A parliamentary election took place in Israel on 17 March 2015. No party won an overall
majority, but Likud – the centre-right party of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
– remained the largest party. This note provides a summary of developments.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (the LDP) won a
decisive victory in snap elections held in December 2014. One of the reasons for holding
early elections was Abe's desire to amend Japan's ‘peace Constitution' so that in
future it expressly permits the country's armed forces to come to the aid of allies
under attack. This is known in Japan as the right of ‘collective self-defence'. In
mid- 2014 the Japanese Cabinet approved interpreting the Constitution in this way.
Abe is now seeking to give this new interpretation legal and constitutional underpinning.
Important as it is, amending Article 9 of the Constitution is just one part of Abe's
plans on the defence and security front. Japan is now looking to enhance its defence
capabilities so that it can play a greater role in promoting international “peace,
stability and prosperity”. It will also increase its ability to respond effectively
to any attack on the Senkaku Islands (as Japan calls them) in the East China Sea.
India-Pakistan relations remain fraught with danger and mistrust. Since October 2014,
there have been regular exchanges of fire between their troops across the ‘Line of
Control' which runs through contested Kashmir. Turbulent times could lie ahead.The
two nuclear-armed governments accuse each other of responsibility for these skirmishes.
The tenor of their exchanges has become increasingly hostile. There are also Indian
claims that militant groups based on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control are
seeking to infiltrate Indian-administered Kashmir in larger numbers. Over recent months,
there have been several battles between militants and security forces. Hopes that
India and Pakistan could resume talks in earnest following the electoral victory of
Narendra Modi in India last year have not yet been realised. He is currently acting
like a man for whom a deal with Pakistan is desirable but not essential. His self-confidence
may soon receive another boost. Political developments within Indian Jammu and Kashmir
could produce a coalition government involving his party, the BJP – an outcome which
few observers would have predicted until very recently. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's
government is keen to do a deal with India on Kashmir and other issues but cannot
afford to look weak. He will be hoping that the PDP decides against joining up with
the BJP in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. The more moderate Kashmiri separatist leaders
will share the dismay of the Pakistan government if it does. However, the armed militant
groups – whose influence and reach have waned in recent years – are likely to be delighted
if the BJP shares power, as increased political polarisation could act as a recruiting-sergeant
for them. Pakistan's anxieties about the increasingly close US-India relationship
have heightened recently. President Obama recently finished a three-day visit to India
in which numerous deals were signed.
The recent parliamentary election in Greece was a triumph for the radical left-wing
Syriza party, which has now formed an anti-austerity coalition. What are the political
and economic implications of these developments?
The political scene in Bangladesh remains as turbulent as ever. Flawed elections in
January 2014 were boycotted by the main opposition parties, leaving the field clear
for the ruling Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina. There has been renewed protest
action on the streets to mark the first anniversary of the elections, which has led
to increased violence and at least ten deaths. Opposition leader Khaleda Zia was detained
in her office for over two weeks by the authorities and faces trial for corruption.
This briefing provides an overview of developments in the country since the 2014 elections.
identifier
SN06696
title
Political crisis in Bangladesh: January 2015 update
This paper looks at the multiple challenges facing Nigeria as it prepares for presidential
and legislative elections on 14 February 2015. These elections will take place amidst
an atmosphere of even greater crisis and uncertainty than usual. Boko Haram's insurgency
in the north of the country continues unabated. There are fears that the country might
break up if the election aftermath is poorly handled. However, some observers remain
remarkably hopeful about Nigeria's future, predicting that its enormous economic potential
is on the verge of being realised at last.
identifier
RP15/2
title
Nigeria 2015: analysis of election issues and future prospects
A summary of recent events related to Hong Kong, including the pro-democracy protests
and the Chinese Government's refusal to allow the Foreign Affairs Committee to visit.
identifier
SN07044
title
Hong Kong: pro-democracy protests and proposed FAC visit
On 5 December 2014, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the following motion:
“that this House takes note of the role of soft power and non-military options in
conflict prevention”.
identifier
LLN 2014/039
title
The Role of Soft Power and Non-Military Options in Conflict Prevention
In May 2013 elections, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, led by Prime Minister
Najib Tun Razak, won a majority of seats in parliament despite gaining only 47% of
the vote. With his leadership under significant threat within UMNO, the dominant Malay
party within the BN, since the 2013 elections Najib has launched a campaign of harassment
of the political opposition and a focused anew on affirmative action for Malays. Longstanding
sodomy charges have been revived against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Najib's
reforming credentials currently look threadbare.
