All articles tagged with #legislative elections
Javier Milei's party, La Libertad Avanza, achieved a significant victory in Argentina's legislative elections, gaining the most votes nationwide and in Buenos Aires province, strengthening Milei's position to continue his economic reforms amid a challenging political and economic environment.
Arizona's new 19th century abortion ban is likely to impact the upcoming legislative elections, potentially flipping the Legislature to Democrats. Several Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Shawnna Bolick, Rep. Matt Gress, and Sen. J.D. Mesnard, are facing challenges in competitive districts due to their previous support for the 1864 territorial abortion ban. The revival of this ban has led to calls for repeal from some Republicans, indicating the potential political consequences of the controversial law in the upcoming elections.
Democrats have regained full control of the Virginia General Assembly, dealing a blow to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Democratic Party not only maintained its narrow hold on the State Senate but also captured control of the House of Delegates, where Republicans had held a majority since 2021. The legislative races drew national attention and significant funding, serving as a barometer of Youngkin's influence and national sentiment ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Abortion emerged as a defining issue, with the Supreme Court's decision limiting abortion rights galvanizing Democratic voters. Despite Youngkin's efforts and significant campaign spending, the Democrats prevailed in the elections.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have endorsed 23 Democratic candidates in Virginia ahead of the state's legislative elections. The endorsements include candidates for the state Senate and House of Delegates. If Republicans gain control of both chambers, they will have the ability to pass their legislative priorities, including new restrictions on abortion. Biden and Harris emphasized the importance of protecting reproductive rights, voting rights, and common sense gun safety laws in their joint statement.
More than four-fifths of Mississippi's legislative candidates will have no major-party opposition in the upcoming general election, highlighting a national decline in competition for state legislative seats. Factors such as political gerrymandering, overwhelming party majorities, low lawmaker salaries, and the unpopularity of the incumbent president contribute to the lack of challengers. This raises concerns about the ability of American voters to hold their elected representatives accountable. In contrast, Virginia has seen a decline in the percentage of candidates facing no major-party opposition, with both parties investing heavily in legislative races.
Virginia's legislative primaries on Tuesday could determine the fate of local abortion rulemaking and gun policy, control of two narrowly divided statehouses, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin's legislative agenda. The results could also give some hint about the mood of voters as the 2024 election cycle gets underway. The races are seen as a bellwether for the broader electorate, even as turnout is expected to be low because the contests don't overlap with higher-profile races like those for president or governor.
Guinea-Bissau's opposition coalition, Terra Ranka, led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), has won a majority of seats in parliament in the first legislative elections since President Embalo dissolved the National People’s Assembly more than a year ago. The outcome is a blow for Embalo, who took office in 2020, because it spells the end of his plans to push through a constitutional change that would have allowed him to consolidate power by ridding the country of its semi-presidential system. The small West African state has also faced chronic instability in the shape of repeated coups and contested election results.
Guinea-Bissau's opposition coalition, led by the former ruling PAIGC party, has won a majority in legislative elections, ending President Umaro Sissoco Embalo's plans to push through a change to the constitution that would have allowed him to consolidate power. The West African country has seen frequent political turmoil, with at least 10 coups or attempted coups since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974.
Finland's legislative elections on Sunday could see a shift to the far-right as the anti-immigration Finns Party aims to replace popular Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Social Democrats. The latest polls put the Finns Party and the centre-right National Coalition ahead of the Social Democrats. Negotiations to build a government are expected to be difficult, with the Centre Party, a former heavyweight in Finnish politics, plummeting in support and clashing with the Greens. Marin has ruled out forming a government with the Finns Party, while the National Coalition's leader has kept his options open.