Filip Turek, honorary president of the Motorists party, has secured seats in the European and national parliaments but has been denied a ministerial position, remaining a 'non-minister' who attends government meetings.

A former Member of Parliament, Mr. Ramadass, has urged the Indian government to seek a comprehensive and binding bilateral fisheries arrangement with Sri Lanka to address the recurring arrests of Indian fishermen.

An article discusses the freedom of speech for Members of Parliament (MPs) in India, questioning whether House rules can override constitutional rights regarding their speech.

Albania's Council of Mandates is set to decide on Monday regarding SPAK's request to lift the immunity of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, following a request from the European Commission to the Albanian Parliament.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic, Aguiar-Branco, will visit Alcácer do Sal on Monday, a municipality recently affected by floods, as part of the 'Parliament close' initiative.

The article laments the decline of parliaments and public forums, referencing Steiner's view of European cafes as open spaces for discussion, suggesting a broader societal shift.

Taiwan’s parliament is set to prioritise review of a disputed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defence budget bill when its new session begins on Tuesday, as pressure mounts from Washington. But US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about consulting Chinese President Xi Jinping on arms sales could complicate the debate, potentially giving Taipei’s opposition parties greater room to manoeuvre and reshape the final version of the bill, according to analysts. The renewed push follow...

A Turkish opposition lawmaker has called for a parliamentary investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment of 12 minors arrested during protests supporting Kurdish women in Syria.

Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party reported that at least 99 minors were detained in January over protests related to a Syrian government offensive targeting Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria, calling for a parliamentary investigation.

The Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives (ERK) has decided to merge with the Estonian Freedom Party – Farmers Assembly (EVP-PL).

During a parliamentary session, the Albanian parliamentary majority voted down six draft laws proposed by opposition deputies, which included measures like VAT reduction on basic products and increased social support.

With Russia's State Duma elections set for September 2026, the Kremlin's internal policy team is pressuring state and pro-government media to boost coverage of the ruling party's social initiatives.

TURKPA and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held discussions on expanding their cooperation during the 25th Winter Session in Vienna.

Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, stated that Europe must project reliability to the world and expressed regret that the European Parliament voted against delaying the Mercosur agreement in the current geopolitical climate.

Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie has offered a $600,000 reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible for a deadly attack in Denham Town, Jamaica.

After nearly a year in government, frustration is reportedly growing within Austria's Neos parliamentary club, as members struggle with the balance between their reform ambitions and the realities of daily governance.

An accused individual has alleged that a Chega party Member of Parliament bought votes from neo-Nazis, claiming over a hundred members of extremist groups were involved and payments exceeded 3,500 euros.

Labour MP Rupa Huq highlighted the dangerous and squalid conditions of the UK Parliament building, which is riddled with asbestos and mice, calling for the long-promised upgrade to be expedited.

Maxwell Kwame Lukutor, the Member of Parliament for South Tongu, has inspected newly acquired surgical equipment valued at over GH₵500,000 at the South Tongu District Hospital and provided logistical support to the District Court.

Reports indicate that a Principal Secretary (PS) in Kenya has been reaching out to Members of Parliament from his constituency for assistance, but his calls are being ignored due to perceived arrogance.

British Members of Parliament from the Business and Trade Committee plan to examine Prince Andrew's former role as a special trade envoy, following his arrest on suspicion of disclosing confidential information.

PASOK declines, with low voter cohesion and limited leadership approval for Androulakis – Just under 10% potential vote for Karystianou and Tsipras – Seven-party parliament, lower threshold for majori

A recent Marc poll for Proto Thema indicates ND leading with 31.4% in vote estimates, with Prime Minister Mitsotakis showing strong individual approval. PASOK's support is declining, and a seven-party parliament is projected.

Iceland's parliament has approved amendments to allow displaced residents of Grindavík to choose their voting location in upcoming municipal elections.

Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party reported that police detained at least 99 minors in January over protests tied to a Syrian government offensive targeting Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria, calling for a parliamentary investigation.

With rising prices and declining public approval, the Kremlin is instructing loyal media outlets to flood the news cycle with positive stories to influence public opinion before parliamentary elections.

The UK Parliament building is described as dangerous and squalid, plagued by asbestos and mice, with calls for the long-promised upgrade to commence urgently.

Political parties in South Korea are preparing for the June 3 local elections, with a 100-day countdown now underway. Parliamentary by-elections are also expected to increase as lawmakers seek local government positions.

On Thursday, the Venezuelan parliament unanimously approved the amnesty law, which is expected to allow the release of hundreds of prisoners The post Venezuela: Amnesty granted to 379 political prisoners appeared first on ProtoThema English.

Violence has broken out near the Albanian parliament as demonstrators demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and accountability in a corruption investigation.

Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister announced that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan will be taken to a hospital twice more for an injection on February 25.

U.S. Natural Gas Futures Steady in Early Trade  The Wall Street Journal

PPP stalwart Raza Rabbani has urged that the agreement with the United States for the redevelopment of the Roosevelt Hotel be presented to Parliament.

The youth minimum wage is set to rise over this parliament, but it’s putting off employers from hiring people into their first roles When Keir Starmer was 14 years old, he got a part-time job clearing stones from a local farmer’s field. At 16, Kemi Badenoch was flipping burgers and cleaning toilets in McDonald’s. Me, I waitressed at weekends from the age of 15 in an Essex pub owned by an ex-paratrooper with two formidable rottweilers roaming behind the bar, which was a life lesson all of its own. But whatever your first job may have been, there’s a reasonable chance it combined the thrill of hard cash with several mortifying mistakes and a crash course in handling stroppy customers, taking criticism more or less gracefully and moaning about it only out of earshot. Though teenage starter jobs have been in decline for decades – for reasons varying from academic pressures on sixth-formers to the rise of side hustles on Vinted that don’t show up in official statistics – everyone still has to start somewhere, even if it’s now more likely at 18 than 14. But getting that start is becoming harder than it was. Continue reading...

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways continues to face a significant sustainability gap, with its immediate obligations more than 10 times higher than the current operational surplus, a National Assembly panel was told on Thursday. “Against a current operational surplus of Rs2.4 billion, immediate obligations amount to Rs27.4 billion, highlighting a structural funding shortfall that requires strategic support and long-term financial restructuring to ensure sustainable operations,” Paki­stan Railways’ member of finance told the National Assembly’s Stan­ding Committee on Parli­amentary Affairs, which met here with Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, MNA, in the chair. The secretary of parliamentary affairs briefed the committee on the status of complaints received about Pakistan Railways pensioners to the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit. The member of finance told the committee that PR has undertaken active liability management to address longstanding emp­loyee obligations, disbursing Rs5.622bn tow­ards commutation payments (cleared up to 31 May, 2023) and Rs1.103bn towards leave encashment (cleared up to 31 March, 2024). He said while these measures reflect improved financial discipline and commitment to institutional responsibility, the huge gap between available resources and the obligations warranted some action. The representative from National Highway Authority (NHA) briefed the committee on the problems caused by traffic congestion on the Motorway Toll Plaza near Phoolnagar, Qasoor district. The committee was informed that in compliance with the approval of NHA Executive Board for revenue enhancement a new toll plaza was established at Phoolnagar, located at KM 1215-1216 in March 2025. Initially, a temporary structured toll plaza (3 × lanes on each side) was established on the existing road. Due to limited numbers of lanes, traffic congestion occurred frequently. Due to establishment of new toll collection regime, the commuters’ response was very slow for toll payments, resulting in long queues of locals at toll booths. Currently, a new 12-lane (6x lanes each side) toll plaza is 90 per cent completed. Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026

A man identifying as a Karni Sena spokesperson has been detained in Kota, Rajasthan, for allegedly uploading a video threatening to shoot Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress Members of Parliament.

Following the inauguration of the second Kishida Cabinet, the government has decided on the appointments of vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries, with all members being reappointed.

The Speaker of the Greek Parliament, Kaklamanis, revealed that Parliament will hire one of the 12 children from a large family, announced at a conference on demographics.

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 18 - Angelo Bonelli, the co-leader of the Green-Left Alliance (AVS), said Wednesday that he and fellow AVS co-leader Nicola Fratoianni had come under a raft of death threats and accused government ministers of whipping up anger against them. Bonelli blasted Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini over an image linking AVS to the murder of French far-right nationalist student Quentin Deranque and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi for saying the party was the "accomplice" of left-wing protesters who rioted in Turin last month. "We risk becoming targets, we feel like targets," Bonelli said in the Lower House, showing some of the messages he has received. "Over the last few days Fratoianni and I have received very serious threats, all of which have been reported to the police "This is a letter that was delivered to me with a picture of my wife and daughter and our home address with very serious death threats involving a machete, saying they'll cut off my head. "This one arrived a few days ago regarding the clashes in Turin and says 'we'll hammer your children, we'll shoot you in the head'. "This one went to my sister. "It says 'that filthy pig of a brother of yours, we'll hang him upside down in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna and we'll cut off his sh**ty head'". Bonelli called on Piantedosi to report to parliament to say what he intended to do to reduce the level of political tension. (ANSA). Read article...

French authorities have arrested nine individuals, including an assistant to a hard-left parliamentarian, in connection with the fatal attack on 23-year-old far-right activist Quentin Deranque during a protest in Lyon.

Muslim holy month begins in Palestine, Arab, Islamic states with Egypt, Jordan and Syria to follow Thursday

Iran's judiciary has declared the European Parliament’s anti-Iran resolution to be legally baseless.

Sri Lanka’s parliament abolished pensions for all legislators and their widows on Tuesday, in line with a government pledge to prune the perks of politicians. “When people see the quality of debate and what members say in this House, they don’t think MPs deserve a pension,” Justice Minister Harsana Nanayakkara told parliament as it voted to stop pensions with immediate effect. The leftist government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake repealed the 49-year-old Parliamentary Pensions Act just...

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe Authored by Charles Johnson via TheCritic.co.uk, Far more energy has gone into condemning his phrasing than confronting the questions he raised... Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s statement that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” has sparked a fierce reaction. From Starmer to Bluesky, to the Athletic and all the football social media pundits in between, the co-owner of  Manchester United has been bombarded with the same attack lines repeatedly. He has been called a tax dodging, racist immigrant hypocrite. Such an uproar has flared up in such a short space of time because Ratcliffe is radically different from those who have issued similar statements before. Ratcliffe is not a political figure: you do not see billionaires nor football club owners voicing discontent like this. The pushback has been fierce because Ratcliffe has no political incentive to say any of this. He isn’t running for office, seeking favour, or chasing votes — which makes his intervention harder to dismiss. Part of the backlash, too, reflects an unease that his diagnosis may be accurate. The remarks came from an initial conversation regarding the economic challenges Britain faces in general, not solely on immigration. The snippet that has been so widely shared is merely part of a wider statement of the economic problems Britain faces; Ratcliffe refers to the issues of “immigration” and “nine million people” on benefits simultaneously. Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges. 🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO February 11, 2026 Colonised is a strong opening salvo for a figure such as Ratcliffe, who is not known for any previous anti-migration stance. This generated responses of tone policing from his critics – cries that his choice of words were “disgraceful and deeply divisive” and that “this language and leadership has no place in English football” from Kick It Out, a notable “Anti Racism” football pressure group. There was no attempt to argue or debate: this was no more than tone policing, of “mate mate mate, you can’t say that mate”. It did not engage with the substantive point. It was not an argument. The Prime Minister has pushed for Ratcliffe to apologise. Less than a year ago, Starmer was referring to Britain as an ”Island of Strangers”; he has little argument here. Sir Ed Davey has stated that Ratcliffe is “totally wrong” and is “out of step with British Values”. Once again this is weak tone policing, not an argument. Regardless, which British values are being violated in particular? What are British values precisely meant to mean here? The fact is that Ratcliffe’s vocabulary choice is nowhere near as divisive as the impacts of mass migration in the last quarter century. Mass migration is the most important issue in British political debate. It has bought sectarianism, Bengali and Palestinian politics swinging both local council and Parliamentary elections, a deepening of housing crisis, the rape and murder of British women from taxpayer funded hotels and programs which bloat the welfare state even further. It is undeniable mass migration has defined British politics of the 2010s onwards. It has been much more harmful and divisive than any comment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His words are nothing compared to the actions of Deng Chol Majek, or Hedash Kebatu, to name a couple of examples. Critics have also cried that Ratcliffe is “an immigrant himself, dodging tax in Monaco”. The difference between Ratcliffe and migration into Britain is so different they are almost incomparable. In the 2017/18 tax year Ratcliffe was the fifth highest taxpayer in the country, footing a bill of £110.5 million. With such an extraordinarily high bill, it is no wonder that he has since moved to Monaco. Meanwhile, the average salary of of a migrant entering Britain in 2023 (which has fallen by £10,000 since 2021) was £32,946, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control. From this we can estimate a migrant would pay about £5,000 in income tax. That means it would take over 22,000 (statistically average) migrants to foot the tax bill that Ratcliffe paid in one year alone. Ratcliffe has been an exceptional cash cow to the British state. He has been taxed incredible amounts and contributed more to this country than almost anyone currently living; to call him hypocritical since he dared to criticise migration and its impact on the welfare state is simply not fair. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows that migrants from four nations – Somalia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Bangladesh – head over 104,000 social homes in London alone. With such incredible numbers of subsidised housing going to foreign born nationals, it is absolutely correct to state that mass migration is costing the British economy a fortune. The same census states that over 70% of Somali born households are in social housing in England and Wales, whilst also being of lowest contributors to income tax in the nation – paying well under the £5,000 stated per head previously. The increase and sheer scale of benefit reliance for many immigrants in Britain is not sustainable, and it is a problem that is right to be addressed. Perhaps the most nonsensical argument presented by some is that as co-owner of Manchester United he employs a significant number of immigrant players. Bruno Fernandes is not living in social housing in Wythenshawe. Benjamin Sesko is not in a single bed council flat in Hulme. When he arrived in Manchester last year, the first thing Senne Lammens did was not register for Universal Credit. Not a single foreign player is a drain on the state. They are, as elite athletes in the most lucrative league in the world, very clearly exceptions to the norm of British migration. The difference between Bruno Fernandes, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, and the over 40% of Bangladeshi immigrants who are economically inactive should really not need spelling out. We are referring to just 17 foreign senior team players who all earn more in a week than the average migrant – or Brit – will earn in a year. It is ludicrous  to even attempt to compare the two. Regardless, employing or working with immigrants does not mean you waive your right to criticise the state of affairs in Britain. As an Englishman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a given and inalienable right to comment on the affairs of his country. Ratcliffe’s critics have entirely focused on his choice of the word “colonised”, and how they consider it inflammatory. This choice of phrase was not entirely accurate or intentional by Ratcliffe – proved by the fact he issued an apology over his “choice of language”, rather than the substance and argument behind his critique of the broader economic challenge of Britain. The bottom line is, Ratcliffe was right to raise a perfectly reasonable concern. He is directionally correct, and close enough to the truth that the obsessive focus around his phrasing is both absurd and clearly no more than a tactic to dodge the substance of his argument entirely. His critics have been intentionally evasive around the underlying subject: it is a harsh, necessary truth they have no reply too. They avoid the debate because, despite his wording being wrong, Ratcliffe is right. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 06:30

European Parliament has disabled built-in AI features on work devices due to cybersecurity and data protection fears. Tools like writing assistants and summarizers were found to be sending data to cloud servers. Lawmakers are also advised to exercise caution with AI on personal devices. This follows previous bans on apps like TikTok.

Nigeria's National Assembly has approved a N1.5 trillion allocation for the Nigerian Army in the 2026 budget. Lawmakers have pledged to ensure the timely release of these budgeted funds to the military.

Bangladesh's national election recorded a 47.91% turnout by 2 PM, while internal rifts within the BNP party impacted seat outcomes and public sentiment questioned the potential for change.

Anna Psarouda-Benaki, the former President of the Hellenic Parliament, died at the age of 92, surrounded by her family. A trailblazer in Greek public life, she was the first woman to serve as President of the Parliament and the first female President of the Academy of Athens. She was also a Professor Emerita of Criminal […]

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained cut off from rest of the country on Sunday as activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf continued their protest on third consecutive day and blocked all entry and exit points of the province. The PTI activists have blocked Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway at Swabi’s Anbar Interchange, GT Road at Khairabad Bridge, Dera Ismail Khan-Bhakkar Road, Lakki Marwat-Mianwali Road, Hazara Motorway at Abbottabad-Havelian Interchange, Kohat-Pindi Road near Khushal Garh and Upper Kohistan-Gilgit Karakoram Highway. Protesters remained present all the time at exit and entry points and did not allow a single vehicle to enter the province, causing serious problems to passengers and motorists destined to Islamabad and other parts of the country. Former governor Shah Farman, PTI Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem, deputy secretary information Ikram Khattana and other leaders of the party were present at Khairabad Bridge, connecting Attock district of Punjab with KP. Commuters, motorists face hardships Protesters have been demanding of the government to shift PTI founder Imran Khan from jail to hospital for treatment of his eye by doctors of his choice. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Farman said that under Article-4 of the Constitution, no authority could deny treatment of his choice to a patient. He said that the people, who were not allowing treatment of Imran Khan through doctors of his choice, would be responsible if his eye was further damaged. PTI workers blocked Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway near Swabi Interchange to all types of traffic, vowing to stay on roads till Imran Khan was shifted to hospital for medical treatment. Vendors were seen selling various eatables while setting up stalls on motorway, converting it into a market. PTI Swabi general secretary Afsar Khan told journalists that they were not ready to go back homes under any circumstances. “We will continue to sit here and if our demand is not accepted. This protest will continue. The federal government is responsible for the prevailing mess in the country,” he said. Stranded commuters said that government should take action against PTI workers to open the motorway to traffic because people, especially patients, were facing difficulties. “Where should we go, who should we beg, who should we ask and who should we request to open the motorway,” questioned Shahzad Khan, a resident of Peshawar. Uzair Khan, a resident of Gundam who was seriously injured in a firing incident on Saturday, was not allowed to reach a hospital in Peshawar through motorway. The circumstances forced his family to pass through Swabi and Mardan but he did not reach hospital and passed away. His relatives said that PTI workers were responsible for his death. During the last three days, it has been observed, that there is no rush at daytime at the venue of protest. In the afternoon youth start to arrive at rest area and in the evening there is a lot of crowd on motorway. PTI workers blocked roads at four key points in Dera Ismail Khan district on Sunday, suspending traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters and motorists. The sit-ins were held on Bhakkar Road, Multan Road, Chashma Road and CPEC route, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill at these locations. As a result, long queues of vehicles were seen on major arteries. Witnesses said that several commuters remained stranded for hours, while alternative routes also experienced heavy congestion due to diverted traffic. The protest is being held on the call of PTI central leaders, who have urged workers to demonstrate over the deteriorating health of Imran Khan and demand his immediate release. The district administration was monitoring the situation while residents called for restoration of traffic flow to ease their hardships. PTI activists continued protest demonstrations in Lakki Marwat and Karak districts on the second consecutive day on Sunday. A good number of party workers led by former district nazim Ishfaq Ahmad Khan Minakhel gathered at Darra Tang Point where they closed Bannu-Mianwali road, linking KP with Punjab and Islamabad via CPEC route. The closure of road on the second consecutive day troubled transporters and commuters as passenger and good transport vehicles queued up on both sides of the main artery. On the occasion, the former district nazim said that denial of access to healthcare and maltreatment by federal government had led to loss of Imran’s vision. He said that PTI activists had come on roads to hold peaceful protests against the PML-N government, which was responsible for the poor health of their party leader. In Karak, the PTI workers gathered outside Nashapa oil and gas field and staged a sit-in there. They stopped supply from the oil and gas field as oil tankers could not enter or come out of the area. An official of district administration confirmed disruption of oil supply from the field. PTI district president Inayat Khattak said that leaders and workers of the party decided in a meeting to shut down oil and gas fields in Makori, Nashapa and Gurguri to record their protest against non-provision of treatment facilities to Imran Khan. Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2026

Italy's Ambassador to Kosovo extended congratulations to Albulena Haxhiu on her election as President of the Assembly and to Albin Kurti.

The Turkish Parliament's National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee will further discuss a joint report aimed at achieving a terror-free Türkiye, seeking more input this week.

A Scottish Parliament committee is urging immediate improvements to the assessment process for autism and ADHD, citing a 'postcode lottery' in service availability.

The Hungarian Parliament's spring session begins, marking the last for the current National Assembly before the upcoming election. Viktor Orbán is scheduled to deliver his final speech.

Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris stated that he reads about Olympiacos to calm down whenever he is attacked by Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of Plefsi Eleftherias, in Parliament.

An Indian Member of Parliament has stated the goal of transforming the NTR district into a model for natural farming practices.

The German federal government is set to present the key points for the reform of the heating law next week, as announced by SPD parliamentary group leader Miersch.

Minister of Media Jacqueline Galant is facing a motion of no confidence, but Elisabeth Degryse has reportedly saved her with a parliamentary maneuver that could render the motion null and void.

A new survey by Prorata for the Left in the European Parliament and the N. Poulantzas Institute explores the phenomenon of a generation of young people who are growing up but not truly maturing.

Member of Parliament Karauri has officially declared his intention to run for Nairobi governor in the 2027 elections.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan, focusing on environment, birth rate, and high technology, is set to be announced in March during a parliamentary meeting.

Norway's Centre Party (Senterpartiet) has announced a reversal of its previous position, now supporting the implementation of a lobby register and proposing new measures to Parliament.

With parliamentary elections less than a year away, the Kremlin is instructing loyal media outlets to flood the news cycle with positive stories to counter rising prices and declining public approval.

Iceland's parliament has passed amendments to allow residents displaced from Grindavík to choose their voting location in upcoming municipal elections, a measure applying to those affected by recent volcanic activity.

Uruguay’s foreign minister Mario Lubetkin appeared before Parliament’s Permanent Commission after an opposition-led interpellation focused on the government’s stance on Venezuela, a Taiwan-related line included in a joint statement with China, and the lack of clarity over US immigration-visa restrictions affecting Uruguay.

Labour leader Keir Starmer is reportedly considering legislation to remove Prince Andrew from the line of succession, a move that would require an Act of Parliament and could significantly impact the royal family.

Agadir – The Moroccan parliamentary delegation took part in the 24th Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA), held on February 19 and 20 at the Hofburg Conference Center in Vienna.  Making up the Moroccan delegation were members from both parliamentary chambers, including representatives and Councillors […] The post Moroccan Parliamentary Delegation Engages in OSCE-PA 24th Winter Session in Vienna appeared first on Mor...

The mortal remains of Ricky Syngkon, a Member of Parliament from Meghalaya, were laid to rest.

The Majority in Parliament has launched a counter-offensive against the Minority, describing as "reckless" the suggestion that President John Dramani Mahama’s diplomatic engagement with Captain Ibrahim Traoré triggered the recent killing of eight Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso.

Cyprus's political landscape is experiencing upheaval, setting the stage for a fierce battle over seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections and internal party contests.

Austria's FPÖ party has submitted over 4,000 parliamentary inquiries in the current legislative period, averaging 14 per workday last year, drawing criticism from Interior Minister Gerhard Karner over the workload.

Jasmin Emrić, a representative in the BiH Parliament, stated that the judiciary lacks adequate independence and capacity to resolve disputes, speaking at a session on 'Captured institutions undermining the constitutional-legal order of the state of BiH'.

Discussions in Iceland highlight that neither the constitution nor parliamentary rules explicitly prevent MPs from participating in matters that specifically concern them, with the exception of voting on financial issues.

The first day of trials for 'Letzte Generation' (Last Generation) activists in Austria resulted in two convictions and four diversions for protest actions at locations including the airport, state parliament, and federal chancellery.

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić referenced the opening of a Finnish lithium mine to support the controversial Jadar project, reportedly omitting certain details.

Independent MP Jeppe Søe, who will not seek re-election, plans to establish a new political meeting place, similar to the Moderates, before his exit from the Folketing.

Labour MP Rupa Huq highlights the dangerous and squalid conditions of the UK Parliament estate, which is riddled with asbestos and mice, urging for the promised upgrade to proceed quickly.

Uruguay’s foreign minister Mario Lubetkin appeared before Parliament’s Permanent Commission after an opposition-led interpellation focused on the government’s stance on Venezuela, a Taiwan-related line included in a joint statement with China, and the lack of clarity over US immigration-visa restrictions affecting Uruguay.

Labour leader Keir Starmer is considering an Act of Parliament to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

An article reflects on the state of democracy in Cyprus, drawing on past experiences as a parliamentary reporter and expressing concerns about its future.

Taiwan’s parliament is set to prioritise review of a disputed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defence budget bill when its new session begins on Tuesday, as pressure mounts from Washington. But US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about consulting Chinese President Xi Jinping on arms sales could complicate the debate, potentially giving Taipei’s opposition parties greater room to manoeuvre and reshape the final version of the bill, according to analysts. The renewed push follow...

This article explores the phenomenon of teenage girls creating videos of middle-aged Members of Parliament.

The European Parliament has approved tougher rules against unfair trading practices in the agri-food chain and given the final green light to a wine package deal. The EU is also preparing for its first annual food dialogue and has appointed a rapporteur on organic farming.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her first parliamentary speech after a landslide victory, emphasized addressing Chinese 'coercion' and strengthening ties with the US.

She has passion, skills, knowledge and experience for the top, pledges to champion ‘Stop...

The Japanese government announced it will dispatch a parliamentary vice-minister from the Cabinet Office to the 'Takeshima Day' ceremony, organized by Shimane Prefecture and others, to be held on February 22.

The Japanese government has submitted a new fiscal year budget proposal totaling over 122.3 trillion yen to the parliament, marking the largest general account budget in history.

The Turkish Parliament has adopted the 'Terror-Free Türkiye Report,' marking a new phase in the government's counterterrorism efforts.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says current plans to refurbish the Palace of Westminster are "out of control".

A parliamentary aide has been arrested in France following the death of a far-right activist from brain injuries, with police investigating the incident.

Dr. Alawy, President Ruto's nominee for NLC chair, was previously rejected by Members of Parliament during former President Kenyatta's administration.

Eighth vote in just five years follows government resignation after weeks of protests over budget, alleged corruption.

Maiden Session of 13th Bangladesh New Parliament | New JS must meet within next 30 days  The Daily Star

Japan's special parliament session has convened, with Prime Minister Takaichi expected to be elected as the 105th Prime Minister in the afternoon and form her second cabinet tonight.

Victoria will launch a parliamentary inquiry into the role of the far-right 'manosphere' in a series of 'disturbing' homophobic attacks targeting gay and bisexual men lured via dating apps.

Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for disrupting parliamentary work.

The TTAP's sit-in protest has entered its fifth day, with blocked routes to Parliament House now cleared. The opposition alliance is currently deliberating its future course of action.

Parliaments serve diverse and often contradictory roles, supporting both democracies and autocracies, and representing both the wealthy and the working class.

Millions of voters in England, Scotland, and Wales are preparing for parliamentary and local elections in May, with a new guide explaining the voting process and key races.

A safer digital world has been on the agenda of the Turkish government for some time. Now, lawmakers seek to make it real through a string of measures. A draft bill, which will be...

Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Democratic Election was described as feeling real, though it was marred by four deaths at polling centers and the jailing of ten individuals for ballot manipulation and unrest.

France's 2026 budget finally passed the country's parliament, putting an end to months of deadlock. But for some, the bill marks the end of President Macron's pro-business policies.

Campaigning has officially commenced for Nepal's upcoming parliamentary election, marking the first national vote since a series of deadly anti-corruption protests led to significant political upheaval. Candidates are now engaging with voters ahead of next month's polls.

Italian ambassadors are actively engaged in various diplomatic efforts worldwide, including visits to Canada, meetings in Estonia, cultural greetings in Vietnam, archaeological visits in Iraq, legal cooperation with Brazil, support for a Ghanaian striker, economic cooperation in Ukraine, aid delivery in Mozambique, hospital visits in Argentina, and participation in a start-up program in Tunisia.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan underwent an eye examination, a process his party, PTI, has labeled as 'malicious'.

The European Parliament's Trade Committee is meeting to finalize positions, with the PPE, Socialists, and Liberals expected to vote against a key tariff agreement with the US, potentially paralyzing the pact.

The Women's Reservation Act, a constitutional promise, is being tied to delimitation, which critics argue delays its implementation and fails Indian women.

With one month remaining until the Slovenian parliamentary elections, the first major debate featuring presidents of eight parties is scheduled to take place in Koper.

Kovács Gergely, president of the Two-Tailed Dog Party, argues that if his party enters parliament, it would result in fewer Fidesz members, responding to questions about why the party should run when 100-300 thousand people want to vote for them.

Citizens gathered in front of the Parliament of Montenegro to protest a new law on infectious disease protection that mandates child vaccination as a condition for preschool enrollment.

A new bill in the Romanian Parliament proposes to ban children under 15 from having social media accounts and to suspend existing accounts below this age limit, as well as prohibiting phones during school hours, to protect minors from social media risks.

Animal protection associations are protesting in front of the Parliament in Romania following a scandal involving a dog shelter in Suraia commune, Vrancea county, with participants holding signs like 'Dogs are not merchandise'.

Parliament is steeped in history, but too many parts of the estate are dangerous and squalid. The promised upgrade can’t come a minute too soon Kemi Badenoch, mid-TV interview with Robert Peston at the House of Commons recently, was embarrassingly upstaged by a mouse. Just another day in a parliament building not fit for purpose. Last week, a critical meeting between the prime minister and his more than 400 MPs plus assorted peers (who total another 800) happened in a room only big enough to ...

The European Parliament's special rapporteur, Thomas Waitz, emphasized the urgent need for political will from both North Macedonia and Bulgaria to resolve the stalemate in EU integration, citing concerns over potential bilateral blockades.

Belgian MEP Van Overtveldt (N-VA) is facing an internal investigation by the European Parliament's Union Syndicale (USPE) over allegations of 'humiliating and degrading' behavior.

A former Conservative British Member of Parliament, Jack Lopresti, an Afghanistan veteran, has announced he has joined Ukraine's Azov Brigade, one of the country's most recognized and formidable fighting units.

The leadership of all Romanian Courts of Appeal has formally requested President Nicușor Dan to send back to Parliament for re-examination a law concerning special pensions for magistrates.

The German far-right party AfD is facing accusations of representing Russian interests in parliament, with critics suggesting their questions align with those of Vladimir Putin.

A Member of Parliament has held discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani regarding the integration of Yazidi fighters into official Iraqi security structures.

Salahuddin: New parliament may go into session by March 12  Dhaka Tribune

Margit Wachberger, head of the General Procurator's Office in Austria, has firmly rejected the idea of federal prosecutors being elected by parliament, calling it an 'absolute no-go' as the Justice Ministry prepares a draft law.

Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ) has submitted more than 4,000 parliamentary inquiries to the government, averaging 14 written questions per day over 250 working days. A significant number of these inquiries, 794, were related to COVID-19 topics on a single day.

Members of Parliament from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) have condemned the unacceptable hate speech directed at Ana Leković, emphasizing the need to punish those who attack a woman's dignity for expressing political views.

Tirana police have initiated proceedings against MPs Flamur Noka and Xhelal Mziu following clashes during an opposition protest that moved from the Prime Minister's office to Parliament, after two citizens filed complaints.

Türkiye has made progress in the disarmament of the terrorist group PKK after a parliamentary committee agreed upon the guidelines for Parliament in the terror-free Türkiye initiat...

Irish Members of European Parliament express optimism for reducing the country's high electricity prices, proposing solutions such as 'energy highways' and increased wind power generation.

Residents of Novi Sad marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Svetozar Miletić, a prominent lawyer, politician, member of parliament, mayor, and writer.

Former Conservative security minister Tom Tugendhat has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the connections between Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson, and Jeffrey Epstein.

The Estonian Nationalists and Conservatives (ERK) has decided to merge with the Estonian Freedom Party – Farmers Assembly (EVP-PL).

An act of Parliament would be required to remove the former prince.

Cyprus's political landscape is undergoing significant upheaval, setting the stage for a fierce battle over seats in the new House of Representatives and intense internal party contests.

Türkiye has made progress in the disarmament of the terrorist group PKK after a parliamentary committee agreed upon the guidelines for Parliament in the terror-free Türkiye initiat...

Parliament rejects proposal by Ministry of Sports to raise budget for hosting the tournament.

The Alba Party, led by Kenny MacAskill, is facing an 'immediate crisis' and is unlikely to be able to register candidates for the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

Speaker of Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş announced that Türkiye has crossed a critical threshold in its ongoing efforts to achieve a 'terror-free Türkiye'.

Venezuela's parliament has passed a bill to grant amnesty to individuals detained under previous regimes, though human rights groups are calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners, citing the bill's limited scope.

A parliamentary subcommittee, led by the ruling party, has approved a bill to prevent presidential pardons for individuals convicted of insurrection.

A Tunisian Member of Parliament has been sentenced to eight months in jail for social media posts that mocked the president's handling of recent floods.

REPORTS on the attendance of parliamentarians during sessions almost invariably evoke much interest among citizens. Although the average attendance in the National Assembly has been hovering around 60 per cent for the last many years and the citizenry seems to have made its peace with that, there are statistics which sometimes shock the people. For example, a Fafen report on parliamentarians’ attendance during the 23rd National Assembly session held from Jan 12 to Jan 22 this year indicates that 47 or 14pc members remained absent throughout the session and didn’t attend even a single sitting; 276 or 83pc of the total 332 members skipped at least one session. Similar statistics about the 22nd session indicate that about 70pc of the absent members didn’t seek prior leave from the House. The system of taking attendance is such that a person marked present might not have been there throughout the sitting and his/her presence for even a fraction of the sitting may be marked as present. Given the fact that the average duration of a sitting ranges from two to three hours (it was two hours during the first year of the present National Assembly), a member attending the sitting may have been present only for a few minutes. The absence of members from a sitting significantly impacts parliamentary proceedings. Our parliamentary system requires the presence of at least 25pc of the total members which constitutes the quorum. The Assembly proceedings are stopped after a member points out a lack of quorum and the subsequent head count confirms that the minimum required members are not present. A Pildat report indicates that during the past (15th) National Assembly, lack of quorum was pointed out in 105 (23pc) of sittings, and subsequently, 72 or 16pc of the sittings had to be adjourned on this basis. The abrupt termination of a day’s proceedings impacts the productivity of the Assembly as the day’s agenda (order of the day) is left incomplete. During the five years of the 15th National Assembly, on average, less than 50pc (49.47pc to be exact) of the agenda items could be taken up by the Assembly. Ministers’ absence also impacts the quality of proceedings and some of the agenda items have to be deferred because the relevant minister is not present. During the 23rd session of the current Assembly, for example, 29 federal ministers were supposed to answer members’ questions but a majority (19) of them did not show up on the day allocated for answering questions relating to their ministries. In most cases, the absence of the minister concerned deprives members of the opportunity to ask supplementary questions. Simi­larly, adjournment motions, privilege moti­ons and call-attention notices also require the presence of the minister concerned. The Speaker has repeatedly expressed displeasure at the frequent absence of ministers. Sometimes, ministers of state and parliamentary secretaries do not show up either to fill in for the minister concerned. Pakistan’s parliament is not the only one which faces issues of low attendance. Ministers generally take their cue from the prime minister and they are more likely to show up in the House if the PM is particular about his presence. During the life of the 15th Assembly, the attendance of the PM was a mere 13pc (11pc for Imran Khan and 17pc for Shehbaz Sharif). The attendance becomes more known through the media in the case of plenary sittings but the status of attendance is no different in the case of parliamentary committees. Many meetings are adjourned by the chair because the minister concerned and senior officials of the ministry do not show up at the meeting, leading to a wastage of financial resources spent on convening the meetings. However, one may add that Pakistan’s parliament is not the only one which faces issues of low attendance. Many parliaments face a similar situation and a number of parliaments have waived the condition of the presence of a minimum percentage of members for the validity of the proceedings. For example, the UK parliament and US Congress do not have a quorum requirement. The proceedings of the legislatures continue in these countries even if a single member is present in the House. In the case of the UK parliament, many parliamentary committees hold their meetings concurrently with the plenary. The proceedings of the plenary are watched by the members on CCTV while sitting in their offices or in meeting rooms. Members’ presence is required when a motion or a bill has to be voted on. Bells are rung at that time and members available within parliamentary precincts rush to the chamber to vote. The absence of a member from the precincts during the time of the plenary is, however, rare and frowned upon. A major reason for our legislators to be casual about their presence during the Assembly sittings has a lot to do with the preferences of a majority of their voters. Most voters are not so keen about their legislators’ performance in the Assembly. A member who works very hard on his parliamentary speeches and, for example, scrutiny of the annual budget, is seldom appreciated by the constituents. People want their elected representatives to attend to their personal issues, which need an influential legislator’s support for resolution due to poor governance. Finding jobs for constituents and their family members is one of the top expectations from legislators. Interceding with the local administration and police on behalf of the constituents to sort out their day-to-day problems is also among the informal responsibilities of legislators. Attending the weddings and funerals of voters’ extended families, too, is a strong preference of constituents. These informal chores are likely to be of greater help to a legislator in his re-election than making a speech in the House. The weak attendance of legislators is, therefore, not because of their lethargy. Instead, it is a reflection of the ground realities of our own governance and culture. The writer is president of the Pakistan-based think tank Pildat. X: @ABMPildat Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026

A man from Kota has been arrested after posting a video online threatening to shoot Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress Members of Parliament.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday strongly rejected media speculations regarding any “deal” between the government and incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. In a statement shared on X, Tarar said, “There is neither any deal nor any leniency for Imran.” He added that any impression of the government granting the ex-premier concessions was “entirely false and misleading”. “Imran Khan is a criminal convicted by courts, and the reports about leniency for him are baseless,” Tarar asserted. “There is no truth in these reports.” Imran, imprisoned since August 2023, is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case and was months ago convicted in another case regarding state gifts. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the protests of May 9, 2023. On Tuesday, Parliamentary Secretary Barrister Danyal Chaudhry also denied any kind of “deal” with Imran, claiming that the latter wanted a deal and concession since day one. “We are also ready for talks, but we will not accept any blackmail in this regard. The only reason for sending Imran Khan abroad for treatment can be that, God forbid, he may be suffering from a life-threatening disease that cannot be treated here,” he had said. His statement came amid concerns raised by the PTI about the party founder’s health after a report submitted to the Supreme Court quoted him as saying he had lost partial vision in his right eye due to an ailment. In January 2026, Sanaullah, then the Prime Minister’s adviser on political affairs, had said PTI leaders were seeking dialogue with the government but Imran opposed the move. More to follow

Bulgaria is set to hold early parliamentary elections on April 19, marking the eighth such election in five years, following weeks of protests and a government resignation.

Federal MPs in the UK have accepted free sports tickets from gambling companies like Tabcorp and Sportsbet, sparking calls to restrict wagering advertisements.

Turkish lawmakers have begun voting on a draft report from the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee of Parliament, aiming to disarm the PKK and advance a 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticizes the current plans to refurbish the Palace of Westminster as 'out of control,' calling for a reevaluation.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has expressed concerns that the current plans to refurbish the Palace of Westminster are 'out of control' and has called for a reevaluation.

BPJA slams media access curbs at 13th Parliament oath-taking ceremony  The Daily Star

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is open to resurrecting his parliamentary career if actively drafted by the Liberal party.

The Turkish Parliament’s National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee is meeting to guide the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative, ahead of a crucial report.

The international community's response to the recent Bangladesh election results is being analyzed, with various countries and organizations weighing in on the outcome.

Anna Psarouda-Benaki, lawyer, the first woman to preside over the Academy of Athens and the Greek Parliament, has died at 91, it was announced on Sunday. Psarouda-Benaki was born in Athens in 1934, and married to historian of philosophy Linos Benakis. She studied at the Athens Law School (University of Athens) and continued her studies […] The post Greece’s first female Parliament Speaker passes away at 91 appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.

Members of Parliament and the new cabinet in Bangladesh are scheduled to take their oaths at the South Plaza on Tuesday.

Bangladesh's 13th National Election on February 12 saw significant voter participation, including first-time voters, and reports of irregularities. The BNP emerged victorious, leading to the swearing-in of new MPs and calls for investigations into post-election violence.

Stakeholders have lauded proposed education reform bills, which are now set to proceed to Parliament for debate.

India's Lok Sabha is expected to consider a notice from the opposition against Speaker Om Birla on March 9. This development signals growing political tensions within the parliament.

India's Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be debated and voted on, amidst opposition challenges.

Malaysia's Parliament has passed legislation for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, bringing Malaysia and Singapore closer to launching a 5-minute cross-border train service with a high hourly passenger capacity.