USA: Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday is a day when most states hold their primaries. In less than twenty-four hours, it generally determines the presidential duel. This year, it took place on March 5th. It confirmed that another Trump-Biden duel will happen in the next presidential elections, both of them dominating their primary with no important competitor left. However, a recent poll found that 67 percent of respondents were “tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections and want someone new”. This concentration of an important segment of US democracy in one day shows the weaknesses of the American electoral system and representativity. The bipartisan system is democratically unsatisfying, strongly limiting electors’ possible choices.

Source: Al Jazeera

2. Ghana: identifying as LGBTQ+ is now illegal

LGBTQ+ face several discriminations in Ghana. Instead of protecting their rights, the state exacerbates the pressure of anti-LGBT conservatism. Physical and violent attacks are common against homosexuals, which a large majority of Ghana’s population sees negatively. In February, the parliament voted for a new bill, criminalising identifying as LGBTQ+, gay sex is already illegal. Every citizen who declares himself to be part of the LGBTQ could now face up to three years in jail. This law, which is weakening the tight LGBT rights in Ghana, could be adopted only if President Nana Akufo Addo signs the bill. He declared that he would do so if the population wanted it.

Source: Human Rights Watch

3. Iran: low election turnout

Iran’s recent parliamentary elections were characterised by the lower turnout since the foundation of the Islamic Republic. Reports indicate a participation under 41%. Consequences of the massive protest since the assassination of Masha Amina, this shows the lack of trust of the population in the political system. The elections resulted in a reinforcement of the hard conservative line in the parliament, and comfort the power of Ali Khamenei, the actual Supreme Leader. Such a low turnout is a signal against the Islamic Republic and all religious political systems. The idea of organising “democratic” votes while imposing reactionary ideas on the people is and will always be fundamentally contradictory. The Iranian political crisis displays the strength of Iranian women, capable of disturbing a tyrannic theocracy when rising. It is a signal of hope for anti-Islamist movements.

Source: BBC

4. Germany: german intelligence spied by Russia

On March 1, Russia’s state channel RT shared publicly a confidential phone conservation of high German officers. This recording of more than half an hour showed the officers discussing a hypothetical delivery of German-made Taurus missiles to Ukraine forces. Since the war in Ukraine, Germany has shown its support against Russia, providing weapons and helping the Ukrainian forces.  This spying is a scandal that didn’t miss to destabilise German politics. Berlin accused Vladimir Putin of trying to divide Germany through an information war. The Kremlin denounced a “direct implication” of the West in the War.

Source: DW

5. China: National People’s Congress annual meeting

China’s National People’s Congress spokesperson announced the second session of the 14th NPC. The Congress will review the process of the national plan of development as well as the government’s work report. But what exactly is the NPC? The highest political organ in the Chinese state, it represents the main legislative power in China. It has the presidency, the central military commission and the supreme court under its authority. Led by the Communist Party, it also includes other minority parties. This organ is responsible for law adoption and watches their application. NPC is a central entity of China’s political model, showing how party cooperation could be more efficient than party opposition. Moreover, it shows a new form of democracy combining strong leadership with collegial discussions. This meeting is crucial to understand China’s development planification, which, in the context of competition for global leadership with the US, has a direct impact on the nature of international relations.

Source: CGTN