French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, following defeat of his party in 2024 European Parliament (EP) elections, according to local media report.

“I have decided to give you back the choice of your parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly,” Macron said in a short speech.

“This is a serious, weighty decision. But it is above all an act of trust,”
He added that the elections to the National Assembly are to take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7.

Macron’s Renaissance party gained 15.2 per cent of the votes in 2024 European Parliament elections, far behind far-right National Rally who received 31.8 per cent.

“The unprecedented gap between the presidential majority and the leading opposition party reflects a stinging rejection of the policies led by Emmanuel Macron,” RN President Jordan Bardella said after the EP elections results were unveiled, quoted by local media.

“We’re ready for it. I call on French people to join us in forming around the RN, a majority in the service of the only cause that guides our steps: France.” parliamentary party leader of RN, Marine Le Pen, said on Sunday evening on social media platform X.

‘’The EP elections were held from June 6 to June 9, with voters of the 27 EU member states selecting 720 lawmakers to the 10th’’.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday refuting claims that the Sudanese government had declined to grant an entry visa to U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.

The ministry clarified, “The Sudanese embassy in Washington or any other capital did not receive a request from Mr Perriello for an entry visa.”

Earlier reports from Sudanese local media suggested that Perriello had stated during a meeting with a Sudanese civil group in Kampala, Uganda, that the Sudanese government had denied him a visa.

Responding to these reports, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Sudanese embassy in Washington contacted the U.S. State Department, which affirmed that Perriello had not made such statements.

Perriello was appointed as the U.S. special envoy for Sudan on Feb. 26, 2024, with a mandate to lead U.S. efforts to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023.

The clashes have killed 15,550 people and displaced 8.7 million others so far, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

(Xinhua/NAN)

Putin Sworn in for Fifth Term as Russian President Amid Controversy

By Matthew Eloyi

Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for his fifth term in Moscow on Tuesday, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding the legitimacy of his re-election in March.

The 71-year-old leader took the oath of office in a ceremony held at the Kremlin, attended by several thousand people, including senior Russian politicians and other dignitaries.

Putin’s re-election, where he received 87 per cent of the vote, was marred by allegations of fraud, coercion, and irregularities, with his main challenger barred from running.

Live coverage of the inauguration showed Putin arriving at the Grand Kremlin Palace in a Russian-made Aurus limousine, followed by a parade by the Kremlin Regiment. In his oath, he pledged to protect the rights of Russia’s citizens and defend its constitution.

Putin, who has been a dominant figure in Russian politics for over two decades, was able to run for re-election due to constitutional changes he pushed through in 2020. His new term will extend until 2030 when he will be 77 years old.

Following the ceremony, Putin addressed the crowd, claiming that his re-election demonstrated the Russian people’s belief in his leadership and support for his policies, including the controversial invasion of Ukraine launched over two years ago. He stated that while Russia was open to dialogue with the West, it would continue to choose its own path, including in its actions regarding Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Putin would nominate his candidate for prime minister on Tuesday. Current Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is expected to retain his position, but there is speculation about the future of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, particularly after Shoigu’s deputy was recently arrested on corruption charges.

The Russian parliament, the Duma, is expected to approve new ministry appointments by May 15, providing further insight into Putin’s plans for his new term.