Domestic Politics

According to the Russian Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, thousands of North Koreans are set to assist in the reconstruction efforts in the Russian border region of Kursk, which recently witnessed intense fighting between Russia and Ukraine.

The political crises in Georgia that started after disputed parliamentary elections at the end of last year, shows no sign of easing. The government, formed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, appears exhausted. Its strategy of wearing out the opposition failed. It is now increasingly resorting to repression. Many opposition activists have been arrested, and the Government keeps introducing laws and administrative measures that are meant to tighten its control of the country, but in practice increase the resolve of its opponents. The Georgian Dream government is at a dead end.

On Thursday (12 June), the United Nations issued a warning that parts of South Sudan’s Upper Nile region are on the brink of famine due to ongoing conflict between government forces and armed militias.

For over a week now, the Armenian public has been subjected to another unedifying spectacle between the country’s political and spiritual leadership. Tirades posted on social media by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan targeting Armenian Catholicos Karekin II, who he accuses of fathering at least one child despite an oath of celibacy, have been incendiary. The allegation is not new. Armenian media even named an alleged daughter back in 2013. However, Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan, further ratcheted up tensions by referring to some members of the clergy as paedophiles while not presenting any evidence.

A wave of right-wing sentiment is gripping the world, not least in Europe where right-wing parties that until yesterday were considered to be on the fringe of the political spectrum, are now knocking on the doors of government, if they are not in government already. It is no longer possible to dismiss this movement, nor to ignore it. The question needs to be asked why people are flocking to these parties. Migration is often cited as a reason, but whilst a factor, on its own this is not an adequate explanation. Thousands of people, who until recently voted for the centre-left, or centre-right parties – in Europe usually associated with Social Democrats and Christian Democrats – are now supporting parties, some of who have a pedigree in fascism and nazism. Yet many who vote for far-right and populist parties are neither fascists nor nazis. They are mostly decent working people, and their families, who are disillusioned by the political class, often described as the political elite, and are in desperation seeking something different.

Italians go to vote on 8 and 9 June in a referendum that is dividing the nation and will help define "Who is Italian". Until the mid-19th century Italy was "a mere geographical expression", divided in small states and parts of it occupied by foreign powers. Eventually, the Italian language brought people together, and the Italian state as we know it emerged by 1871. In todays Italy, the question of who gets to be Italian is a sensitive one. Large numbers of migrants and refugees arrive in the country each year helped across the Mediterranean from North Africa by smuggling gangs. The national referendum on Sunday and Monday proposes halving the time required to apply for Italian citizenship. Cutting the wait from 10 years to five would bring this country in line with most others in Europe. The referendum was initiated by a citizens' initiative and is supported by civil society groups. But for such a referendum to be valid, 50% of all voters in Italy have to turn up. Giorgia Meloni, the country's hard-right prime minister, has announced she will boycott the vote, declaring the citizenship law already "excellent" and "very open". Other parties allied to her are calling on Italians to go to the beach instead of the polling station.

On Wednesday (4 June), US President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban affecting 12 countries, including seven in Africa: Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Burundi, Sierra Leone and Togo also face partial restrictions. President Trump justified the ban as a national security measure aimed at protecting the United States from foreign threats. The ban is set to take effect on Monday (9 June).