Four key takeaways from the 'partygate' investigation into Boris Johnson's Downing Street

Feb 02, 2022 08:59 am UTC| Politics

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised after a report exposed failings of leadership and behaviour in Downing Street during pandemic lockdowns that was not appropriate. While the report was significantly shorter than...

$177 million flowed to Australian political parties last year, but major donors can easily hide

Feb 02, 2022 08:58 am UTC| Politics

The Australian Electoral Commission has updated its database of financial disclosure information for 2020-21. This happens once a year and is keenly watched by political observers because it includes information about...

Three reasons why Mattarella’s reappointment as Italy’s president is a huge relief for the west

Feb 02, 2022 08:56 am UTC| Politics

After a tumultuous week of secret votes and intense negotiations between political parties, Italy has reconfirmed Sergio Mattarella as head of state for a second seven-year term. The decision implies that Mario Draghi, the...

China has no plan for who will succeed Xi Jinping – leaving the nation and the world in uncertainty

Feb 02, 2022 08:53 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Since becoming Chinas paramount leader in 2012, Xi Jinping has overseen enormous economic growth and solidified Chinas standing as an economic and geopolitical superpower. He has also centralized his power over domestic...

The African Union at 20: a lot has been achieved despite many flaws

Feb 02, 2022 08:48 am UTC| Politics

Theres a widespread view that the African Union and its bureaucracy are glorified servants of African governments. This view is supported by scholars and by the media. But is it accurate? I address this question in a...

South Africa is in a state of drift: the danger is that the ANC turns the way of Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF

Feb 02, 2022 08:48 am UTC| Politics

The dismal fate of Zimbabwe under the stewardship of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) government has long stood out as a warning to South Africas governing party, the African National Congress...

Boris Johnson pledges to 'fix' Downing Street after partygate – but this is a failure of his leadership

Feb 02, 2022 08:47 am UTC| Politics

I get it and I will fix it, declared Boris Johnson in parliament as he delivered his response to the initial findings from an inquiry into partying at Downing Street during pandemic lockdowns. After weeks of frenzied...