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German election: CDU/CSU, SPD begin preliminary talks

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The conservative CDU's Friedrich Merz (left) aims to negotiate a coalition with senior politicians of the center-left SPD, including co-leader Lars Klingbeil (right) © Christoph Soeder/dpa/picture alliance
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Friedrich Merz aims to swiftly form government after his conservative bloc’s February 23 election win. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil stressed a coalition with the CDU/CSU was “not automatic” amid key policy disagreements.

 

Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance on Friday began exploratory talks with the Social Democrats (SPD) aimed at forming a new government coalition.

The CDU/CSU bloc is made up of likely future chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its smaller Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

What do we know about the talks?

The conservative bloc came in first place in Germany’s 23 February federal election, receiving some 28.5% of the vote.

Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD won just 16.4% in a historic low for the party.

Merz has ruled out entering into coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which came in second place at 20.8%, and pledged to uphold the political “firewall” against the party.

Friday’s talks are expected to focus on setting a timetable for coalition negotiations. It is as of yet unclear when formal coalition talks will begin.

Merz has said that he aims to form government before Easter.

Coalition ‘not automatic’ — SPD’s Klingbeil

While the SPD has agreed to a swift start for talks, party co-leader Lars Klingbeil stressed that a coalition with the CDU/CSU was still not set in stone.

“It is not certain whether a government will be formed or whether the SPD will join a government,” he said, saying that the formation of a coalition was “not automatic.”

The SPD and CDU/CSU have butted heads on a number of key issues, including on migration, tax policy and public spending.

The SPD has called for Germany’s debt brake to be lifted in order to increase the federal budget, while the CDU/CSU has argued for keeping it in place while establishing a special fund for defense spending.

Edited by: Kieran Burke

Author: Saim Dušan Inayatullah (DPA and German media reports)

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US: ‘National disgrace’ – Lawmakers lament detention of students by Trump govt

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President Donald Trump
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US Congressional lawmakers have lamented the treatment of students, Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk, being detained by US immigration authorities.

The students are being kept in detention for their pro-Palestinian activism.

The lawmakers described the US government’s action as a “national disgrace” as they visited the two facilities in Louisiana where each are being held.

Addressing the press after the visit on Tuesday, Louisiana congressman, Troy Carter, said, “We stand firm with them in support of free speech.

“They are frightened, they’re concerned, they want to go home.”

The students, Öztürk doing his PhD at Tufts University and Khalil, a graduate of Columbia have been in detention for more than a month.

Members of the delegation noted that the students were being held in violation of their constitutional rights.

The delegation included representatives Carter, Bennie Thompson, Ayanna Pressley, Jim McGovern, Senator Ed Markey, and Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana.

They met with the two detainees and others as they conducted “real-time oversight” of a “rogue and lawless” administration, as Pressley said.

“It’s a national disgrace what is taking place,” Markey said.

“We stand right now at a turning point in American history. The constitution is being eroded by the Trump administration. We saw today here in these detention centers in Louisiana examples of how far [it] is willing to go,” he said.

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Mahama suspends Ghana’s chief justice over misconduct allegations

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Gertrude Torkornoo is Ghana's third female chief justice
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John Mahama, Ghana’s president, has suspended Gertrude Torkornoo, the country’s chief justice, over allegations of misconduct.

In a statement on Tuesday, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the presidential spokesperson, said the council of state took the decision after three persons filed a petition against the chief judge.

Ofosu said allegations against Torkornoo include tampering with court records and misuse of public funds.

“In consultation with the Council of State, it was determined that a prima facie case has been established and that Torkornoo would be suspended while she is investigated,” the statement reads.

The president has also given the suspended chief justice 10 days to respond to the allegations and has set up a five-member investigative team to look into the issues.

The investigative committee is being led by Gabriel Pwamang, a supreme court justice. The panel also includes former auditor-general, Daniel Domelevo.

Torkornoo, 61, was appointed in June 2023, becoming Ghana’s 15th chief justice and the third woman to hold the post.

While past judicial leaders have left through retirement or political upheaval, her suspension is the first time a sitting chief justice has faced formal investigation through a constitutional process.

Mahama, who took office in January, has promised a crackdown on graft in the country.

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38 Years in Politics, Have you heard ‘I stole any money? My Wife Has No Personal Car -Rotimi Amaechi ‎

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Rotimi Amaechi
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‎the former governor of Rivers State, has made headlines by emphasizing his integrity in a career that spans 38 years in Nigerian politics. In a candid interview with Daily Sun, Amaechi stated, “Have you heard ‘I stole any money?’”

‎Amaechi, who began his political career at the age of 22, reflected on his longevity in the field, now at 60 years old. He expressed pride in his reputation, saying, “I have been in politics for nearly four decades, and I have maintained a clean record.

What scandals have you heard of me? My life has been transparent.”

He highlighted that despite his high-profile roles, including serving as the Minister of Transportation and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, he has remained free from any accusations of corruption.

‎In a remarkable revelation, Amaechi shared that his wife does not own a personal vehicle. “My wife doesn’t even have a car.

I have to provide my backup car for her to drive,” he noted, reinforcing his message about living a modest lifestyle despite his political stature.

“It’s not that we can’t afford it; it’s just how we choose to live our lives.”


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