Latest news with #politicalcrisis
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Fubara meeting wit Tinubu na sign say peace don dey near for Rivers politics?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meeting wit suspended Governor of Rivers State for im Lagos residence dey fuel speculations say di State of emergency declared for Rivers State and suspension of di fit dey lifted soon? Dis meeting wey hold bypass di Minister of di Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for di political tok-tok, wey dey fuel speculations wey dey make many pipo dey feel say di suspended governor fit dey reinstated soon. Di meeting, wey hold behind closed doors for di President private Bourdillon residence for Ikoyi, Lagos, mark di second known meeting between Tinubu and Fubara in recent times. Di first meeting na a four-hour meeting wey happun for London. E hold while di President bin dey recover from medical treatment in Germany. One tin wey dey noticeable from both meetings na di absence of Nyesom Wike, di political godfather and critic of Fubara, wey don also admit say e bin no dey aware of di President plan to declare a state of emergency for di State wey happen on 28 March 2025, more than two months ago. Wike later confam for one media chat say e no bin dey consulted bifor di suspension of democratic institutions in Rivers State. Di imposition of emergency rule for Rivers State, wey President Tinubu announce after prolonged political unrest, lead to suspension of all elected institutions and di appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator—a move wey don draw sharp criticisms from civil society groups, legal scholars, and opposition politicians. 'Handshake no mean anytin until di State of emergency dey lifted' - Ann Kio Briggs' One of such pesins wey don criticise dis imposition of di State of emergency and a elder for Rivers State na Ann Kio Briggs, a notable Niger Delta rights activist. She tell BBC Pidgin say a handshake between Governor Fubara and President fit mean a lot of tins but until di State of emergency dey lifted and democratic rules reinstated for di State, e no make sense. Ann Kio Briggs say di State of emergency for Rivers still no dey acceptable and wen she see di picture of di handshake between Fubara and Tinubu, e still no remove di reality of di impact of di state of emergency on di State and di pipo. "No be about a handshake wit di President but na about weda di President understand wetin dey go on for Rivers State. Na about di President listening to di pipo of Rivers State and more critically, na about wetin Governor Siminialayi Fubara dey prepared to do for di pipo of Rivers State and to realise say just becos pesin dey prepared to do somtin no mean say dat na di best tin for di pipo, if di pipo no agree wit am. Foto dem wey di presidency release afta di meeting show Tinubu and Fubara dey smile, a gesture wey many pipo feel say fit signal say negotiations dey progress behind di scenes. 'Na good sign for Rivers State' - Henry Ekine For Henry Ekine wey be lawyer and di National legal adviser, Committee for Human Rights, say di handshake between Fubara and Tinubu na good signal as govnor Fubara wey still be di elected govnor of Rivers State get right to visit and interact with di President. E tell BBC Pidgin say e dey okay to speculate say such visit fit give an indication of a possible truce and lifting of di suspension on di Governor. Ekine say Section 305 of di Constitution wey President Tinubu rely on to declare di State of emergency na to di effect say di State of emergency fit dey lifted at any time, even a day after di proclamation. So e no mean say e must complete di six months wey bin dey declared bifor di emergency fit dey lifted. "E dey possible say about three months into di State of emergency di President fit exercise dat discretion or power again to even lift di State of emergency, but e dey important to note say di President fit lift a part of dat State of emergency e declare. "Di possibility dey say di President fit lift di suspension of di Governor of Rivers State and di House of Assembly while di State of emergency go continue until di six months end. "I bin don tok bifor say di State of emergency fit dey declared without suspending di governor or di House of Assembly. So e mean say di governor fit dey called back to office and di State of emergency continue for di remaining three months. "Seeing di President and di govnor of Rivers State in dat very cordial posture for di picture na clear indication say peace fit dey very close, especially as di Governor sef don tok say discussions dey go on. Dat na di best for Rivers State." E tok. Any end in sight? Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Ibas Rtd still dey kontinu to act as usual, wey dey raise concerns say di emergency rule fit dey extended or institutionalized. On Tuesday, e announce di appointment of 11 new permanent secretaries for Rivers State, wey e swear in on wednesday and dis action dey further deepen fears say di interim arrangement fit become permanent. Despite public silence from both di presidency and di governor media teams regarding di meetings, political observers note say di timing, wey dey come just few days to Democracy Day, dey suggest a calculated effort to restore normalcy while managing di internal gbege within di PDP and di broader political implications for 2027. Wetin Wike don tok so far? For media chat on Monday, Wike say e no get any personal grudge against Fubara but insist say di govnor go align imself wit individuals e describe as "enemies of di State," wey include former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Transportation Minister Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and former lawmakers Austin Opara, Lee Maeba, and Celestine Omehia—eey hin be former allies but now don turn rival. Wike tok and contradictions don further shake di political waters for Rivers becos as e dey call for loyalty to President Tinubu leadership, e also dey lament say e dey sidelined from critical decisions regarding im home state. Wetin Governor Fubara don tok so far? Meanwhile, Governor Fubara dey mainly silent since all dis tins dey happun. Wen e handover of state affairs to di sole administrator, Fubara urge im supporters to remain calm and avoid divisive actions. During Late Pa Edwin Clark night of tributes, e lambast some of di pipo wey dey protest about di State of emergency and criticise to dey careful with wetin dem dey tok and to ask am weda eem don check with am to see if e gree with dem? E say im spirit don comot for Goment House but e still dey committed to di peace process and to work in di best interest of di State but say e for good if pipo no use dia actions and toks to spoil di peace process Wey dey ongoing. For im Democracy Day massage on 29 May, e praise Tinubu for intervening in di political crisis and tell di pipo of di State to keep hope alive. As June 12 dey approach, all eyes dey on di presidency to see weda President Tinubu go lift di emergency rule and restore democratic governance in Rivers - or e go kontinu to play di long game for di political gameboard? Na wetim di pipo dey wait to see.
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
By Richard Carter , AFP Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders Photo: AFP / ANP Far-right leader Geert Wilders has brought down the Dutch governmentby pulling out of a shaky coalition in a row over immigration, sparking a political crisis and likely heralding fresh elections. The withdrawal on Tuesday (European time) came just weeks before a NATO summit in the Netherlands, and ushered in a period of uncertainty for the European Union's fifth-largest economy and major exporter. After a stormy last-ditch meeting aimed at salvaging the four-party coalition, Wilders emerged to say he had no choice but to pull his ministers out of the cabinet. "I signed up for the strictest asylum policy, not for the downfall of the Netherlands," said Wilders, 61, whose far-right Freedom Party (PVV) handily won elections in November 2023. Prime Minister Dick Schoof described the decision as "unnecessary and irresponsible" and said he would offer the resignation of the PVV ministers to King Willem-Alexander. "I will continue as a caretaker... until a new cabinet is in place. Because life in the Netherlands and abroad does go on," he told reporters. Wilders had agreed with coalition partners to push through what he called the "strictest-ever immigration policy", but he has since said the pace of its introduction had been too slow. Eighteen months after that surprise election victory sent shockwaves through Europe, polls suggest his PVV is still the strongest party. However, the gap to his nearest rivals has narrowed, with the Green/Left party of former European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans following close behind. The liberal VVD party, a traditional powerhouse in Dutch politics, is also running near the top two, meaning any election would likely be closely fought. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz, visibly angry, described Wilders' move as "super irresponsible", adding she was afraid it would open the door to left-wing parties. "How can you do this to the Netherlands," she asked. Any elections would likely be held after the summer break, Sarah de Lange, professor of political pluralism at the University of Amsterdam, told AFP. "New elections are likely, but in the Netherlands, organising them takes almost three months. Snap elections in the Netherlands are not as quick as in other countries," she said. In late May, Wilders called an impromptu press conference to announce his "patience has now run out" with Schoof's government. He threatened to torpedo the coalition if a new 10-point plan to crimp immigration was not implemented within a few weeks. His plan included border closures for asylum seekers, tougher border controls in general and deporting dual nationals convicted of a crime. Political and legal experts criticised the plans as unworkable or illegal, with some suggesting Wilders was creating a crisis to collapse the government. The far-right leader has often been called the "Dutch Trump" for his anti-immigrant views and instantly recognisable bouffant hairstyle. His ambitions to lead his country were frustrated after his election win, as his coalition partners blocked his premiership bid, settling instead on Schoof as a compromise candidate. The leaders of the four coalition partners agreed not to take up cabinet positions, instead running their parties as parliamentary chiefs. Wilders has been an uncompromising figure in parliament, his quick-witted jousting with Timmermans being a highlight of debates. He has frequently said that the only way to implement his anti-immigrant policies is for him to become prime minister . However, in the fractured Dutch political system, no party can win an absolute majority in the 150-seat parliament and Wilders will need partners. He can count on the support of the BBB farmers' party. The backing of the VVD, currently an uneasy coalition partner, is less certain. The fourth party in the current coalition - the anti-corruption New Social Contract - has seen support collapse since charismatic leader Pieter Omtzigt stepped down. Far-right parties have been on the rise across Europe. In May, the far-right Chega ("Enough") party took second place in Portuguese elections. In Germany, the anti-immigration far-right AfD doubled its score in legislative elections in February, reaching 20.8 percent. And in Britain, polls show the anti-immigration, hard-right Reform UK party of Nigel Farage is making significant gains following a breakthrough in local elections. -AFP
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Geert Wilders pulls far-right party from Dutch coalition in dispute over migration
Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party Dutch coalition Tuesday in dispute over a crackdown on migration, sparking a political crisis and possibly the end of the 11-month-old government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. The government meltdown comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague and amid global instability. It was unclear what would happen next. The government could attempt to remain in power as a minority administration or call new elections for later this year. Schoof called an emergency cabinet meeting for early afternoon. Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. 'I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands,' said Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the centre-left opposition is negligible. Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. 'The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way,' Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Wilders' involvement in the government. 'I'm shocked,' Yesilgoz said, calling Wilders' decision 'super-irresponsible.' After years in opposition, Wilders' party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalition's efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Wilders demanded coalition partners sign on to a 10-point plan that aims to radically slash migration, including using the army to guard land borders and turning away all asylum-seekers. He said at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party 'is out of the Cabinet.' He made good on that pledge Tuesday. Wilders' decision comes days after conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Poland's weekend presidential runoff election, a victory that suggests that Poland will likely take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Doug Saunders: What America's Democrats should learn from Poland's shocking presidential election It is not the first time Wilders has turned his back on power. He pledged his support to a minority government led by former Prime Minister Mark Rutte in 2010, but walked away less than two years later after a dispute about government austerity measures. 'You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition ... it won't go well,' Rob Jetten, leader of the opposition D66 party, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Caroline van der Plas, leader of the pro-agriculture populist Farmers Citizens Movement that is part of the coalition, said she was angry at Wilders' decision. 'He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first,' she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the New Social Contract party that has taken a battering in polls since joining the coalition and the departure of its talismanic leader Pieter Omtzigt, said the government could continue without Wilders, saying a minority Cabinet 'is definitely an option.' Frans Timmermans, the former European Commission climate chief who now leads the main opposition bloc in parliament, welcomed Wilders' decision. He said he would not support a minority government and called for fresh elections as soon as possible. 'Well, I think it's an opportunity for all democratic parties to rid ourselves of the extremes because it's clear that with the extremes you can't govern. When things get difficult, they run away,' he told the Associated Press.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Far-right lawmaker Wilders pulls his party out of ruling Dutch coalition in dispute over migration
Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders talks to the media after pulling his party out of the four-party Dutch coalition in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled his party out of the ruling four-party Dutch coalition Tuesday in dispute over a crackdown on migration, sparking a political crisis and possibly the end of the 11-month-old government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. The government meltdown comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of NATO leaders in The Hague and amid global instability. It was unclear what would happen next. The government could attempt to remain in power as a minority administration or call new elections for later this year. Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for early afternoon. Wilders blames inaction on migration Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. 'I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands,' said Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the center-left opposition is negligible. Prime minister appealed for leaders to act responsibly Dilan Yesilgöz, leader of the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. 'The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way,' Yesilgöz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Wilders' involvement in the government. 'I'm shocked,' Yesilgöz said, calling Wilders' decision 'super-irresponsible.' After years in opposition, Wilders' party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalition's efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Wilders demanded coalition partners sign on to a 10-point plan that aims to radically slash migration, including using the army to guard land borders and turning away all asylum-seekers. He said at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party 'is out of the Cabinet.' He made good on that pledge Tuesday. Wilders' decision comes days after conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Poland's weekend presidential runoff election, a victory that suggests that Poland will likely take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. It is not the first time Wilders has turned his back on power. He pledged his support to a minority government led by former Prime Minister Mark Rutte in 2010, but walked away less than two years later after a dispute about government austerity measures. 'You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition ... it won't go well,' Rob Jetten, leader of the opposition D66 party, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Other coalition leaders look to uncertain political future Caroline van der Plas, leader of the pro-agriculture populist Farmers Citizens Movement that is part of the coalition, said she was angry at Wilders' decision. 'He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first,' she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the New Social Contract party that has taken a battering in polls since joining the coalition and the departure of its talismanic leader Pieter Omtzigt, said the government could continue without Wilders, saying a minority Cabinet 'is definitely an option.' Opposition welcomes Wilders' departure Frans Timmermans, the former European Commission climate chief who now leads the main opposition bloc in parliament, welcomed Wilders' decision. He said he would not support a minority government and called for fresh elections as soon as possible. 'Well, I think it's an opportunity for all democratic parties to rid ourselves of the extremes because it's clear that with the extremes you can't govern. When things get difficult, they run away,' he told The Associated Press. Mike Corder, The Associated Press
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Wilders pulls his party out of ruling Dutch coalition in dispute over migration
Far-right politician Geert Wilders has pulled his party out of the ruling Dutch coalition in dispute over a crackdown on migration, sparking a political crisis and possibly the end of the 11-month-old government of prime minister Dick Schoof. Mr Wilders announced his decision in a message on X after a brief meeting in parliament of leaders of the four parties that make up the fractious administration. Advertisement The government meltdown comes just three weeks before the Netherlands is scheduled to host a summit of Nato leaders in The Hague and amid global instability. It was unclear what would happen next. The government could attempt to remain in power as a minority administration or call new elections for later this year. Schoof called an emergency Cabinet meeting for early afternoon. Netherland's Prime Minister Dick Schoof (Omar Havana/AP) Mr Wilders told reporters that he was withdrawing his support for the coalition and pulling his ministers out of the Cabinet over its failure to act on his desire for a clampdown on migration. 'I signed up for the toughest asylum policy and not the downfall of the Netherlands,' said Mr Wilders, whose Party for Freedom is still riding high in Dutch opinion polls, though the gap with the centre-left opposition is negligible. Advertisement Dilan Yesilgoz, leader of the right-wing People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, said before the meeting that Mr Schoof urged the leaders to act responsibly. 'The prime minister who appealed to us this morning said that we are facing enormous international challenges, we have a war on our continent, an economic crisis may be coming our way,' Mr Yesilgoz told reporters in parliament. But just minutes later, the meeting was over and so was Mr Wilders' involvement in the government. 'I'm shocked,' Mr Yesilgoz said, calling Mr Wilders' decision 'super-irresponsible'. Advertisement After years in opposition, Mr Wilders' party won the last election on pledges to slash migration. He has grown increasingly frustrated at what he sees as the slow pace of the coalition's efforts to implement his plans. Last week, Mr Wilders demanded coalition partners sign on to a 10-point plan that aims to radically slash migration, including using the army to guard land borders and turning away all asylum-seekers. He said at the time that if immigration policy is not toughened up, his party 'is out of the Cabinet'. Mr Wilders' decision comes days after conservative Karol Nawrocki was announced the winner of Poland's weekend presidential run-off election, a victory that suggests that Poland will likely take a more populist and nationalist path under its new president, who was backed by US president Donald Trump. Advertisement It is not the first time Mr Wilders has turned his back on power. He pledged his support to a minority government led by former prime minister Mark Rutte in 2010, but walked away less than two years later after a dispute about government austerity measures. 'You know that if you work with Wilders in a coalition … it won't go well,' Rob Jetten, leader of the opposition D66 party, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Caroline van der Plas, leader of the pro-agriculture populist Farmers Citizens Movement that is part of the coalition, said she was angry at Mr Wilders' decision. 'He is not putting the Netherlands first, he is putting Geert Wilders first,' she told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Advertisement Nicolien van Vroonhoven, leader of the New Social Contract party that has taken a battering in polls since joining the coalition and the departure of its talismanic leader Pieter Omtzigt, said the government could continue without Mr Wilders, saying a minority Cabinet 'is definitely an option.'
