Browsing: Politics

Romania set for right-wing runoff after PM eliminated EU

In the first round of Romania’s presidential election, a far-right candidate who opposes NATO has taken an unexpected lead.
Calin Georgescu, an independent, won 22.94% of votes in Sunday’s voting, knocking Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu out of the race.
Georgescu will face center-right contender Elena Lasconi, leader of the opposition Save Romania Union, in the presidential run-off on December 8.

Monday’s front pages lead with several domestic and international stories.

Ongoing backlash over the October Budget dominates a handful of front pages with several reporting on the ‘tax raid’ whilst others preview a speech by the chancellor in which she will say she had no choice other than raising taxes.

Several papers look ahead to Friday’s assisted dying vote in the Commons. The Cabinet appears to be split over the vote – but many of the papers are not.

Images of Storm Bert feature on many front pages as streets flood in the UK and at least five people died.

The weekend’s Premier League action dominates the back pages.

Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s initial pick for attorney general ahead of his White House return, has withdrawn from consideration for the post. Trump’s decision to choose Gaetz shocked Washington and the country.

Gaetz had faced significant scrutiny over a previous federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl that cast doubt over his ability to be confirmed as the country’s top legal official.

He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The top newspapers in the United States all lead with the news of Gaetz’s withdrawal.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC says both men – alongside a Hamas leader who was killed in July – bore “criminal responsibility” for crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas. The court accuses Israel of using starvation as a war tactic and for intentionally targeting civilians.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The European leaders – including PM Keir Starmer – have backed the arrest of Netanyahu, and several papers note if the Israeli prime minister steps foot in the UK, he’ll be arrested.

Several papers pay tribute to the ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott who died at 86. Other domestic stories include the latest death in the alcohol poisonings in Laos, this time a 28-year-old British woman. There is ongoing coverage of the farm tax fallout and No 10’s vow to stand with Ukraine features.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the use of US and UK missiles by Ukraine means the West is now involved in his war against Ukraine.