Prospects for free media in South Africa are bleak

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chief Operating Officer ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Broadcaster ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
Nationalist Sentiment ◽  
Free Media

Significance The public broadcaster may appeal the ruling through the courts. Opposition parties have long bemoaned the dire state of the SABC, but recent controversial moves by Chief Operating Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng are dividing the ANC itself. Impacts Social media will feature prominently in political parties' communication strategies ahead of municipal elections in August. Motsoeneng's ban on airing footage of demonstrations will not boost ANC support in protest-wrought Pretoria, where the DA has a clear lead. However, his requirement that 90% of music broadcast must be locally produced will stoke nationalist sentiment. Any major shift in SABC policy -- at least in the short term -- would have to be forced on the broadcaster through court orders.

An “adhocracy” of stakeholders, the case of ADSA in France (Essonne)

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillipe Naszalyi ◽  
Arnaud Slama-Royer
Keyword(s):  
Free Market ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Hybrid Management ◽  
French Association

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the structural problems emerging in the course of managing and safeguarding a French association for home care to a thousand elderly or disabled people between 2007 and 2012, employing 150 - 190 people and on the verge of bankruptcy. In France, small local businesses not only compete with major capital outlets in this sector but also with associations of varying size and origin. Free market rules apply, under the legislation of 2003, to what is, in part, “competition free”, being “in the public interest” and within the framework of local and national public funding. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses those pragmatic solutions put in place to meet the aim of shared governance and in the context of a generalized financial crisis. Findings – Borrowing from cooperatives and associations, the non-profit-based management structure the authors arrived at, including worker participation in the decision-making processes, raises questions for researchers as to the advisability of any short-term models and the validity of present social and supportive economic models. Originality/value – The hybrid management of this paper is offered as a working model in what the authors have termed an “adhocracy of stakeholders”.

New Sierra Leone president faces raised expectations

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Political Pressure ◽  
Election Cycle ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People's Party ◽  
Relative Independence ◽  
Post War ◽  
People's Congress

Subject Sierra Leone's new president Significance Julius Maada Bio of the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) was elected as Sierra Leone's new president on April 4. According to the National Electoral Commission, Maada Bio secured 51.8% of votes cast to defeat Samura Kamara of the ruling All People's Congress (APC). Despite pockets of election-related violence and disputes over some results, the peaceful transfer of power represents the second democratic transition between political parties in the post-war period. Impacts The new parliament could offer greater legislative scrutiny than in recent years. Sporadic election-related violence, often ethno-regional, is likely to subside in the short term. Despite intense political pressure, courts showed relative independence during the election cycle.

Guinea unrest is not yet a threat to stability

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
The Military

Significance Recent demonstrations focused on the government’s failure to hold long-delayed municipal elections and voiced frustration with dysfunctional service delivery and deteriorating socio-economic conditions. As a result, President Alpha Conde has unveiled a new electoral code which could allow elections to be held in 2018. Impacts Conde’s grip on the military should ensure short-term stability. Modest growth is unlikely to lead to broader job creation and improvements in public service delivery. Protests in mining communities will persist over jobs and social services.

State taxes rise to cope with recession in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Networks ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Electricity Distribution ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Taxes ◽  
The Poor ◽  
State Taxes

Significance The agency noted the likelihood of a worsening debt position and that 'challenging political dynamics' limit prospects for fiscal reform. Meanwhile, state governments have raised taxes on consumption, further crimping short-term economic recovery. In a context of rising unemployment and declining spending, increasing taxation offers another constraint on local businesses, which rely on the sluggish domestic market. Impacts To avoid hitting the poor, tax hikes target non-essential consumer goods, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and electronics. However, they also affect electricity distribution and communication providers, including mobile networks and cable. Cities and towns may also raise local taxes on property and services, but only after the 2016 municipal elections.

Belarus's healthcare will be key political asset

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Recession ◽  
The Political ◽  
Healthcare Financing ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
Constitutional Right ◽  
Satisfactory State ◽  
Political Leverage

Significance For Belarusian citizens, access to healthcare is a constitutional right. Consequently, any attempted reforms that would involve a major shift to commercialisation will have serious political consequences. Impacts The generally satisfactory state of the healthcare system means that the opposition will be unable to use it for political leverage. Should Belarus's economic recession force the authorities to limit healthcare financing, the political consequences will be very serious. Budgetary spending on healthcare will remain high in the short term and is likely to grow as Lukashenka seeks to avoid public discontent.

South Africa's Ramaphosa will stress reform momentum

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Enterprises ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Finance Minister

Significance This included the retention of key officials such as Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. While Ramaphosa has committed his administration to reform, a still-large executive and several lacklustre appointments highlight the fragile hold he has over the ruling ANC. Impacts Post-poll turmoil in the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) could provide Ramaphosa with a freer hand at parliament in the short term. The appointment of Patricia de Lille could precede the eventual merging of her GOOD party with the ANC. Pressure will grow for the public protector's ouster after several disputed reports and damaging court findings against her.

Parties will raise Turkish voters' economic hopes

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Finance ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Markets ◽  
Minimum Wage ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
People's Party ◽  
The Public

Subject Parties' pre-election promises on the economy. Significance Opposition parties contesting the June 7 general election are seeking to benefit from the economy's weakness by bringing back the generous campaign pledges that were the stock-in-trade of leading politicians in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. For example, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is promising much larger benefits for pensioners, and a 50% increase in the minimum wage. It is also proposing tax-free fuel for farmers, ending sub-contracted labour in the public sector, additional job creation and social assistance schemes, and writing off 80% of credit card debt for the poorest consumers. Impacts Global conditions permitting, the election could contribute to a short-term recovery in consumer demand. Financial markets will pay closer attention to public finance indicators in the months ahead. In the event of a resolution or softening of Turkey's ideological divisions, the importance of electoral 'carrots' could increase.

Brazil's local elections constrain national politics

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
National Politics ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Democratic Movement ◽  
Business Elite ◽  
Electoral Support ◽  
General Elections

Subject Local elections and national politics. Significance Interim President Michel Temer is impeded not only by his interim status but also by local elections due in October. Politicians may fear losing further electoral support if they side with Temer and his Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) if he is unable to tackle major problems in the short term, particularly unemployment. Impacts The business elite will side with Temer and the PMDB, but other parties will offer muted support if the economic crisis is not addressed. However, failure to ease the crisis could benefit the Workers' Party, which conversely stands to lose if Temer is successful. Parties will prioritise municipal elections over national issues to boost their position before the 2018 general elections.

Paraguay party presidency may prove pyrrhic victory

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governing Body ◽  
Local Party ◽  
Pyrrhic Victory

Subject Colorado Party splits and the outlook for re-election. Significance Ahead of municipal elections on November 15, all political parties selected their candidates on July 26. The 2.2 million registered members of the ruling Colorado Party also elected its governing body, the leaders of its 455 local party branches and representatives to its party conventions. Pedro Alliana, the chosen candidate of President Horacio Cartes, was voted in as new party president. Impacts Cartes appears to be laying the groundwork for a constitutional amendment and re-election bid. However, he will find it difficult to carry his party with him. The Colorados themselves may derail much of Cartes's legislative and business agenda.

COVID-19 raises Dominican election doubts

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Political Tension ◽  
Revolutionary Party ◽  
Voting System

Subject Election troubles. Significance Voters on March 15 returned to the polls for a rerun of municipal elections, controversially suspended on February 16 as a result of problems with the new automated voting system. The opposition had accused the incumbent government of delaying the vote for fear of defeat. Ultimately, the opposition Partido Revolucionario Moderno (Modern Revolutionary Party, PRM) performed strongly, taking more than half of the country’s 158 municipalities. All parties are gearing up for legislative and presidential elections on May 17, in an environment of heightened political tension. Impacts International election observers will play a key role in attesting the credibility of this week’s results. While the public will be understanding of a short election delay, a prolonged suspension may begin to foster unrest. A COVID-19 outbreak in Haiti could have devastating consequences there, leading to prolonged border closures.

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