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Mail & Guardian
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(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

No more right or left wings in politics

The left stood for a social agenda and the right for the individual’s needs. Now politics is self-serving

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

The world’s year of elections simmers

Democracy’s march has been relentless this year as world leaders confront the will of the people

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference, following his first cabinet meeting at Downing Street. (Photo by Claudia Greco-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Labour landslide: But Keir Starmer’s UK win is overshadowed by huge challenges

Labour faces the electorate’s expectations of transformative change amid economic hardship, with the populist Reform Party snapping at its heels

Protests at the Iranian embassy in Spain after the killing of Mahsa Amini. (Photo By Fernando Sanchez/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Women, life, freedom and the left

Four recent news stories show how the politics of sex and gender can either challenge or reinforce existing power structures

Protesters wearing yellow vests watch French President Emmanuel Macron on a TV screen at the motorway toll booth in La Ciotat, near Marseille, France, December 10 2018. (Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters)

Macron offers concessions to ‘yellow-vest’ protesters, but it may not be enough

In a 15-minute televised speech from the Elysee Palace, the president told the nation, ‘I accept my share of responsibility’ for the crisis

Protesters wearing yellow vests sit at the Place de la Bastille. Message reads, “We can’t tighten our belts and drop our pants at the same time. Yellow vests forever”. (Reuters/Stephane Mahe)

‘Moment of truth’ for Macron as protests hit French economy

Macron’s government announced a climbdown on fuel tax increases for January and further concessions appear to be on the cards

“I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country

France’s armed forces chief quits after row with Macron over budget cuts

The row erupted last week when the chief of staff told a parliamentary committee he would not allow the armed forces to be "screwed"

Macron’s comments came after Italy’s new populist government defiantly declared that its ports were closed to foreign-flagged rescue ships.

Macron faces hurdles, despite massive boost

France’s youngest president in the six decade-long Fifth Republic has transformed the country’s political landscape in a matter of weeks

The white identity is so central to France that any event that brings white dominance into question swiftly triggers a solidarity that breaks down partisan political divides.

When an Afro-feminist festival defies white supremacy

Black women must be allowed to come together without being forced to justify their actions to people who do not face similar oppressions

(John McCann)

French vote doesn’t secure democracy

Now, as in the past, the liberal Enlightenment is no guarantee for liberty, equality and fraternity

Macron’s comments came after Italy’s new populist government defiantly declared that its ports were closed to foreign-flagged rescue ships.

Emmanuel Macron wins French presidency

Macron shows no sign of wishing to change traditional alliances nor re-shape its military and peace-keeping roles in the Middle East and Africa.

KPMG South Africa stands accused of advancing state capture and has come under immense pressure.

Macron’s optimistic centrist vision for France

Should the French vote against the populist Le Pen as president it will show that the rise of the far right can be limited.

Outside chance: Marine le Pen has made inroads for her once-pariah party

Gloves off in French presidential live TV bout

Le Pen and Macron clashed over the economy, the EU and terrorism in a bruising tit-for-tat.

In the open letter

French presidential elections: What you need to know

Candidates must convince voters they are best placed to solve the economic and security issues facing the country

Marine Le Pen is the woman to watch.

Far-right parties on march to change Europe’s political complexion

Anti-establishment forces, emboldened by Donald Trump’s US victory, pose a real threat to leftist and centrist candidates in upcoming polls.

President Hassan Rouhani. (Alejandro Ernesto/AFP)

​2016: The year of the election ballot consultant

The doctors of spin are going to have a busy 2017 given the number of polls worldwide, writes Andrew Hammond.

Marine Le Pen’s far right party

#PanamaLeaks: French far-right leader hid money

France’s National Front leader Marine Le Pen has been implicated in the Panama Papers, and had a "sophisticated offshore system" to hide money.

French far-right Front National party president Marine Le Pen delivers a speech during the FN summer congress.

French Minister dismisses far-right’s calls for yarmulke ban

Minister Manuel Valls has assured the country’s Jews they could wear their skullcaps "with pride", in a dismissal of the far-right’s call for a ban.

US pop icon Madonna performs on stage during her first ever concert in the Gulf as part of her MDNA world tour.
Video

Marine warfare over Madge’s swastika montage

A video accompanying Madonna’s recent Tel Aviv concert showed French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s face with a swastika superimposed over it.

France’s extremists find favour

France’s extremists find favour

Leading France’s Front National to its best first-round result in her first presidential campaign, Marine Le Pen counts herself as the big winner.