Latest news with #politicaldynasties
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Is Trump building a political dynasty?
The United States has had its fair share of political dynasties – the Bushes, the Clintons, the Kennedys … but has Donald Trump been quietly moulding his own family to become a political force long after he leaves office? Who from within the family fold could be a successor to the president? Or does Trump simply see the presidency as an opportunity to enrich himself and promote the Trump family brand? In this first episode, the author Gwenda Blair takes us back through Donald Trump's family history and how the decisions made by his dad and grandfather led him to where he is today. The reporter Rosie Gray talks us through the role the first lady, Melania Trump, played in supporting her husband. And Ashley Parker profiles the roles of Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, as they served as senior advisers to the president during his first term. Archive: ABC News, BBC News, CBS Philadelphia, CNN, the Ellen Degeneres Show, NBC News, PBS Newshour
South China Morning Post
06-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippine political dynasties under fire from EU watchers amid calls for electoral reform
The stranglehold of political dynasties on Philippine democracy risks deepening public disillusionment and limiting political pluralism, the European Union 's election mission has warned, as it called for sweeping reforms to the country's 'outdated' election code and party-list system. In its final report released on Thursday, the EU Election Observation Mission said political power in the Philippines remained concentrated within a small circle of elite families, even in institutions meant to promote inclusive governance. The delegation had monitored the country's May midterm polls at the invitation of the Philippine government. 'Political power is concentrated in dynastic families which, according to civil society organisations, have held four out of every five congressional seats in the outgoing convocation, including two-thirds of party-list seats reserved for under-represented sectors,' said Marta Temido, the mission's chief observer and a member of the European Parliament. Despite praising the 'commitment to democracy' shown by Filipino voters – turnout stood at 81.65 per cent, the highest ever recorded for midterm elections – Temido said enduring problems such as vote-buying, election-related violence and an outdated legal framework continued to mar the electoral process. (From left) Philippine President Marcos, his sister Imee, who is a senator, and their mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos in 2017. Photo: AFP Nearly half of the provisions in the Philippines' 1985 omnibus election code were now obsolete, she said, having been superseded by the 1987 constitution or other laws. This left electoral legislation 'scattered and not harmonised', raising barriers to accountability and reform.
Washington Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
A Philippine family feud with real-world implications
Politics in the Philippines has always been something of a family affair. But lately, it has devolved into a family feud, complete with assassination threats and impeachment charges. The bitter rivalry between the country's two most prominent political dynasties might seem good — from an entertainment standpoint. But there are real-world ramifications. The outcome could determine future U.S. relations with one of our most important strategic Asian partners, at a time when Washington is seeking allies to help contain China's aggressive military expansionism in the Pacific.
Fox News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Andrew Cuomo's candidacy for mayor shows Democratic fixation on dynasties, liberal columnist frets
Liberal New York Times columnist Mara Gay argued in a piece on Thursday that former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's candidacy for mayor was part of a larger problem with the Democratic Party's fixation on political dynasties and seniority. "Mr. Cuomo's presence in the field has made it nearly impossible for these Democrats to get noticed. His return is a vivid example of the dysfunction eating away at the Democratic Party nationally. For the last decade, a group of uninspiring politicians have stomped out competition and held on to power. Many of them have clear flaws and liabilities," Gay wrote. Cuomo, who resigned from his position as governor in 2021 over several sexual harassment allegations, is the top choice for 38% of likely Democratic primary voters in New York City, according to a Marist Poll released on Wednesday. "The Democratic establishment has often prized seniority and incumbency over reason," Gay wrote, pointing to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez being skipped over as the top member on the House Oversight Committee for 74-year-old Gerry Connolly, who passed away in May. "But whether the problem is stale ideas or lack of fitness, a fixation on seniority or on political dynasties, the practical effect is roughly the same." Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Cuomo, told Gay, "This is the dinosaur wing of the Democratic Party." "They're just there to protect themselves and not rock the boat," Smith added. Cuomo was also under investigation while he was governor for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic amid allegations his administration vastly understated COVID-related deaths at state nursing homes. Cuomo is running against Zorhan Mamdani, a 33-year-old far-left, socialist state assemblyman from Queens, as well as New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who was arrested by DHS agents on Tuesday. According to the Marist poll, Mamdani stands in second place behind Cuomo with 27% support in the primary, which is conducted using a ranked-choice voting system in which voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. Gay discussed her column on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and said Cuomo was a "real standard-bearer" of people within the Democratic Party "who have held on to power by stomping out competition by using really big name recognition, but haven't really delivered for their constituents." The piece noted that former President Joe Biden chose to run for re-election despite voter apprehensions about his age, which turned out to be disastrous for the Democrast when he was forced out of the race last year. Gay said Cuomo delivered for some New Yorkers but added, "there's a broad base of the Democratic Party, including just young professionals, and older people who want to see more fight against Donald Trump, and they are very angry at the Democratic Party establishment." "Mr. Cuomo may be elected mayor anyway. Even if he is, the Democrats have to realize that becoming the serious opposition party the country needs requires them to embrace competition, and let the best talent rise to govern cities and states in a way that works for a majority of their constituents. The dinosaur wing doesn't have the answers. It's in the way," Gay wrote in her column. Mamdani secured endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who expressed a need for "new politics and new leadership" in his endorsement statement.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Philippine president asks Cabinet secretaries to resign in post-midterm poll reset
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has called on all of his Cabinet secretaries to resign following an underwhelming result in the country's midterm election a week ago. Last week's polls were seen as a proxy battle between the country's main political dynasties. It saw more opposition candidates take control of crucial seats in the Senate. Buena Bernal reports from Manila.
