Latest news with #re-election
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Gore mayor Ben Bell fires back on tough first term
Gore mayor Ben Bell has had a difficult first term in office but is seeking re-election. Photo: LDR / Otago Daily Times Gore mayor Ben Bell has labelled a recent account of his tumultuous first term as "bullying". On Wednesday, a story about the mayor's difficult few years in office was published by RNZ and re-used by other outlets. It covered a widely publicised fallout with the former chief executive, a near vote of no confidence in Bell, and dirty politics. The story said numerous attempts had been made to interview Bell - including a trip to Gore to meet him - but the mayor pulled out at short notice and stopped responding. Bell wasn't happy with what he read in the RNZ article. "I think it's an example of the bullying that I've experienced the whole way through," he said. "I don't think they've done a positive article on anything that we've done, and to get comments from the former mayor kind of shows their attitude towards us." Bell also felt it was misreported that he didn't want to speak for the story. "I've just actually been busy serving my community and schedules didn't line up and they didn't want to talk to me on the phone. "I think they said I was avoiding them, that's not the case whatsoever." In response, an RNZ spokesperson said the broadcaster stood by its article which included the perspective of a former mayor and the current deputy mayor of Gore. "As stated in the article, RNZ made numerous attempts to interview the current mayor Ben Bell, even travelling to Gore to meet with him. We also made clear to Mr Bell that we wanted to give him an opportunity to respond to the comments of others. "Mr Bell did not take up this opportunity and has not responded to RNZ's subsequent efforts to make contact," the spokesperson added. Former long-serving mayor Tracy Hicks was a key feature in the piece and took his opportunity to jab at the mayor. Hicks wondered what Bell had achieved, questioned the mayor's long-term commitment to the area, and said the council would have avoided reputational damage had he been re-elected. Bell disagreed with Hicks but said he was entitled to his opinion. The young mayor was seeking re-election and pointed to that decision as an example of his commitment to Gore. "In terms of my reflection, I think the first year and a half was a struggle. There was a lot of change brought about. A lot of councillors just getting used to me and my style," Bell said - a tamer view than what Hicks made of the first year: "a train wreck". Bell said progress was being made with the new chief executive onboard and momentum was building. When elected in October 2022, the then-23-year-old became the youngest mayor in New Zealand history. He thwarted Hicks' shot at a seventh term by just eight votes. Hicks told the Southland Times last election that he was running for the final time, but since indicated to RNZ he is reconsidering. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
World's oldest president eyes eighth term - at the age of 92
As the world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's president is seeking re-election in October in a move that would extend his 43 years in power. Currently 92 years-old, another seven-year term could see him remain in power until he is nearly 100. So far his tenure presents a mixed picture, marked by both support and criticism. President Paul Biya first took power in 1982 and has not lost an election in the central African nation since. Under his governance, Cameroon survived an economic crisis and moved away from one-party rule. Biya also claimed on X that his latest decision to run followed "numerous and insistent" calls across 10 Cameroonian regions and the diaspora. But during decades in power, his administration has faced backlash over embezzlement, corruption, bad governance and insecurity. In 2008, democratic backsliding led to the abolition of term limits - allowing his continuous re-election. Concerns have also been raised about his health and ability to govern. During a six-week mysterious absence from public eye last year, authorities banned the media from discussing the president's health. As rumours of ill-health quickly spread, interior minister Paul Atanga Nji said such stories 'disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians'. The president's health was deemed a matter of national security and 'offenders' were threatened with legal action. Notorious for long periods of time spent abroad, Biya in 2018 held a cabinet meeting for the first time in more than two years. An investigation supported by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that Biya spent a third of the year abroad in some years, such as 2006 and 2009. Along the way he missed key events, including a 2016 train accident which killed 75 people and the violent repression of protests over the marginalisation of Anglophone minorities. The protests set off what later became a separatist insurgency in English speaking provinces, who have historically complained of discrimination in Francophone-dominated public institutions. This year's election also comes as Cameroonians face climbing living costs and high unemployment. Confirmation of Biya's candidacy in a post on X on Sunday followed a rift with long-term allies in northern regions, who had previously been key in securing northern votes. Prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari left the governing coalition and announced their candidacy separately. 'A country cannot exist in the service of one man,' Tchiroma said. If elected, Tchiroma has offered a referendum to devolve power as a solution to the so-called Anglophone crisis. Elsewhere Biya's supporters and members of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement have publicly backed his candidacy since last year. Human rights groups have criticised the perceived crackdown on dissent. Parliamentary elections that were due to take place in 2024 were also delayed until 2026.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Camaroon's president, 92, wants another seven-year term
Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state and President of Cameroon since 1982, is seeking re-election in October, which could extend his 43-year rule. If successful, the 92-year-old could remain in power until he is nearly 100, having never lost an election since taking office. His long tenure is marked by both achievements, such as economic recovery and moving away from one-party rule, and significant criticism over corruption, bad governance, insecurity, and the abolition of term limits in 2008. Concerns have been raised about his health and frequent long absences from Cameroon, including missing key events, with authorities previously banning media discussion of his health. The upcoming election occurs amidst rising living costs and high unemployment in Cameroon, and follows a rift with key northern allies who have now announced their own candidacies.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
World's oldest president eyes eighth term - at the age of 92
As the world's oldest head of state, Cameroon 's president is seeking re-election in October in a move that would extend his 43 years in power. Currently 92 years-old, another seven-year term could see him remain in power until he is nearly 100. So far his tenure presents a mixed picture, marked by both support and criticism. President Paul Biya first took power in 1982 and has not lost an election in the central African nation since. Under his governance, Cameroon survived an economic crisis and moved away from one-party rule. Biya also claimed on X that his latest decision to run followed "numerous and insistent" calls across 10 Cameroonian regions and the diaspora. But during decades in power, his administration has faced backlash over embezzlement, corruption, bad governance and insecurity. In 2008, democratic backsliding led to the abolition of term limits - allowing his continuous re-election. Concerns have also been raised about his health and ability to govern. During a six-week mysterious absence from public eye last year, authorities banned the media from discussing the president's health. As rumours of ill-health quickly spread, interior minister Paul Atanga Nji said such stories 'disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians'. The president's health was deemed a matter of national security and 'offenders' were threatened with legal action. Notorious for long periods of time spent abroad, Biya in 2018 held a cabinet meeting for the first time in more than two years. An investigation supported by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that Biya spent a third of the year abroad in some years, such as 2006 and 2009. Along the way he missed key events, included a 2016 train accident which killed 75 people and the violent repression of protests over the marginalisation of Anglophone minorities. The protests set off what later became a separatist insurgency in English speaking provinces, who have historically complained of discrimination in Francophone-dominated public institutions. This year's election also comes as Cameroonians face climbing living costs and high unemployment. Confirmation of Biya's candidacy in a post on X on Sunday followed a rift with long-term allies in northern regions, who had previously been key in securing northern votes. Prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari left the governing coalition and announced their candidacy separately. 'A country cannot exist in the service of one man,' Tchiroma said. If elected, Tchiroma has offered a referendum to devolve power as a solution to the so-called Anglophone crisis. Elsewhere Biya's supporters and members of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement have publicly backed his candidacy since last year. Human rights groups have criticised the perceived crackdown on dissent. Parliamentary elections that were due to take place in 2024 were also delayed until 2026.
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Cameroon's Paul Biya, 92, announces bid for eighth presidential term
Cameroon's nonagenarian head of state, Paul Biya, will run for re-election in this year's presidential vote expected on October 12, a post on the president's social media account said on Sunday. 'I am a candidate in the presidential election of October 12, 2025. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,' the post on the official account said. Biya, the world's oldest serving head of state, came to power more than four decades ago in 1982, when his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned. Several longstanding supporters of Biya appear to be distancing themselves and the president's health is the subject of frequent speculation, most recently last year when he disappeared from public view for 42 days. But the opposition is deeply divided and is struggling to unite behind a single candidate. Maurice Kamto, Biya's fiercest critic, is in the running for Cameroon's presidency. Photo: AFP There have been two high-profile defections from Biya's camp in recent weeks.
