A new "Brexit Party", backed by Nigel Farage (pictured January 2019), has been recognised by the British Electoral Commission, meaning the party can contest elections in Britain -- and potentially in the European Parliament if Brexit is delayed. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News LONDON — British electoral authorities said on Friday they had officially recognised a new "Brexit Party" backed by Nigel Farage, a key campaigner in the referendum vote to leave the European Union. Recognition by the Electoral Commission means the party can now contest elections in Britain -- and potentially in the European Parliament if Brexit is delayed beyond March 29. "The party was founded with my full support and with the intention of fighting the European election on May 23 if Brexit has not been delivered by then," Farage told the Daily Telegraph newspaper. He said he would stand for election, adding that the party had received "hundreds of applications" from other would-be candidates, … [Read more...] about Farage’s new ’Brexit Party’ wins official recognition
Conservatives party leader
Party leader extends Tet greetings to doctor, artist
Mr. Vo Van Thuong extended Tet wishes to Meritorious Artist Minh Vuong and honored his legendary roles in popular Cai Luong (reformed opera) plays and outstanding contribution to the Cai Luong stage in HCMC. He stressed that Cai Luong has a strong vitality and has made many contributions in the Vietnamese culture. Politburo member Thuong hoped that the traditional music genre of the southern region will approach transformation to keep it alive and attract more audiences. The leader was also interested in preserving a collection of photos of the cai luong stage that has been kept for many decades by the artist; and committed to supporting Meritorious Artist Minh Vuong to conserve his mementoes. Artist Minh Vuong (whose real name is Nguyen Van Vung) is one of the leading cai luong actors in Southern region. He was born in 1950 in Long An province. He was introduced to cai luong at the age of 7 and joined the Kim Chung cai luong art troupe at 14. He became a leading actor when he was … [Read more...] about Party leader extends Tet greetings to doctor, artist
End of an era: Merkel passes torch to new party leader
CDU Secretary General Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, known as AKK, a close collaborator of Merkel's is viewed as someone who maintain her legacy AFP/Odd ANDERSEN The contest's outcome is expected to be crucial in deciding whether Merkel, Europe's most influential leader, can realise her stated goal of completing her fourth term in 2021 and then leaving politics. Merkel, 64, is quitting the helm of her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after a series of poll setbacks rooted in controversy over her liberal refugee policy. "I'm very grateful that I could be party chairwoman for 18 years - it is a very, very long time and the CDU of course had its ups and downs," Merkel said as she arrived at the conference venue in Hamburg. "But we won four national elections together ... and I am happy I can remain chancellor." Merkel has led Germany since 2005, and moved the party and country steadily toward the political centre. More generous family leave, an exit from nuclear power and an … [Read more...] about End of an era: Merkel passes torch to new party leader
Mexico slaps huge fine on president-elect’s party
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s electoral authorities imposed a US$10-million fine on Wednesday on President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s party for fraudulently using money from a trust fund for earthquake victims in its campaign. The National Electoral Institute ruled the anti-establishment leftist’s Morena party broke the law by raising 78.8 million pesos ($4.1 million) for victims of the September 19 earthquake that devastated central Mexico, killing 360 people and causing scores of buildings to collapse. It is unclear how much of the money actually went to earthquake victims. And even if it did, political parties are not allowed to give money to the public, the electoral institute said. Lopez Obrador, who won a landslide victory in Mexico’s July 1 elections, personally announced the fund several days after the earthquake, encouraging all Mexicans to "do your part" to help the victims. But in a 10 to one vote, the electoral institute’s general … [Read more...] about Mexico slaps huge fine on president-elect’s party
Mexico ruling party leader resigns after election rout
MEXICO CITY — The leader of Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party resigned Monday for "personal reasons" after it suffered a crushing loss in elections that swept the anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to power. Rene Juarez, who spent less than three months in the post, oversaw the PRI’s worst election defeat since its founding in 1929. "Today we have to ask ourselves... what is the real, profound transformation our party needs? I can only conclude that the PRI’s future transformation has to be as big as our current defeat," he said in a press conference. He will be replaced by the party’s secretary general, Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, niece of former president Carlos Salinas (1988-1994). The PRI, long the dominant force in Mexican politics, ruled the country as a one-party state for 71 years, before losing power at the ballot box in 2000 to the conservative National Action Party (PAN). It convinced voters to give it … [Read more...] about Mexico ruling party leader resigns after election rout