Tag: PM

Irish PM Leo Varadkar announces shock resignation

By Peter MURPHY DUBLIN, March 20, 2024 (AFP) – Leo Varadkar on Wednesday announced that he was stepping down as Ireland’s prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party in the governing coalition, citing “personal and political” reasons. Pundits called the surprise move, just 10 weeks before Ireland holds European Parliament and local elections, a “political earthquake”. A general election also has to be held within a year. Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, leader […]

Haiti PM agrees to leave in regional push to end crisis

  By Shaun TANDON KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 12, 2024 (AFP) – Haiti’s prime minister agreed late Monday to step aside as armed gangs plunge his country into anarchy, as he accepted a regional push for a transition that sets the stage for international intervention. Caribbean nations secured Ariel Henry’s resignation at an emergency meeting in Jamaica where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered another $100 million to pave the way for the security force, […]

Next New Zealand PM slams ‘abhorrent’ treatment of Ardern

Wellington, New Zealand | AFP | Sunday 1/22/2023 by Daniel GILHOOLY New Zealand’s incoming prime minister Chris Hipkins criticised the “abhorrent” treatment endured by Jacinda Ardern and vowed on Sunday to shield his own family, three days after her shock resignation. Hours after being unanimously endorsed by Labour Party MPs as the party’s leader and the nation’s next prime minister, Hipkins attacked the personal abuse suffered by Ardern during her more than five years in […]

Outgoing UK PM Johnson promises full backing for Truss

  by Phil HAZLEWOOD Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Boris Johnson on Tuesday promised unswerving support for his successor Liz Truss, as he left Downing Street for the final time as British prime minister to tender his resignation. Johnson, whose tenure was dominated by Brexit and Covid and cut short by scandal, bid farewell to cheers and applause from supporters before heading for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II. In a typical […]

Voters oust government in Australian election: media

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australians voted Saturday to oust Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government, ending a decade of conservative rule, media projections showed. Labor leader Anthony Albanese is on track to win more seats than the ruling coalition, national broadcaster ABC and other media said, with half of the ballots counted. It was not yet clear if Labor would need allies to secure a majority. ABC projections indicated Labor had so far secured 72 […]

UK PM Johnson safe for now, but future in jeopardy over ‘partygate’

  by James PHEBY Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “probably safe” for now despite a scathing report into government lockdown parties, but his long-term future is “very much out of his hands” as police probe the claims, analysts said on Tuesday. Johnson on Monday apologised after his government was criticised for “failures of leadership and judgment” in allowing parties at his offices during lockdown. His position […]

French PM tests positive for Covid

PARIS, France (AFP) — French Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday evening, his office told AFP, adding that he would isolate for 10 days while continuing to work. Castex “immediately carried out a PCR test” after finding out that one of his daughters had tested positive, his office said. Castex had been in Brussels on Monday morning, where he met his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo. He was accompanied on the […]

Fatal stabbing of UK MP declared terrorist incident

by Tolga AKMEN with James PHEBY and Joe JACKSON in London Agence France Presse The fatal stabbing of British MP David Amess was a terrorist incident, police said Saturday, at they investigated the second killing of a UK politician while meeting voters since 2016. The Metropolitan Police said its preliminary findings had revealed “a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”. Amess, a 69-year-old pro-Brexit Conservative lawmaker, was stabbed to death inside a church on Friday […]

Fumio Kishida: calm centrist picked as Japan’s next PM

by Katie Forster TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s next leader Fumio Kishida is a soft-spoken former foreign minister from a Hiroshima family of politicians, with a reputation of seeking the middle ground and a fondness for baseball. The 64-year-old won the ruling party’s leadership vote on Wednesday, beating popular vaccine chief Taro Kono to finally clinch a job he has long targeted. It was second time lucky for the experienced politician: he lost out in […]

Canada’s liberal PM takes aim at conservatives 10 days before ballot

by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a possible election defeat and a barrage of criticism over climate and foreign policies, tried to paint his Conservative rival as unready to lead on a debate stage Thursday. The nationally televised primetime debate was Trudeau’s last opportunity to face-off in person against the Tories’ rookie captain Erin O’Toole in a bid to sway voters. Canadians go to the polls on […]

Malaysia PM quits after just 17 months in office

by Sam Reeves / M. Jegathesan KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysia’s prime minister and his government resigned Monday after just 17 months in office, throwing the country into fresh political turmoil as it battles a serious coronavirus outbreak. Muhyiddin Yassin’s tumultuous period in office came to an end after allies withdrew support and a last-ditch bid to cling to power failed, and he becomes the shortest serving premier in Malaysian history. After a final […]

Malaysian PM rejects mounting calls to quit

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin refused to yield to mounting calls to quit Wednesday but said he would face a no-confidence vote in parliament in September. Political tensions have been escalating in the country after the king rebuked the administration for misleading parliament and hundreds staged a rare anti-government protest last weekend. The latest blow came Tuesday when several members of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the biggest party […]