pick primary winners ahead of midterms that could be a Trump referendum

Republicans and Democrats pick primary winners ahead of midterms that could be a Trump referendum

Published by Sam Flores

The ballots are set in two Republican-held battleground House races in Iowa, part of a slate of primaries Tuesday shaping the battle for control of Congress in the fall. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. As far as the primaries were concerned, there wasn’t much suspense in the two districts expected to be most competitive in the fall. Democratic former state Rep. Christina Bohannan will face off against GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for the third consecutive election in the southeastern part of the state, NBC News projects, following up on a 2024 election decided by just a few hundred votes. Meanwhile, Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and GOP Rep. Zach Nunn were unopposed in their primaries ahead of a major clash for the 3rd District, anchored in Des Moines. A third Iowa House race could be competitive this fall: the 2nd District left open by Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson’s bid for the Senate. Former state Rep. Joe Mitchell, who is backed by President Donald Trump, …

Iceland’s foreign minister fears ‘Brexit moment’ in EU accession referendum

Iceland’s foreign minister fears ‘Brexit moment’ in EU accession referendum

Published by Sam Flores

Iceland’s foreign minister has said she fears her country faces a “Brexit moment” in its looming EU referendum amid warnings over misinformation, foreign interference and AI. With just over three months to go until Iceland votes on whether or not to continue accession talks with the EU, developments are being closely watched by Washington, Moscow and Brussels. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir accused individuals and groups from inside and outside the country of “fearmongering”, saying Iceland was being hit with misinformation and rhetoric taken “from the playbook of Nigel Farage and Reform”. She said the referendum was at risk of being a target for Russia and “actors who seek to influence our public debate in a negative way”. Foreign interference and the spread of misinformation could end up affecting the result, the minister warned. “I am fearing that we will face a Brexit moment,” she told the Guardian. “That would be, from my point of view, a rather dangerous path because … there were all kinds of lies put forward by the Brexiteers.” She cited disputed figures …

Venice election turns into test of Meloni’s right-wing cultural revolution – POLITICO

Venice election turns into test of Meloni’s right-wing cultural revolution – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Promoted by sections of the right as the symbol of a new generation ready to challenge Italy’s progressive cultural establishment, Venezi instead became a lightning rod in a broader debate over whether the government’s cultural agenda relied too heavily on political symbolism. Andrea Martella, the center-left candidate for mayor and currently an MP for the Democratic Party, argued the controversies surrounding both La Fenice and the Biennale had damaged the city’s standing. “With both, there was a short circuit between Rome and Venice which ended up humiliating the institutions,” Martella said. “In a city like Venice, this carries enormous weight, because culture is not only part of the past but also the present and future of this extraordinary community: its identity, work, prestige and capacity to attract talent.” Simone Venturini, now the center-right’s candidate for mayor, talks to the press outside Santa Lucia train station in April 2024. | Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images) While Venice has become symbolically important in national politics, the center-right’s candidate for mayor and current councilor for tourism, Simone Venturini, …

Why running Britain is so hard, no matter who does it – POLITICO

Why running Britain is so hard, no matter who does it – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Things can’t only get better  It wasn’t always like this.  The last Labour prime minister to win big before Starmer was Tony Blair. When he came to power in 1997, the U.K. had a bigger economy than China’s, was a leading member of the growing European Union trade bloc, and was approaching peak oil and gas production in the North Sea. Blair led Britain for 10 years.  Nearly three decades on, Starmer inherited a country that has never really recovered from the economic shock of the 2008 financial crisis, is menaced by Russia, and now relies on imports for its energy security.  Keir Starmer celebrates winning the 2024 general election with a speech at Tate Modern in London on July 5, 2024. | Ricky Vigil/Getty Images It has found no lasting remedy for the resentment felt by many communities (outside London, the still-flourishing finance capital) who — over several decades — have seen traditional manufacturing roles move inexorably overseas. as the global economy tilts towards China and other rising powers.  “We had a pretty incredible run from the mid-to late-1980s, through the 1990s, until the [2008] crash,” said Jim O’Neill, a former chief economist at Goldman Sachs and an ex-Treasury …

Norway’s pro-EU voices sense their moment – POLITICO

Norway’s pro-EU voices sense their moment – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“We have this summer to reach a critical mass regarding the EU question,” said Trine Lise Sundnes, a Labor lawmaker and chair of the pro-EU European Movement — an association campaigning for Norway to join the bloc for 80 years now. Letting her gaze sweep across the restaurant, she added: “If we want to achieve that, we need every single one of you.” Norway and Iceland enjoy a similar relationship with the bloc: Deeply integrated into the single market but without full membership — a position many of its citizens are happy with. But if Reykjavik were to pivot toward Brussels, it would not only affect established institutions and trade frameworks, it would leave Oslo much more isolated in its position than before. Norway’s pro-EU camp thinks this will provide a rare window of opportunity. “If Iceland votes yes, it will also trigger a discussion in Norway about whether we should join,” said Sundnes in an interview with WELT — which, like POLITICO, is part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network. “We must be …

What he said … and what he meant – POLITICO

What he said … and what he meant – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

What he meant: Folks, have you noticed there’s a war on? Kicking me out while there’s such instability in the Middle East might not be the best look. ‘Heart of Europe’  What he said: “The last government was defined by breaking our relationship with Europe. This Labour government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe, by putting Britain at the heart of Europe, so that we are stronger on the economy, stronger on trade, stronger on defense.” What he meant: I’ve got to talk about Europe because otherwise Wes Streeting (a possible leadership contender) will —  but I can’t really announce anything new without complex negotiations with Brussels. Any time to chat later, Ursula?  What he said: “What I want to do is take a big leap forward with the EU-U.K. summit this year and take us closer, both on trade, the economy, defense and security and that will then be a platform on which we can build as we go forward. And as we do that, I strongly believe we’ve got to turn our back on the arguments of the past, not open old grievances.” What he meant: I’m not ruling out rejoining the customs …

Keir Starmer braces for his week from hell – POLITICO

Keir Starmer braces for his week from hell – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

If Labour does as badly as predicted — and the SNP wins power again, despite a long-running finances investigation and two changes of first minister since 2023 — there will be huge questions for Starmer about squandering the 2024 success. Sarwar has already called for Starmer to resign. He made the plea in February, hoping a change of PM in Westminster would limit the damage north of the border. Watch to see if anyone else comes out swinging as results filter in through Friday and Saturday. 3) Feeling the Farage factor  Farage has embarked on an extensive tour of England, where city, council and district councils are up for grabs. While much of his success last year came from snatching Tory councils, this time the Reform UK leader wants to park his teal tanks in Labour’s backyard — and show MPs he’s coming for their seats by 2029. The party is aiming for a strong performance across the Midlands and northern England in areas including Barnsley, Gateshead and Sunderland. The latter city includes Education Secretary Bridget …

Former Olympic hammer thrower emerges as Italian left’s anti-Meloni – POLITICO

Former Olympic hammer thrower emerges as Italian left’s anti-Meloni – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Salis’ most prominent initiatives as mayor have been progressive. Her first act was to register the births of 11 children born to lesbian couples abroad, blocked by her right-wing predecessor. She has opened a municipal office for LGBTQ+ rights and introduced a minimum wage for city contracts. She also backed pro-Palestinian causes. Winning the center But amid talk of a national role, she has increasingly shifted her politics toward the center, with a focus on mainstream issues surrounding health, labor, security and migration. The left, she argued, must focus on “pragmatic, concrete” issues. In a competitive contest on the left, Salis’ limited political experience could count against her, but she argued that she was adaptable. After all, she has taken control of one of Italy’s most important cities “by assembling a competent team and learning day by day, like anyone in a new job.” Experience, she argued, came in different forms. She pointed to the discipline of elite sport and her work within Italy’s Olympic system, where she dealt with ministries, international partners and major …

Virginia judge blocks redistricting referendum result

Virginia judge blocks redistricting referendum result

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks with reporters as he walks to his office following a press conference at the U.S. Capitol building on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Samuel Corum | Getty Images A Virginia circuit court judge on Wednesday issued an order blocking the results of a congressional redistricting referendum that could net Democrats four extra seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, in a statement, vowed to fight the order issued by Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley, a Republican appointee, a day after Tuesday’s referendum approved the newly drawn districts. “My office will immediately file an appeal in the Court of Appeals,” Jones said. “As I said last night, Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People’s vote,” the attorney general said. “We look forward to defending the outcome of last night’s election in court.” The Virginia redistricting referendum – which is the latest battleground in the partisan gerrymandering war leading up …