Latest news with #European
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Portugal far-right party becomes second biggest in parliament
Hard-right populist party Chega leader Andre Ventura (AP) LISBON: Portugal's far-right Chega party won second place in snap elections last week, according to final results published Wednesday, making it the official opposition party in the country just six years after its creation. Chega, which means "Enough", and the left-wing Socialist Party (PS) had been level on 58 seats after the provisional results from the May 18 poll. But the far-right party won two of the previously unannounced four overseas constituencies, taking its tally to 60. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) claimed the other two overseas seats, taking its total to 91, still far from the 116 seats needed to form a majority government. The Social Democratic Party of outgoing prime minister Luis Montenegro is the main party of the alliance. "It is a big victory," said Chega founder and leader Andre Ventura, claiming that it "marks a profound change in the Portuguese political system". Montenegro is expected to try to form a minority government after the latest election and he has said he will not deal with Chega. But Ventura called on Montenegro to "break" with the Socialists. "Portugal is moving in line with the European trend" for a "protest vote" and "anti-establishment sentiment", said Paula Espirito Santo at Lisbon University's Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences. 'Divine mission' Support for Chega has grown in every general election since the party was founded in 2019 by Ventura, a former trainee priest who later became a television football commentator. It won 1.3 percent of the vote in a general election the year it was founded, giving it a seat in parliament, the first time a far-right party had won representation in Portugal's legislature since a coup in 1974 toppled a decades-long rightist dictatorship. Chega became the third-largest force in parliament in the next general election in 2022 and quadrupled its parliamentary seats last year to 50, cementing its place in Portugal's political landscape and mirroring gains by similar parties across Europe. Chega's policies include chemical castration for paedophiles, limiting newcomers' access to welfare benefits, and stricter controls on migration, which it links to crime and higher pensions. Ventura attended US President Donald Trump's inauguration in January and has embraced the support of Brazil's former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro. He speaks of restoring respect for the police and has protested on the streets with Movement Zero, a group of disgruntled police officers with suspected extremist ties who are demanding better pay and conditions. "In politics, you have to be different. And I wanted to be different," Ventura once said of himself, before adding that his path had been guided by a "divine mission". 'Fundamental shift' When preliminary election results came in last week, Ventura said he was confident his party would eventually finish ahead of the PS. "Nothing will ever be the same again," Ventura told his supporters, who chanted "Portugal is ours and it always will be". "This is indeed a fundamental shift," said analyst Espirito Santo. "We cannot say that Chega will lose ground in the coming years... It looks as though Chega is here to stay for a while." Many voters "certainly support the radical and anti-establishment solutions that Chega proposes" but others may have chosen the party "because of the erosion of the traditional parties' ability to meet expectations", she said. The future of the Socialist Party meanwhile remains "unpredictable", Espirito Santo said. Party leader Pedro Nuno Santos, a 48-year-old economist, said he would stand down after the initial election results were announced. Under a previous PS government, Portugal became one of Europe's most open countries for immigrants. Between 2017 and 2024, the number of foreigners living in Portugal quadrupled, reaching about 15 percent of the total population. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is to hold new talks with the leaders of the three main parties on Thursday and could name a new prime minister during the day.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
NATO floats cybersecurity to be included in new spending target
NATO proposed including expenditures on cybersecurity and activities related to border and coastal security to qualify for the military alliance 's new defense-related spending target of 1.5% of GDP. NATO started negotiations with countries on what will be allowed under its new spending target that it plans to adopt at a June summit, according to a document shared with member countries and people familiar with the matter. The total spending target will be 5% of GDP, with 3.5% on hard defense expenditures and 1.5% on defense-related outlays. Other expenditures that may qualify for the 1.5% portion will be protecting critical infrastructure spending, non-defense intelligence agencies and space-related activities, according to the document. A broader definition of what qualifies as a defense-related outlay would make it easier for countries to meet the target, with some nations lobbying to have expenditures such as counter-terrorism to be included. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this week that he expected alliance members to approve the new 5% target. A spokesperson from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Talks are expected to continue in NATO's policy and planning committee Wednesday, according to the document. The proposal is subject to change and will form the basis for discussion among alliance members, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Infrastructure expenditures, particularly for the purpose of military mobility, will likely be included, according to the document. Those outlays will have to contribute to the military alliances defense plans or enable the use of the core-defense spending activities. Southern NATO countries are pushing for counter-terrorism related spending to be included, some of the people said. The inclusion of dual-use goods other than infrastructure will also have to be agreed on, said people, who stressed an agreement will need to be found before the summit. Kyiv is pushing for Ukraine aid to count toward this spending, according to a person familiar with the matter. This would allow the country to make up for the fact that NATO isn't currently discussing the renewal of last year's €40 billion ($45.3 billion) pledge for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump first demanded allies spend 5% earlier this year after threatening to pull out of the alliance or to only protect the allies that spent enough on defense. The figure was widely regarded as unrealistic when he first mentioned it, but European allies and Canada have come around to the understanding that their spending had to drastically increase. Only 23 out of 32 allies reached the current spending target of 2%, according to NATO's annual report published in April. But all of them are expected to meet it by the summer, Bloomberg reported earlier.
eNCA
37 minutes ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final
WROCLAW - Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, becoming the first club to complete a clean sweep of European trophies. Manuel Pellegrini's enterprising Betis caught the favourites cold with an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli against a flat-footed and listless Chelsea. But Enzo Maresca's second-half substitutions injected energy and Cole Palmer changed the complexion of the game in a five-minute spell, setting up Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson to score. Substitute Jadon Sancho made the game safe in the 83rd minute as the Spanish side faded in their first European final and Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline. Chelsea are the first club to win the full set of five UEFA club tournaments -- the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won their first silverware since Todd Boehly's consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club. Boehly was on the pitch at the end, savouring the win that seemed unlikely when Betis were in control in the first half. Chelsea have ended the season with a flourish after also securing a place in next season's Champions League following a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League. Maresca, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, said he hoped Conference League glory would be a launchpad for the club. "The club have invested lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results," Maresca told TNT Sports.
Business Upturn
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Europa Conference League: Chelsea beat Real Betis by 4-1 in the finals; Becomes the first team to reach this milestone
Chelsea have defeated Real Betis in the finals of the Europa Conference League by 4-1. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 29, 2025, 08:30 IST Chelsea have defeated Real Betis in the finals of the Europa Conference League by 4-1. The trophy has been secured by Enzo Maresca's men and they deserved to lift the title with their performances throughout the season. Betis who gave their heart in this league was not able to clinch the trophy in the end. Despite leading by 1-0 in the whole first half, Betis couldn't capitalise later on. Chelsea scored 4 in the second half starting with Enzo Fernandez's goal. Other scorers for Chelsea were Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Caicedo. Chelsea have been crowned UEFA Europa Conference League champions after a stunning 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the final. Enzo Maresca's men delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure their first major European trophy since 2021. Real Betis started brightly and were rewarded with an early goal, maintaining their 1-0 lead throughout the first half. The Spanish side fought with heart and spirit, but Chelsea came out roaring after the break. Enzo Fernández opened the floodgates with a clinical finish to level the scoreline. What followed was a relentless Chelsea attack, as Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo added their names to the scoresheet to seal a memorable win. It was a well-deserved triumph for the Blues, who remained consistent and focused throughout the tournament. While Betis fell short at the final hurdle, their journey to the final was commendable. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Business Upturn
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
AC Milan approach Massimiliano Allegri for the new head coach role
AC Milan are in the market for new manager as the former man Sergio conceicao has left the club. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 29, 2025, 08:39 IST AC Milan are in the market for new manager as the former man Sergio conceicao has left the club. There have been reports that the club are looking to make Massimiliano Allegri their new head coach. They have also sent formal proposal to the former Juventus manager. There's a feeling among experts and fans that this managerial change will happen. AC Milan have entered the hunt for a new manager following the departure of Sergio Conceição, who has stepped down after just one season at the helm. The Rossoneri are now reportedly targeting a familiar face to take charge, with former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri emerging as the frontrunner. According to multiple reports, the Milan hierarchy has already sent a formal proposal to Allegri, who previously managed the club from 2010 to 2014, winning the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season. The 56-year-old tactician parted ways with Juventus earlier this year and is said to be open to a return to San Siro. There is growing optimism among fans and pundits that this managerial change is imminent. Allegri's experience, tactical flexibility, and past success with the club make him an attractive candidate to lead Milan into a new chapter as they aim to reclaim domestic and European glory. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
