International News
French PM Set To Resign Amid Political Turmoil
French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal is expected to resign soon, continuing to lead a caretaker government amidst ongoing political uncertainty and internal strife.
President Emmanuel Macron is likely to accept Attal’s resignation following a crucial cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
This decision comes in the wake of a significant defeat suffered by Macron’s allies in a recent snap National Assembly election aimed at clarifying the country’s political landscape.
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Attal had previously signaled his intention to resign on July 8, 2024, but initially faced resistance from President Macron.
Attal and his team are expected to maintain their roles with reduced authority until after the Paris Olympics, slated to commence on July 26.
This extension is intended to provide political parties additional time to form a governing coalition following the inconclusive July 7 election runoff, which left the parliament without a clear majority.
The New Popular Front (NFP), comprising Socialists, Communists, Greens, and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), secured the largest share of seats with 193 out of 577. Macron’s allies garnered 164 seats, while the far-right National Rally (RN) secured 143 seats.
The NFP alliance has faced challenges in agreeing on a consensus candidate for prime minister, primarily due to internal disputes, especially between the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the more moderate Socialists.
Over the weekend, the Socialists opposed Huguette Bello’s candidacy, despite support from other left-wing factions.
Bello, a former communist MP and regional council president in La Reunion, was seen as a potential unifying figure.
Meanwhile, Laurence Tubiana, an economist and climate specialist endorsed by the Socialists, Communists, and Greens, was rejected by the LFI.
Internal discord within the alliance has drawn criticism, with leftist deputy François Ruffin condemning the situation as “shameful,” and Green deputy Sandrine Rousseau expressing strong frustration with the disagreements.
Attal, recently elected leader of his party’s National Assembly contingent, has expressed his intention to influence the formation of a new majority around specific projects and principles.
Observers note that both Macron and Attal are striving to establish a center-right majority in parliament, excluding the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the far-right National Rally (RN) from potential coalitions.
Following Attal’s anticipated resignation, he and other cabinet members are expected to return to parliament to participate in efforts to build a coalition.
Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on Thursday to elect the National Assembly speaker and other key positions.
Tensions have surfaced between Attal and Macron, with Attal seemingly attributing the electoral setback to Macron.
Attal’s defeat follows his historic appointment as France’s youngest-ever head of government at the age of 34, just six months ago.
Looking ahead, Macron, who has nearly three years remaining in his presidential term, anticipates a potential challenge from Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader expected to contest the 2027 elections.
A Bangladesh court has officially opened a murder investigation against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six senior officials from her administration.
The above followed the police killing of a civilian during last month’s widespread unrest.
Sheikh Hasina, 76, fled to India by helicopter a week ago, where she remains in exile after massive protests swept through Dhaka, signaling the end of her decade-long, authoritarian rule.
The unrest, which culminated in her downfall, resulted in the deaths of over 450 people.
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The Dhaka Metropolitan Court has directed the police to initiate a criminal investigation against Hasina and the six others, according to Mamun Mia, the lawyer representing a private citizen who filed the case.
Among those named in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Hasina’s Awami League party, along with four senior police officers who served under Hasina’s administration.
The charges stem from the fatal shooting of a grocery store owner on July 19 during a violent crackdown by police on demonstrators.
The case was brought forward by Amir Hamza Shatil, a local resident and a supporter of the victim.
It is worth noting that Hasina’s government faced serious allegations of widespread human rights violations, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political opponents.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who returned from Europe three days after Hasina’s removal, has assumed leadership of a temporary administration tasked with implementing democratic reforms.
At 84, Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in microfinance, is credited with lifting millions of Bangladeshis out of poverty.
Yunus has assumed the role of “chief adviser” to the caretaker government, which consists entirely of civilians except for Home Minister Sakhawat Hossain, a retired brigadier general. He has announced plans to hold elections “within a few months.”
Hossain stated on Monday that there are no plans to ban Hasina’s Awami League, which played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s independence.
“The party has made many contributions to Bangladesh — we don’t deny this. When the election comes, (they should) contest the elections.”
President Mohammed Shahabuddin has officially dissolved the Bangladeshi parliament, a major concession to student protesters whose demonstrations led to the ousting of longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina.
The president’s press secretary confirmed the dissolution in a statement released on Tuesday, stating, “The president has dissolved parliament.”
Related News: Bangladesh Prime Minister Resigns, Flees Amid Deadly Protests
In a significant development, student protesters have announced their intention to support Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the head of an interim government.
This move follows the ousting of the prime minister and the subsequent takeover by the military.
Nahid Islam, the leader of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), declared in a video message, “We have decided that the interim government will be formed with internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, as the chief adviser.”
Bangladesh’s Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman declared on Monday his intention to establish an interim government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina’s resignation came amid intense protests and unrest, leading her to flee the capital.
General Waker, addressing the nation in military fatigues, assumed full responsibility for the situation but did not clarify if he would lead the interim government himself.
He expressed a commitment to addressing the country’s dire state, including economic turmoil and loss of life.
Read Also: Bangladesh Prime Minister Resigns, Flees Amid Deadly Protests
“It is time to end the violence,” he stated, hoping his announcement would bring about positive change.
The General revealed plans to consult with the president to set up the interim government and mentioned engaging with opposition parties and civil society leaders, excluding Hasina’s Awami League.
With nearly four decades of military service, including two United Nations peacekeeping missions and experience in the prime minister’s office, General Waker emphasized his resolve to combat violence and hold accountable those responsible for recent killings.
He urged students to remain calm and support the new administration.
Appointed earlier this year as Chief of Army Staff, General Waker is recognized for his extensive service and disciplined approach to leadership.
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