By 317 votes to 301, MPs in the House of Commons gave their backing to May's deal which they rejected earlier this month, providing changes are made to the so-called Irish backstop border issue. The 16 majority for her deal gives May a mandate to return to Brussels to call for a re-opening of negotiations, and indicates that the Brexit deal is likely to win the critical final vote in British parliament if changes are made to the Irish border issue. The victory for May's minority government was assured after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) backed Tuesday night's move. Immediately after the vote was announced, May said that two weeks ago MPs rejected the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement when only 202 MPs voted in favor. "Tonight a majority have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. "It is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority to leave the EU with a deal," she said, to loud cheers from the Conservative benches. Veteran … [Read more...] about May’s Brexit deal finally wins majority support in parliament
Votes in parliament
Greek PM to seek confidence vote in parliament
The Independent Greeks (ANEL) party is quitting the government over the Macedonia name deal, Greek Defense Minister and ANEL leader Panos Kammenos said earlier Sunday. The prime minister said that he has accepted Kammenos' resignation and will accept any other resignations submitted by ministers belonging to the ANEL, adding that Kammenos will be replaced by Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff. Kammenos had repeatedly said in recent months that his party would not vote for the Macedonia name deal, which was due to reach the Greek assembly for a vote later this month. Kammenos did not clarify whether the right-wing party will continue to support the left-wing SYRIZA party in parliament. The Macedonian parliament, in an initial vote, on Friday passed an amendment to the constitution, paving the way to changing the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Macedonia is also the name of a northern province in Greece. Athens is … [Read more...] about Greek PM to seek confidence vote in parliament
Ruling CPP wins majority of votes in Cambodia’s general election
Cambodian Prime Minister and CPP President Hun Sen visits a polling station in Phnom Penh on July 29. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won some 4.2 million out of more than 6.8 million votes in the country’s general election on July 29, or 61.7 percent, according to the party. The number of votes was much higher than that the CPP gained in the 2013 election which stood at 48.83 percent. The CPP was followed by the Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) with over 560,000 votes, the National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) with 326,000 votes, the League for Democracy Party (LDP) with 268,000 votes and Khmer Will Party (KWP) with 183,000 votes. Previously, the National Election Committee (NEC) announced Cambodia’s general election was a success with the voter turnout estimated at 82.17 percent. The figure is much higher than that of the previous election held in … [Read more...] about Ruling CPP wins majority of votes in Cambodia’s general election
Weakened, May defeats final Brexit challenges in parliament
Weakened, May defeats final Brexit challenges in parliament The Saigon Times Daily Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May hosts a round table meeting on technology at 10 Downing Street in London, June 13, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON (REUTERS) - Prime Minister Theresa May defeated the final challenges to her Brexit blueprint in parliament on Wednesday, leaving plans for Britain’s departure from the European Union still largely on track but her authority weakened. Lawmakers supported the government’s position to reject amendments to the EU withdrawal bill that challenged May’s commitment to leave the bloc’s customs union and single market, leaving the overall shape of her Brexit strategy intact that will transform Britain’s trading relationships for decades. But it was a vote in parliament on Tuesday that left her seemingly at the mercy of two groups in the Conservative Party - those who want to maintain the closest possible ties with the EU, … [Read more...] about Weakened, May defeats final Brexit challenges in parliament
Timor Leste’s citizens cast votes in general election
A woman in Timor-Leste casts her vote at a polling station during the election in Dili on May 12 (Photo: EPA-EFE) Hanoi (VNA) – Voters in Timor Leste went to the polls on May 12 to cast their ballots in the second general election in less than one year of the Southeast Asian nation. Some 784,000 people have registered to vote across 13 municipalities and voters turned out early to cast their ballot. The voting stations opened at 7.00 (local time) and was to close at 15:00 the same day. Results of the election will be announced next week. Experts have showed concern about security of the election as clashes occurred during election campaigns between supporters of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, better known as Fretilin, and those of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT). The Fretilin won the last election held in July 2017 by a narrow margin, forcing it to join with a smaller party to form a minority government. The country had … [Read more...] about Timor Leste’s citizens cast votes in general election