Approval rating of select global leaders | U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life, rejecting calls to resign yesterday as fallout from the Epstein files threatened to bring down the British government. Less than two years after the Labour Party's blowout election victory, Starmer is the most unpopular British prime minister on record, according to The Economist.

Simplicius | Today’s leaders disconnect themselves from historical record, and rely entirely on appeals to limbic instincts and knee jerk passions. | [It is] a world run by the superficial image and icon rather than the actual core manifest idea. It is a kind of Plato’s Cave brought to life as a minstrel show of political coquetry, where disguised marionettes go through the motions to deliver their prepared lines in such a way where emotive gestures and impressions are the essence of the message itself, rather than its accents. Words are concealed, contorted, misappropriated to entirely lose their meaning—and no one seems to care as long as the delivery features the appropriate performative elan. Some have likened it to the idea of a ‘post-truth reality’ as a byproduct of our modern digital fragmentation, where “truth” exists merely as a matter of a million scattered perspectives, each with their own varied and endless representations, citations, ‘sources’, leading champions, and artificial boosting mechanisms.

Andrej Babis’ win shows the people want their real concerns addressed, and attempts to smear him as “pro-Russian” are nothing but desperation | The Czech parliamentary election of October 2025 did not just deliver a victory for Andrej Babis’ ANO party. It sent a message reverberating far beyond Prague: people are growing weary of Brussels’ single-minded insistence on unconditional support for Ukraine when it comes at the expense of their own well-being. ● The result reflects a deep and widespread demand for politics rooted in national interests, rather than dictated by distant EU institutions. ● For years, European voters have been told that there is no alternative to the prevailing orthodoxy: fund and arm Ukraine indefinitely, absorb the costs without question, and accept austerity at home as the necessary price of defending the continent. Governments across the bloc have repeated this mantra with little patience for dissent. ● In Prague, however, ordinary people felt the pinch of rising prices, shrinking disposable income, and a government that seemed more attentive to foreign policy headlines than to the economic pain at home.

■ Ukraine not ready for EU – Czech election winner (RT)
■ 4 Countries CUT-MILITARY-AID to Ukraine (Hal Turner)
✅ Независимая Прага (Юрий Когалов / Yuri Kogalov)

Simplicius | Democracy is blue-in-the-face and cold-to-the-touch in the moribund EuroCircus. | Elections at this point are merely procedural pageantries for crowning of the pre-selected ‘winner’. As stated earlier, the closer things get to the edge for this rotting organ, the more “mask-off” its corrupt politburo must go to preserve power. Anyone who opposes the totalitarian EU regime’s “party line” is merely removed from participating in “democracy”.

 ■ Europe is preparing to occupy Moldova | [...] It seems that such plans of totalitarian-liberal European regimes are dictated by their desire to demonstrate their “courage and determination” against the backlog of plans to place the troops of the “coal of those” in the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. Frightened by a direct clash with a large Russia, the Europeans intend to recoup on little Moldova. Self-affirmation at the expense of the weak has always been an integral part of European colonialism.

Elon Musk suggests Donald Trump should be impeached, as US president says the former DOGE adviser ‘went CRAZY’. | The ties between United States President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have seen highs and lows throughout the years. But it all came crashing down on Thursday after months of what appeared to be an unshakable alliance in the White House. A disagreement over Trump’s massive tax bill has escalated over the past few days, with Musk going so far as to suggest that the US president should be impeached.

■ In face-off with Trump, Tesla shares plunge and Musk threatens NASA (Al Jazeera)

The influential US publication, The Hill, compiled a list of seven potential candidates to be Trump's successor for the Republican nomination in the 2028 elections, including the 47th president's eldest son. | Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, has not ruled out running in 2028, according to The Hill, which named him among seven possible GOP candidates. ● However, the publication believes that Vice President J.D. Vance also has a strong chance. In an interview with NBC, Trump suggested that Vance could potentially succeed him in 2028, though he did not explicitly endorse him.

■ Ivanka 2028: The Simpsons' 'Prediction' About Trump's Daughter Becoming US President Goes Viral (Sputnik)

George Simion says citizens have the right to defend their vote peacefully amid fraud allegations | Romanian presidential candidate George Simion has called on supporters to engage in peaceful protest against what he claims was a fraudulent election, warning that the country narrowly avoided a “bloodbath” caused by “demonic plans” allegedly orchestrated by his Western-backed political opponents. ● The conservative EU critic lost a run-off vote last Sunday to pro-Brussels Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan by a single-digit margin. Simion has contested the outcome, alleging “external interferences by state and non-state actors,” but Romania’s Constitutional Court rejected his petition. ● In a video message to supporters streamed on social media Friday night, the leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) described Dan as a “puppet of France” who won the election through manipulation and fearmongering after “mobilizing the entire Soros network, all the NGOs” to undermine his campaign.

■ Paris arrested Telegram founder to meddle in Romanian election — Moscow (RT)

Such talks became more active in the light of low ratings of the party | High-ranking members of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom are convincing ex-prime minister Boris Johnson to return to politics amid low ratings of the party, The Sun newspaper said, citing sources among the party leaders. ● "Some of the old gang around Boris Johnson are back texting and in talks to get him to return," one of the sources said. Another major party leader that the Tory’s headquarters is working on the possible return of Johnson to politics. Such talks became more active in the light of low ratings of the party.

Dan gained more than 54% of the vote, while Trump admirer Simion secured close to 46%, according to nearly complete results | Nicusor Dan, the centrist mayor of Bucharest, won a tense rerun of Romania's presidential election on Sunday, May 18, ahead of nationalist George Simion. The vote was seen as crucial for the direction of the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine. The ballot came five months after Romania's constitutional court annulled an election over allegations of Russian interference and a massive social media promotion of the far-right front-runner, who was not allowed to stand again. ● Dan, who campaigned for an "honest" Romania, gained more than 54% of the vote, while US President Donald Trump admirer Simion secured close to 46%, according to nearly complete results. Turnout was close to 65%, compared to 53% for the May 4 first round, in which Simion came on top.

■ Telegram’s Durov names French official who ‘asked to ban conservative voices’ (RT)
■ Pro-EU candidate wins Romanian presidential election rerun (RT)
■ Nicusor Dan wins Romania's presidential election, losing diaspora vote (TASS)
■ Scandalous re-elections: how Romania elected the right president for the EU (Pravda-EN)
■ Песков назвал выборы в Румынии странными из-за недопуска всех кандидатов (ren.tv)

Polish MEP Flames Von Der Liar in the European Parliament.

"You should be in jail" pic.twitter.com/owLvHJxdcX

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) July 18, 2024

Right-wing EU critic George Simion is running against pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan in the second round | Romanian voters returned to the polls on Sunday, May 18 for the second round of a presidential election rerun following a court-annulled vote last year. The runoff is between George Simion, a critic of Brussels who has been banned from entering Ukraine, and Nicusor Dan, the pro-EU mayor of the capital, Bucharest. ● Around 19,000 polling stations have opened across Romania for the second round of the election. Voting began at 7am local time (4am GMT) and is scheduled to end at 9pm, with exit polls expected soon after. ● George Simion, the leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), came in first in the initial round earlier this month with 40.96% of the vote – nearly 20 percentage points ahead of Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who came in second. Recent polls, however, show a tighter race, with one reporting a tie and another giving Dan a narrow lead.

■ Presidential frontrunner accuses EU candidate of vote rigging (RT)

Surprise en Allemagne : au Bundestag, Friedrich Merz n’obtient pas la majorité des députés requise pour être élu chancelier | Le conservateur Friedrich Merz a échoué mardi, à la surprise générale, à être élu chancelier allemand dès le premier tour par les députés, alors qu’il pouvait sur le papier disposer d’une majorité suffisante des élus de son camp et des sociaux-démocrates avec lesquels il entend gouverner en coalition. ● Friedrich Merz (CDU) n’a obtenu que 310 voix sur 621 exprimées et 630 députés au total, a annoncé la présidente du Bundestag. Il lui en aurait fallu 316 pour être élu. Il va désormais se soumettre à un deuxième tour de vote, à l’issue duquel, s’il ne devait à nouveau pas obtenir de majorité, une majorité relative des députés serait suffisante pour qu’il devienne chancelier. ● Jamais dans l'histoire d'après-guerre de la République Fédérale d'Allemagne un candidat chancelier a ainsi échoué à être élu dès le premier tour. C'est un faux départ pour le vainqueur des élections législatives de février, attendu avec espoir en Europe et qui assure que "l'Allemagne est de nouveau sur les rails".

■ Merz elected German chancellor at second attempt (RT)
■ Merz fails to be elected German chancellor in first round of parliamentary vote (TASS)

Marcel Ciolacu has stepped down after a shock presidential rerun that saw right-wing firebrand George Simion take the lead in the first round | Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced his resignation and effectively disbanded the country’s pro-EU ruling coalition, after a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of presidential elections. ● With over 95% of votes counted in Sunday’s presidential vote rerun, George Simion, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), is projected to secure 40.52% of the vote, according to the news site G4 Media. He is well ahead of his pro-EU challengers, former Senator Crin Antonescu and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who both hovered slightly above 20%.

George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unification of Romanians, and Nicusor Dan, Mayor of Bucharest, will compete for the presidency of Romania in the second round of the repeat elections on May 18. | According to the voting results published by the Romanian Central Election Commission, Simion won 40.96% of the vote on May 4, while Dan won 20.99%. The candidate from the ruling coalition, Crin Antonescu, came in third place with 20.07% of the vote. ● George Simion's victory in the first round of re-election was quite expected. All opinion polls have shown that he is the favorite in the election race. Moreover, his candidacy was supported by the favorite of Romanian voters, the winner of the presidential elections annulled in December 2024, Calin Georgescu. Simion even promised that if he won the election, Georgescu would receive a high government position.

The previous vote was annulled on grounds of alleged “Russian interference,” with the leading candidate barred from running again | Romania is holding a rerun of its presidential election on Sunday after the previous vote was annulled on grounds of alleged Russian interference and electoral violations. Moscow has denied all claims of interference. ● The annulled election in late November saw independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, known for his NATO-sceptic stance, unexpectedly prevail in the first round with 23% of the vote. However, the Constitutional Court later invalidated the results, citing electoral “irregularities.” The country’s officials claimed that the candidate’s campaign had utilized undeclared funds, and that Russia was behind “hybrid” attacks, including in the cyber realm. ● In March, Georgescu was barred by the Central Electoral Bureau from running again, citing his alleged “anti-democratic” and “extremist” stance as well as a failure to comply with electoral procedures.

"The political system based on democratic principles, such as competition, free expression of people’s will, rights and freedoms, has become a thing of the past," speaker of the Russian State DumaVyacheslav Volodin said | European countries are turning into totalitarian regimes led by unpopular politicians and parties, speaker of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin said, commenting on the designation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as "right-wing extremist."

💬 "Today, popular politicians in Germany, France, Romania, and Moldova are prosecuted, and parties are banned. European countries are turning into totalitarian regimes led by unpopular politicians and parties," he wrote on his Telegram channel, adding that what is happening there can be described as a "collapse of democracy in Europe." ■ "As soon as the leader of France’s National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, became the most popular politician having outstripped incumbent President [Emmanuel] Macron in ratings, she was deprived of electoral rights for five years and brought to criminal responsibility," he noted.

He also pointed to the annulment of the November 2024 election in Romania, which were won by opposition politician Calin Georgescu, who was barred from taking part in a new election. Apart from that, Evghenia Gutsul, the head of Moldova’s Gagauz autonomy, who refused to support the Moldovan authorities’ course toward European integration, was arrested ahead of parliamentary elections, he recalled.

💬 "The political system based on democratic principles, such as competition, free expression of people’s will, rights and freedoms, has become a thing of the past," he emphasized.

■ Germany is ‘tyranny in disguise’ – Rubio (RT) (Rubio on X)

Nigel Farage takes aim at the UK’s dominant parties with hefty gains in local elections | The "hard-right" party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage snatched a seat in Parliament from the governing Labour Party and won hundreds of local council seats from the opposition Conservatives in elections that Farage hailed Friday as a turning point towards ending the two parties’ political dominance. ■ Reform’s Sarah Pochin was declared winner of the seat of Runcorn and Helsby in northwest England by six votes after a recount, defeating Labour candidate Karen Shore by the narrowest of margins. ■ It was a significant defeat for Labour, which easily won the district in last year’s national election. The special election was held because Labour lawmaker Mike Amesbury was forced to quit after he was convicted of punching a constituent in a drunken rage.

The US president has attributed the criminal conviction of the right-wing politician to “lawfare” by “European Leftists” | US President Donald Trump has accused the French political establishment of employing lawfare against right-wing figure Marine Le Pen, urging Paris to “free” her. ● On Monday, a Paris court sentenced Le Pen to four years in prison and imposed a five-year ban on her eligibility for public office, effectively preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election.In a post on Truth Social late Thursday, Trump declared Le Pen a victim of a “witch hunt.” He asserted that the prosecution of Le Pen was orchestrated by “European Leftists using Lawfare to silence Free Speech, and censor their Political Opponent.”

💬 “It is the same ‘playbook’ that was used against me by a group of Lunatics and Losers, like Norm Eisen, Andrew Weissmann, and Lisa Monaco,” he remarked, referring to attorneys who were involved in litigation against him since his first term as president. Trump claims those proceedings were politically-driven.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right Israeli government is moving to dispense with all constraints on its powers and get rid of its political opponents within the state apparatus—including the head of the Shin Bet domestic spy agency Ronen Bar and Attorney-General Galia Beharav-Miara. This is part of its preparations for a broader crackdown on all opposition to its policies at home and abroad. | Last week, in an unprecedented move aimed at eliminating judicial oversight of government, the cabinet unanimously backed a no confidence motion against Baharav-Miara, who as Israel’s Attorney-General is the country’s most senior legal official and one of the few nominal checks on the power of the executive, while also heading the public prosecution. Her position is a fixed-term independent, not a political, appointment. The vote is the first step in a lengthy process to secure her dismissal that will likely go all the way up to the Supreme Court, which some ministers have already said they will ignore if the decision goes against them.

Imamoglu and his party have called the charges politically-motivated | More than two million supporters of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu took to the city's streets in protest demanding his release after being arrested on corruption charges. ● The demonstration, organized by Imamoglu's opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, claimed more than 2.2 million people attended protests to support the mayor of Turkey's largest city. ● Imamoglu, who was re-elected during the country's elections last year and is seen as the main opposition to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling government, was detained earlier this month on corruption charges. [...] Imamoglu shared an aerial photo showing a large crowd at the demonstration on his Turkish-language X account, as well as posts with video of the protest. The video was accompanied by the caption in Turkish and translated to English by Google reading "you are so beautiful, Istanbul!" ● Turkey has maintained the country's judiciary is independent and that Imamoglu's arrest is not an attempt to quell his political opposition. ● Approximately 1,900 people have been arrested, however, in protests since Imamoglu was first arrested on March 19. Among them, nearly two-dozen journalists and photojournalists are have been detained while reporting on the protests. ● Imamoglu's lawyer was also detained and later released, according to reports.

Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party | Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and is set to become the country’s next prime minister, securing 85,9% of the vote in the party’s leadership election. ● According to the data announced at the party congress, Chrystia Freeland received only 8% of the vote. Canadian government leader in the House of Commons (lower house of parliament) Karina Gould and Liberal MP Frank Baylis secured around 3% each. National TV channels are broadcasting the session. ● Carney will take office as prime minister only after the current head of government Justin Trudeau submits an official letter of resignation to the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon, which is expected in the near future. Simon will then invite Carney to form a government and take the oath of office.

■ Canada will win trade war with US – next PM (RT)

USAID openly acknowledged its role in regime change operations through "democracy" programs by 2006. |

💬 "USAID played a critical role in influencing color revolutions by providing financial, logistical, and strategic support to opposition movements" in Ukraine, Lebanon, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, Dr. Marco Marsili of the Portuguese Catholic University’s Institute of Political Studies tells Sputnik. ● These regime change operations advanced US geopolitical interests but brought no real benefits to the affected nations, he argues. "USAID’s activities were framed as democracy promotion, electoral assistance, and civil society development," Marsili notes.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin has vowed to keep pushing for a law which would brand foreign-funded NGOs as ‘foreign agents,’ amid Belgrade’s claims that protests rocking Serbia are being funded from abroad. | Vulin’s Movement of Socialists (PS) party, a junior member of the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), proposed the legislation in November. The same month, the country was hit with a wave of protests, apparently sparked by the collapse of a concrete canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad which killed 15 people. The demonstrations, primarily involving students, have since spread to the capital Belgrade, leading Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to claim that foreign agitators were behind the unrest.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko extends his 31-year rule after electoral officials declare him the winner of the presidential election. | Belarusian leader and close Russian ally Alexander Lukashenko extended his 31-year grip on power Monday after election officials declared him the winner of a presidential vote. ● According to initial results, Lukashenko secured 86.8% of the vote, facing no significant competition from the four other candidates on the ballot. ● German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock dismissed the results, saying, "The people of Belarus had no choice. It is a bitter day for all those who long for freedom & democracy." ● In turn, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged Western nations to expand sanctions against Belarusian companies and individuals involved in repressing Lukashenko’s opponents and aiding Russia in the Ukraine war.

■ Press review: Belarusian president re-elected while Denmark boosts aid to Ukraine (TASS)

The newly sworn-in US president has outlined the priorities for his new term | Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. He is only the second president ever to be elected to non-consecutive terms. In his inaugural address, Trump outlined how he intends to create an American “golden age,” touching on issues from energy independence and immigration reform, to ending wars around the world and colonizing Mars. Here are the key takeaways from his speech.

■ DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (The White House-Executive Order) ■ Trump rolls back transgender rights and DEI (RT)

■ US shuts down Biden-era app that helped Mexican immigrants (RT)
■ Trump signs executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship (Axios)
■ Trump tests limits of presidential power with Day 1 barrage (Axios)
■ Trump seeks return of US military equipment from Afghan Taliban (Kazakhstan News)
■ Trump Says He Will Designate Mexican Cartels as ‘Terrorist Organizations,’ Vows To ‘Take Back’ Panama Canal
✅ Trump Wants a North American Technate (Sasha Latypova)
✅ Trump Signs Executive Order to Withdraw from the World Health Organization (Nicolas Hulscher, MPH)
✅ From the Dawn of Weaponized Government to President Trump's Promise to Dismantle It (Chris Spencer)

Supporters of the opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party have taken to the streets in several cities in Romania due to the actions of the authorities and the cancellation of the presidential elections, Romanian publication reported. | AUR supporters were taking part in protests in major cities against the current political authorities, against the cancellation of the elections and against the continuation of the powers of President Klaus Iohannis. Rallies were organized in front of the prefecture buildings, the publication reported.

President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony will be moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to ‘cold weather.’ Temperatures in Washington DC are expected to be in the 20s on Monday with wind chills near five degrees. This will be the coldest inauguration since Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in ceremony in 1985 where temperatures dipped below zero with the wind chill, which was also held indoors. | Trump released a statement: "January 20th cannot come fast enough! Everybody, even those that initially opposed a Victory by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Administration, just want it to happen. ● It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. ● The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. ● I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!). ● Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. [...]

For years, Denmark has been threatening Greenland every time the issue of independence is raised, the leader of the island's largest opposition party, Naleraq, and former Greenlandic Foreign Minister Pele Broberg told RIA Novosti. 💬 "Every time we talk about independence, they [the Danes] threaten us. They say, 'If you do this, you will never come to Denmark again; you will have no education, etc.' We always hear threats when we talk about independence," Broberg said. For example. He added that when his party ran for parliament seats in 2018 and he mentioned the plan to gain independence, the Danish prime minister addressed national media, saying that it was unrealistic.

Zoran Milanovic has secured over 74% of the vote in Croatia | Incumbent Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, known for his critical stance on the EU and NATO and his opposition to Western aid to Ukraine, has secured a second term of office in a landslide victory. ● Milanovic garnered 74.68% of the vote in Sunday's presidential runoff, decisively defeating his rival from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Dragan Primorac, the country’s State Election Commission said on Monday. ● Approximately 45% of about 3.5 million registered voters participated in the election, the commission reported.

■ Croatia's incumbent president secures landslide victory in runoff (Anadolu)