Elections in various countries

[Ares Land]

Ah, yes, I remember that

[bradrn]

What is that…?

EDIT: And yes, he has indeed been named PM.

[Ares Land]

The kid was picking his pockets so he slapped him. That was during his unsuccesful presidential campaign in 2002.
I thought it was ridiculous at best, but it didn't hurt his image or anything. People felt it was the responsible dad, tough on crime thing to do.

So, yeah, this is him. It looks like the RN will agree not to vote a mention of no confidence, which gives them leverage over him but apparently nobody cares. On the left, the PS might agree not to vote against him, but no more. The rest of the left will vote a motion of no confidence. All in all, it's very similar to Barnier's situation. (Bayrou and Barnier are additionally the same age, not that far apart politically, so well, nothing much changes!)

[Raphael]

And now there are apparently reports that the Russians are building a lot more tanks than they need in Ukraine and putting them into storage, presumably for an attack on the EU. Sigh.

[Ares Land]

And now there are apparently reports that the Russians are building a lot more tanks than they need in Ukraine and putting them into storage, presumably for an attack on the EU. Sigh.

Do you have a source for that? A brief googling led to nothing much (except reports that Russia lost more tanks than expected in Ukraine.)

It's probably best not to pay attention too closely to Putin's sick mind games. Not that there isn't anything to worry about (of course there is) but his propaganda is definitely aimed at demoralizing European countries.

[Raphael]

Mainly German-language sources, quoting the EU Defense Commissioner.

[Travis B.]

And Yoon was impeached. Finally. Now it is up to the Constitutional Court to dismiss him...

[Raphael]

Have the Ukrainians gone completely crazy?

[Ares Land]

Have the Ukrainians gone completely crazy?

Are thinking of Kirillov's assassination? If so, that's an impressive move (if, yes, a bit crazy)

[Raphael]

Yes.

[rotting bones]

Have the Ukrainians gone completely crazy?

Are thinking of Kirillov's assassination? If so, that's an impressive move (if, yes, a bit crazy)

I heard Bidenites arguing that Ukraine should ramp up the war with Russia so much that Trump wouldn't be able to stop it without Afghanistan levels of embarrassment.

[Raphael]

For the record, there's now apparently a coalition agreement in Ireland - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and a number of independents.

[WeepingElf]

Here in Germany, Friedrich Merz, chairman and chancellor-candidate of the center-right CDU, is currently playing a dangerous gamble, trying to blackmail the center-left parties into supporting stricter immigration laws (which would violate both the German constitution and EU law) by means of threatening to pass them with help from the far-right AfD. Which shows that his claim that he'll never form a coalition with the AfD probably isn't worth much. I sincerely hope that this gamble will result in a public scandal and cost his party many votes in the upcoming election.

EDIT: The CDU/CSU has now passed a resolution for immigration restrictions (fortunately, not binding; the government can and will ignore it) with the votes of the FDP and the AfD. The Brandmauer gegen rechts has fallen.

[WeepingElf]

Good news from Austria: The coalition talks between the far-right FPÖ and the center-right ÖVP have failed. Now there's a chance of getting a centrist coalition, which surely would be better than far rightists at the helm.

[Ares Land]

Good news from Austria: The coalition talks between the far-right FPÖ and the center-right ÖVP have failed. Now there's a chance of getting a centrist coalition, which surely would be better than far rightists at the helm.

Excellent news.

Oh, and sorry to hear about Germany generally -- Merz is a dangerous man.

[WeepingElf]

Good news from Austria: The coalition talks between the far-right FPÖ and the center-right ÖVP have failed. Now there's a chance of getting a centrist coalition, which surely would be better than far rightists at the helm.

Excellent news.

Oh, and sorry to hear about Germany generally -- Merz is a dangerous man.

Yes, Merz is a dangerous man whom I won't trust - but I hope the shitstorm he raised taught him (or at least his party) a lesson.

[bradrn]

A wonderful quote from the local paper:

It’s always heartening to know there is a Labor backbencher prepared to grumble anonymously to the press about others distracting attention from the government’s message, thereby distracting attention from the government’s message.

And yes, ’tis a sign that the election season is imminent…