Politics this week

Print edition | The world this week Oct 26th 2017

Shinzo Abes gamble in calling an early general election in Japan paid off, as his
ruling Liberal Democratic Party won 281 of the 465 contested seats in the lower
house of parliament. Along with seats won by the LDPs coalition partner, Mr Abe
has control of two-thirds of the house, meaning he can pass legislation without
approval from the upper house. The prime minister will press to change Japans
pacifist constitution, a huge step that will allow it to take part more easily in
peacekeeping operations, but will also rattle China and South Korea. See articles
here (http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21730691-he-wants-japan-be-normal-
military-power-after-election-success-japans-leader-takes-aim) and here
(http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730646-its-pacifist-wording-
hindrance-global-peacekeeping-time-japans-prime-minister) .
Chinas ruling Communist Party revised its constitution to include the thinking of
Xi Jinping. Mr Xi is the first ruler to be named in the document since Deng
Xiaoping, and the first since Mao Zedong to be so honoured while alive. The prime
minister, Li Keqiang, keeps his job, but the party announced a sweeping reshuffle
of the rest of its leadership. There is no one who is clearly being groomed as a
successor to Mr Xi, fuelling speculation that he may try to stay on as party chief for
longer than the normal ten-year period. See article.
(http://www.economist.com/news/china/21730741-it-his-wield-life-chinas-
communist-party-has-blessed-power-its-leader)

An elaborate five-day ceremony got under way in Thailand to cremate the remains
of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died a year ago. In a country that reveres the
monarchy, and imposes strict lse-majest laws against those who do not, 13m
Thais paid their respects to the late king as he lay in state, many prostrating
themselves before his body. See article
(http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21730695-why-ruling-junta-pumping-up-
pomp-thailand-prepares-cremate-much-loved-king) .

Re-running scared
Latest updates
Kenya reran its disputed presidential
The shifting toll of Americas drug epidemic
GRAPHIC DETAIL
election, despite the opposition calling for
a boycott. An appeal before the Supreme
Independents stampede into Mexicos
presidential election Court to postpone the ballot was not heard
AMERICAS
because five of the seven judges were
The European Central Bank starts its exit from
quantitative easing absent amid claims of intimidation. Last
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
month the court threw out the result of
See all updates
Augusts poll because the count had been
mishandled. See articles here
(http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730657-kenyas-fresh-
election-will-do-little-improve-presidents-legitimacy-kenyas) and here
(http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730643-democracy-deferred-kenyas-
flawed-elections) .

A British electrician was allowed to leave Dubai after the emirates ruler, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, stepped in to overturn his three-month jail
sentence for brushing against a mans hip in a crowded bar. The case highlighted
the friction between Dubais desire to attract tourists and the arbitrary enforcement
of its strict laws against sexual impropriety.

The World Health Organisation swiftly withdrew its appointment of Robert

Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador, which had elicited howls of derision.
Zimbabwes autocratic president has destroyed the economy and wrecked the
health service. His spokesman said Mr Mugabe wouldnt have taken the job anyway.

Not so flaky

Jeff Flake, a senator from Arizona and one of the

more cerebral Republicans, denounced Donald
Trumps presidency and the general state of his
party from the Senate floor. Without naming Mr
Trump, Mr Flake criticised the coarseness of our
leadership and its reckless, outrageous and undignified behaviour. He
challenged his colleagues to speak up. Mr Flake has decided not to run for re-
election next year.

A 120-day ban on refugees from entering the United States expired. The ban came
into effect in June following a profusion of legal wrangling. Applications can now
resume, though citizens from 11 countries will face extra scrutiny.

The Senate passed a $36.5bn package of emergency assistance for places hit by
recent hurricanes, including Puerto Rico. More than a month after Hurricane
Maria hit the island, only a fifth of its power system has been restored.

A disunited opposition
Four of the five opposition candidates who won elections for governor in
Venezuela took their oaths before the constituent assembly, a sham parliament
controlled by President Nicols Maduros United Socialist Party. They were
criticised by the rest of the opposition.

Brazils congress voted not to send Michel Temer, the countrys president, to trial
for charges related to a corruption scandal. Mr Temer survived a similar move to
remove him in August and he cannot be investigated again until his term ends in
late 2018. He has the worst approval ratings of any Brazilian president.
Nicaragua announced that it would join the Paris accord on climate change,
leaving Syria and the United States as the only two countries that have either not
joined or plan to abandon the deal.

The Mexican government sacked the countrys top electoral-crimes prosecutor for
divulging bits of an investigation into corrupt financing. Critics of the ruling
Institutional Revolutionary Party say the firing was intended to close a probe into
claims that a Brazilian construction firm may have donated to President Enrique
Pea Nietos campaign in 2012.

The centre-right party of Argentinas president, Mauricio Macri, exceeded

expectations in mid-term elections. Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner, a former
president, won a Senate seat, but her party performed poorly overall.

Yes, and no
Andrej Babis, a billionaire and former finance minister, won a general election in
the Czech Republic. Mr Babiss ANO (Yes) party took 30% of the vote. His victory
was viewed as the latest triumph of a charismatic populist in central Europe, but
with a splintered parliament, Mr Babis will have trouble forming a coalition. See
article (http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21730666-will-make-it-hard-
andrej-babis-form-coalition-czech-republic-almost-everyone) .

Spains prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, asked the Senate to give him the power to
disband Catalonias regional government and implement direct rule. The regions
president, Carles Puigdemont, compared Mr Rajoys action to that of Francisco
Franco, Spains former fascist dictator. See article
(http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21730653-unless-secessionists-back-
down-conflict-may-soon-get-ugly-spain-prepares-intervene) .

EU ministers voted to approve curbs on posted workers, EU citizens who work in

EU countries where they do not reside, that were proposed by Emmanuel Macron,
the French president. Four east European countries voted against the measure,
saying it undercuts their workers ability to compete for jobs in the EU.

Solving a stinking problem

To the relief of expatriates in the country, China lifted a ban on imports of mould-
ripened cheese, which had been imposed because
the bacteria used in making them had not been
approved. Soft cheeses such as Brie, Gorgonzola
and Stilton are much sought after by Westerners in
China. Chinese officials allowed the cheeses back
in after receiving assurances from European
counterparts that they are safe.