The rule of law is vital to the advancement of democracy worldwide, which, in turn, will help provide a more prosperous economic environment. Article 8 of Ukraine’s Constitution enshrines a commitment to the rule of law, stating that “the principle of rule of law is recognized and effective.” The essential characteristics of the rule of law include: The supremacy of law, which means that all persons, including government officials, are subject to the law. A justice system with key safeguards, including interpersonal adjudication, law based on standards and robust procedures. Preservation of individual liberties. A political system based on separation of powers, including an independent judiciary. On April 21, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected president of Ukraine by an impressive majority. The election was recognized by all international observers as being democratic and transparent. Hopefully, the election will serve as a model for other countries in the region. Now, … [Read more...] about Legal challenges for President Zelenskyy
Election for president 2015
Corruption tainted Guatemala set to elect new president
Corruption-weary Guatemalans are set to elect a new president Sunday after a tumultuous campaign that saw two leading candidates barred from taking part and the top electoral crimes prosecutor forced to flee the country, fearing for his life. Gang violence, poverty and streams of US-bound migrants have dominated campaigning in Central America's most populous country, where a crowded field of 19 candidates is vying to succeed outgoing president Jimmy Morales. The country's top anti-corruption campaigner, former attorney general Thelma Aldana, is not among them. She was expected to poll strongly, but was barred from running last month over allegations of irregularities dating from when she was a barnstorming public prosecutor. Sandra Torres, a 63-year-old businesswoman and former First Lady, heads into the election as favorite, having built a clear opinion poll lead over second placed Alejandro Giammattei, also 63. Torres -- candidate for the center-left Unity of Hope (UNE) -- has over … [Read more...] about Corruption tainted Guatemala set to elect new president
A really simple guide to the European elections
Europe 7 May 2019 Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with WhatsApp Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window Email Share this with Email Facebook Share this with Facebook Messenger Share this with Messenger Messenger Share this with Messenger Twitter Share this with Twitter Pinterest Share this with Pinterest WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48186027 Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window Close share panel Voters across the EU go to the polls on 23-26 May to elect more than 700 MEPs - members of the European Parliament. MEPs represent more … [Read more...] about A really simple guide to the European elections
Kazakhstan registers opposition politician to run for president
A prominent opposition politician and journalist on Monday won his bid to challenge a trusted ally of strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan's presidential polls next month. The central election commission of the ex-Soviet Central Asian country said it had registered Amirzhan Kosanov, 54, who was nominated by the Ult Tagdyry (Conscience of the Nation) movement as a candidate for the June 9 election. In March, Nazarbayev, 78, shocked the country by calling time on his presidency, but he is still seen as calling the shots in the oil-rich nation of 18 million people. He has endorsed the candidacy of loyalist former senate speaker and diplomat Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 65, who is currently interim leader. Tokayev called a snap presidential vote in April and is standing with the backing of the ruling Nur Otan party, which is still led by Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan's move to allow a long-standing opposition politician's candidacy could be aimed at defusing attempts by Nazarbayev's most … [Read more...] about Kazakhstan registers opposition politician to run for president
Obama sent an aide to talk Biden out running for president in 2016
Barack Obama did his level best to nudge Joe Biden out of the 2016 presidential race, after concluding that Hillary Clinton was more electable. The then-president 'gently pressed' his vice president during a series of weekly lunches, according to a report in The New York Times, tapping him toward the conclusion that he wasn't up to the grueling task of running. And then came the hammer: Obama sent political aide David Plouffe to talk him out of it. It worked. Biden scrapped an announcement speech he had drafted. Instead, he declared alongside Obama in a Rose Garden speech that the time he spent grieving the death of his son Beau from brain cancer had closed the path forward. Now, at age 76, Biden has decided his time has come. But days after he launched his third White House run in earnest, an Obama endorsement still seems a great distance away. The former vice president gamely responded to the lack of a legacy-nod by telling reporters on Thursday that he wanted it that way. 'I … [Read more...] about Obama sent an aide to talk Biden out running for president in 2016