分类： politics

Egyptians commenced voting on Monday in a pivotal parliamentary election, a process that will span several weeks to determine the composition of the lower house. Polling stations opened at 9:00 am (0700 GMT), initiating the election of 568 out of 596 seats in the House of Representatives. The remaining 28 lawmakers will be directly appointed by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Voting timelines vary across regions, with some areas, including Cairo, not casting ballots until November 24. Egyptians abroad participated in the election on Friday and Saturday. Final results are anticipated by December 25. The election employs a dual system, with half of the seats allocated through closed party lists and the other half via individual candidates. Notably, a quarter of the seats are reserved for women. This parliamentary vote follows the senate elections held two months prior, which saw a low turnout of approximately 17%. The pro-government ‘National List for Egypt’ coalition, which dominated the senate elections, is expected to maintain its stronghold. Leading the coalition are the pro-Sisi Mostaqbal Watan (Nation’s Future) party and the National Front party, headed by former minister Essam Al Gazzar. Gazzar’s newly formed party, backed by business tycoon Ibrahim Al Organi, a close ally of Sisi, unites former government officials. Meanwhile, opposition groups remain fragmented, with some running independently and others aligning with pro-government lists. Analysts highlight the election’s significance, as it is the last before Sisi’s third and final term concludes in 2030. Timothy Kaldas of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy emphasized that Sisi requires a parliament under his full control to potentially extend his tenure beyond 2030, necessitating constitutional amendments. The 2019 constitutional revisions extended Sisi’s term from four to six years and retroactively counted his previous term as his first, enabling him to remain in office until 2030. In 2022, Sisi’s administration initiated a national dialogue, ostensibly to engage with the marginalized opposition.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is unlikely to join the proposed International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, citing the absence of a clear operational framework. This announcement was made by Dr. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during his address at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on Monday. Gargash emphasized that the UAE remains committed to political and humanitarian solutions over military intervention in the region. The proposed multinational mission aims to disarm militant factions, dismantle military infrastructure, enforce law and order, secure the Egypt-Gaza border, and protect humanitarian corridors and civilians. However, Gargash reiterated that the UAE does not see a viable military path to stability in Gaza. Instead, he highlighted the UAE’s pivotal role in shaping the international response to the Gaza peace plan, which he described as a ‘historic opportunity’ to address long-standing grievances exploited by extremists. Gargash also reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering support for a two-state solution, stating that any annexation of Palestinian land would be a ‘red line’ for the nation. He stressed that the UAE’s involvement in rebuilding Gaza would depend on achieving political clarity and a long-term vision for a viable Palestinian state. ‘No country wants to invest heavily without the assurance of enduring peace,’ Gargash remarked, referencing past failed reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

In a significant move underscoring the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) commitment to anti-corruption, Li Chunliang, a former deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, has been expelled from the Party. The decision, announced by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission on Monday, highlights Li’s severe violations of Party discipline and legal norms. Li, 62, a long-standing Party member since 1984, was found guilty of resisting organizational scrutiny, frequenting private clubs, and failing to disclose personal matters as mandated. His misconduct extended to manipulating cadre selection processes, leveraging his position for personal gain in business operations, project contracting, and administrative approvals, and accepting substantial bribes. Additionally, Li borrowed funds from entities under his supervision and accepted renovation services from them, further breaching ethical and legal boundaries. His case, now involving suspected bribery, has been transferred to procuratorial authorities for legal proceedings. Li’s expulsion marks a continuation of the CPC’s rigorous efforts to maintain integrity and discipline within its ranks.

Yang Xiaowei, a former high-ranking political figure and deputy director of the Committee on Education, Science, Health, and Sports of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office. The announcement was made on Monday by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission. Yang, 62, was found to have engaged in severe misconduct, including accepting bribes, gifts, and prepaid cards, attending banquets that compromised his impartiality, and leveraging his position for personal and familial gain. His actions violated Party discipline and constituted serious breaches of duty, leading to his expulsion and the transfer of his case to judicial authorities for prosecution. Yang’s career spanned significant roles in China’s telecommunications sector, including leadership positions at China Unicom and China Telecom Group, before transitioning to governmental and advisory roles. His expulsion underscores the CPC’s ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and combat corruption within its ranks.

Liu Kuanren, a former prominent political figure in China, has been officially expelled from public office following a thorough investigation by the National Supervisory Commission. The announcement, made on Monday, revealed that Liu, who previously served as vice-chairman of both the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Shaanxi Provincial Committee, was found guilty of severe breaches of duty. The investigation, initiated in May, uncovered that Liu had engaged in a series of unethical and illegal activities, including attending lavish banquets, accepting gifts and monetary bribes, and leveraging his positions to facilitate business operations, project contracts, and job promotions for personal gain. Additionally, he was found to have misappropriated public funds for his own use. These actions have led to charges of bribery and embezzlement. Liu’s case, along with the illicit assets he accumulated, will now be handed over to the procuratorial authorities for further legal proceedings. Born in Shaanxi province, Liu, 62, began his career in 1987 and joined the China Association for Promoting Democracy in 1998. His career trajectory included teaching at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and serving in various administrative roles before his rise to vice-chairman positions in 2018 and 2022. His expulsion marks a significant fall from grace for a once-respected political figure.

Indonesia has posthumously awarded the title of national hero to former President Suharto, a controversial figure whose three-decade rule was marked by allegations of human rights abuses, corruption, and nepotism. The ceremony, presided over by current President Prabowo Subianto—Suharto’s former son-in-law—took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the state palace in Jakarta. Suharto, who died in 2008, was recognized for his role in Indonesia’s independence movement and his contributions to the nation’s development. However, the decision has sparked widespread criticism from pro-democracy activists and families of victims who suffered under his authoritarian regime. Suharto’s daughter, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, accepted the award on behalf of the family, expressing gratitude to Prabowo for the honor. The move has raised concerns about historical revisionism and the potential resurgence of authoritarianism in Indonesia, particularly given Prabowo’s ties to Suharto and his own controversial past. Critics argue that the award whitewashes Suharto’s legacy, including his involvement in the 1965 mass killings and the invasion of East Timor in 1975. Despite the backlash, the government defended the decision, stating that Suharto met the criteria for the title. The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over Suharto’s complex legacy and its implications for Indonesia’s democratic future.