Former NSW Liberal minister Damien Tudehope testified at the ICAC corruption inquiry that he was unaware donations from hotelier Michael O'Hara breached electoral laws, maintaining he did not believe the payments were political.
UK's Representation of the People Bill faces scrutiny over big-money donations, particularly in crypto. Reforms aim to curb foreign and crypto donations, but critics argue they are insufficient. The article links wealthy crypto investors to the far-right, raising concerns about financial integrity and the potential for a 'crypto capital' that blurs crime and business.
Il Presidente del Senato, Ignazio La Russa, ha affermato che spetta al Parlamento decidere sulla legge elettorale e sulle preferenze, ricordando di aver presentato emendamenti in materia in passato. Ha espresso speranza che i partiti ora favorevoli alle preferenze trovino una mediazione.
The Green Party of England and Wales returned a donation from its leader Zack Polanski, deemed impermissible under UK electoral law because he was not on the electoral register due to security reasons. The Electoral Commission is now considering the matter.
The Scottish Government plans new legislation to allow Commonwealth citizens with limited leave to remain in the UK to stand in local council elections, correcting an oversight in previous laws. The bill, expected after summer recess, aims for implementation before the May 2027 elections, drawing criticism from political opponents.
Italian opposition parties, led by Giuseppe Conte of the Five Star Movement and the Democratic Party, are strongly opposing the center-right's proposed electoral law. They criticize the government's focus on electoral reform while millions of Italians struggle with healthcare access and other issues. The opposition is launching social media campaigns and proposing amendments, including a push for preferential voting.
Italy's opposition parties are flooding the electoral law reform committee with nearly a thousand amendments, primarily aimed at reshaping the proposed changes. The majority plans only minor technical adjustments, leaving key issues like preferential voting and gender quotas for parliamentary debate.
Italy's centre-right coalition has advanced its electoral law reform, the 'Bignami bis', by adopting it as a base text in a parliamentary committee. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and others, have united in strong opposition, criticizing both the substance and the process, and are strategizing to block the reform.
Leaders of Italy's 'campo largo' coalition, Elly Schlein (PD), Giuseppe Conte (M5s), and Nicola Fratoianni with Angelo Bonelli (Avs), held a Zoom call to discuss the electoral law. They reaffirmed their opposition to the current framework, deeming it unconstitutional, and pledged to work together on future parliamentary steps.
The Italian government is accelerating efforts on two key priorities: an electoral law reform, aiming for a first approval in the Chamber of Deputies by June, and a bill on nuclear energy, with final approval expected by summer. Minister Luca Ciriani's comments on the inevitability of a referendum on nuclear power have sparked debate and opposition.
Italian ministers discuss electoral law reform and Marina Berlusconi's political future. The banking sector's health is highlighted, with calls for an EU economic emergency plan. Romano Prodi comments on Germany's rearmament, its impact on Europe, and the current Italian government's weakness, while ruling out his own return to politics.
Italy's center-right majority plans to reform the electoral law by directly amending the base text in committee, aiming for a June vote. Key changes include raising the majority premium threshold and reducing the maximum number of seats, while excluding preferences. Opposition voices concerns about constitutionality.
