Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Tuesday 10 december 2019
650 House seats, 3 days to go: the UK election in numbers

By JILL LAWLESS wants Scotland to leave
Associated Press the U.K. and become an
LONDON (AP) — There are independent country.
just three days to go un- ___
til Britons vote in an elec- 20: The number of seats
tion that will determine not held in Parliament by the
only who governs the U.K., pro-EU Liberal Democrats,
but when, how — or even who want to cancel Brexit
whether — the country altogether.
leaves the European Union ___
As the parties scramble to 19.5 million pounds ($25 mil-
secure the support of wa- lion): The maximum a party
vering and undecided vot- can spend on advertising,
ers, here's a look at some campaigning costs and
key numbers in the contest: other expenses if it con-
___ tests all 650 constituencies
46 million: The number of across the U.K. The spend-
eligible voters in the U.K. ing limit is calculated at
___ 30,000 pounds ($38,650)
650: The number of seats per seat.
in the House of Commons, ___
all up for grabs in the elec- 9: Number of years the
tion. Any party that wins a Conservative Party has
majority can form a gov- been in power.
ernment, with its leader as ___
prime minister. If no party Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson meets supporters during a visit, while on the General Election 3: The number of smaller
has a majority, it's more campaign, in Sheffield, England, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. pro-EU parties that have
complicated. The biggest Associated Press joined together in a tacti-
party could try to form a mi- 243: The number of seats days are longer. legislators who say their cal voting plan: the Liberal
nority government, or party held by the left-of-center ___ party has not stamped out Democrats, the Greens
leaders could form a coali- opposition Labour Party, 53: The number of days until anti-Semitism and high-pro- and the Welsh party Plaid
tion or alliance to govern which is battling to return to Britain is due to leave the EU. file female legislators, who Cymru. They have pledged
together. office for the first time since Brexit day was supposed to have received a dispropor- not to run against each
___ 2010. Labour is trying to be Oct. 31, but with Britain's tionate amount of abuse. other in dozens of seats to
298: The number of seats downplay Brexit and focus politicians deadlocked, the ___ make it more likely that pro-
held before the election by on its plans to spend more EU granted a three-month 42.8%: The portion of po- EU candidates will prevail.
Prime Minister Boris John- on health care, education delay until Jan. 31. litical parties' campaign ___
son's ruling Conservatives and social welfare, nation- ___ spending that went to digi- 0: The number of seats in
— more than 20 short of a alize utilities and key indus- More than 70: The number tal advertising during the Parliament now held by the
majority. The government's tries and give everyone of lawmakers not running last election in 2017 — up recently formed Brexit Par-
lack of a majority meant it free internet access. for re-election amid Brit- from just 0.3% in 2011. It's ty, which wants to leave the
struggled to pass key mea- ___ ain's toxic political atmo- expected to be even more EU without a divorce deal.
sures needed for Britain to 96: The number of years sphere. Politicians on both this time. The party, led by Nigel Far-
leave the European Union. since Britain last had a De- sides of the Brexit argument ___ age, hopes to change that
Johnson says if he wins a cember election. British have received abuse and 35: The number of seats but is not running in over
majority he will "get Brexit elections are usually held threats. Those leaving in- in Parliament held by the 300 Conservative strong-
done." in the late spring, when the clude many moderate pro- Scottish National Party, holds to avoid splitting the
___ weather is better and the EU Conservatives, Labour which opposes Brexit and pro-Brexit vote. q

Pension strikes cripple Paris, more travel woes ahead

By NADINE ACHOUI-LES- plans into one as delivering cially sustainable system. an attack on the French warned they would mobi-
AGE a more equitable, finan- Unions view the move as way of life even though lize significant resources im-
ANGELA CHARLTON Macron's government is mediately to stop violence.
Associated Press not expected to change All restaurants and shops
PARIS (AP) — Paris commut- the current retirement age along the march route
ers inched to work Monday of 62. The national road au- were ordered closed, po-
through massive traffic jams thority reported more than lice said.
as strikes against retire- 600 kilometers (360 miles) of Air France, the national
ment plan changes halted traffic problems at morning carrier, said more than 25%
trains and subways for a rush hour around the Paris of its domestic traffic would
fifth straight day — with the region — up from 150 kilo- be grounded Tuesday by
prospect of a tougher day meters (90 miles) on an av- the strike, along with more
ahead. French President erage day. than 10% of its medium-
Emmanuel Macron girded Paris police girded for haul flights. Long-haul trips
for one of the toughest a huge pension protest were not to be affected. It
weeks of his presidency as march on Tuesday, similar said the French civil avia-
his government prepares to the one last Thursday tion authority had asked all
to present a redesign of the when more than 800,000 airlines to cut back flights
convoluted French pension Railway workers votes during a meeting of the CGT union in people across France took 20% on Tuesday at six air-
system. Macron sees meld- Rennes, western France, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. Associated Press part. Fearing possible vio- ports, including Paris, Bor-
ing 42 different retirement lence on its fringes, police deaux and Marseille. q