Page 9 - Aruba Today
P. 9
WORLD NEWS 9
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Poland’s president signs contested constitutional court law
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — government. The opposi- hance the court’s position heated debates surround- cause “words said here are
Poland’s President Andrzej tion, which now controls and authority as it requires ing the court, whose job it is also heard abroad.”
Duda on Monday ap- the court, claims that Po- a greater number of judges to examine contested leg- “We should remember that
proved controversial leg- land’s democracy is threat- than before to agree on islation to ensure it does not every word is heard not
islation that regulates the ened because the court verdicts and a larger ma- violate the constitution. only in Poland,
Constitutional Tribunal, the will lose its power to check jority for key issues. “A higher majority guaran- but because Poland is one
nation’s highest court, and the government’s actions. Duda stressed it will help the tees that these lawyers will of the largestEU countries,
appealed for “truth” in de- It has led tens of thousands government push ahead be reaching agreement the words uttered here are
bates that are also heard of people in street protests with promised reforms of to a higher degree,” Duda also heard abroad,” Duda
abroad. in past weeks. Simultane- higher tax exemptions, bo- said in a statement at the said.
Some European Union ous pro-government rallies nuses for large families and Presidential Palace. “’So I ask for truth and no
leaders have expressed were also held. lower retirement age. He Anticipating new argu- manipulation, I ask for facts
alarm at the fast-paced Duda said he believes the expressed hope that the ment, he appealed for to be presented the way
legislative changes taken legislation, which came adoption of the regulations “truth and no manipula- they are, also the facts that
by the new conservative into effect Monday, will en- will help put an end to the tion” in the debate be- have legal value.”q
Spain’s Podemos rules out help for PM Rajoy to govern
ALAN CLENDENNING friendly Ciudadanos party Spain’s PM Mariano Rajoy, right, talks to Podemos party leader Catalonia to hold a seces-
Associated Press as part of his attempt to Pablo Iglesias during a meeting in Madrid. Rajoy met with the sion referendum.
MADRID (AP) — The leader win support for the Popular leaders of two upstart parties on Monday Dec. 28, 2015 follow- The Popular Party won 123
of Spain’s leftist Podemos Party’s effort to govern as a ing an election that gave Rajoy’s party the most votes but left it seats in the 350-member
party told Prime Minister minority party or in a coali- far short of a parliamentary majority. lower house of parliament
Mariano Rajoy he won’t of- tion. — down from the 186 it got
fer any support for a new Rajoy’s options are lim- (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) in 2011.
government formed by Ra- ited and the main oppo- The Socialists won 90 seats,
joy’s party, which won the sition Socialist Party has Sanchez on Monday said But Sanchez said the So- followed by Podemos and
most votes in the Dec. 20 already ruled out helping allies with 69 and Ciudada-
national election but failed him. Spain has never had his party would talk with cialists would not team nos with 40.
to get a parliamentary ma- a “grand coalition” with Spain’s King Felipe VI next
jority. power shared by the Popu- others to try to form a gov- up with Podemos unless it month will hold talks with
Pablo Iglesias said after lar and Socialist parties. the leaders of each party
meeting with Rajoy that his Rivera reiterated Ciudada- ernment if Rajoy and the drops a demand to allow that won seats in Parlia-
party won’t agree to be- nos’ position that it won’t ment and nominate one
come part of a coalition support Rajoy or his party Popular Party fail. the northeastern region of for government.
led by Rajoy’s Popular Par- but would abstain in a lead- But the nominated party
ty and would not indirectly ership vote which would leader must then win the
support Rajoy by abstain- benefit Rajoy in forming a leadership vote of confi-
ing during a parliamentary minority government if he dence in Parliament to take
leadership vote. can get other parties to fol- office. If there is still dead-
Rajoy then met with Al- low suit. lock after two months, the
bert Rivera of the business- Socialist Party leader Pedro monarch would call a new
election. q
Croatia’s parliament elects new speaker ending deadlock
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — one against and 62 absten- seats, decided after weeks tives, the little-known Can- Outgoing Prime Minister
Croatia’s parliament chose tions. of negotiations with both ada-educated financial Zoran Milanovic, who was
a speaker on Monday, The country’s Nov. 8 elec- blocs to form a new gov- expert Tihomir Oreskovic, to close to a deal with Most
ending weeks of political tion was inconclusive, with ernment with the conser- form a new government. (Bridge in English) during
deadlock after last month’s opposition right-wing and vatives, ending a four-year “I’m a patriot and it is an the negotiations, was more
inconclusive general elec- ruling left-wing coalitions rule of the center-left coali- honor for me to be able to pessimistic.
tion. winning 59 and 56 seats re- tion. return to Croatia and help “Considering democracy,
Lawmakers elected Zeljko spectively. The election of the speak- my people,” Oreskovic Croatia has never been
Reiner of the conserva- The newly formed Most er paves the way for the said, adding that he hopes at such a low point,” Mila-
tive Croatian Democratic party, which became king- prime minister designate to form the government novic told reporters during
Union with 88 votes in favor, maker after winning 19 proposed by the conserva- within the next 30 days. in the parliament session. q
