# Democracy

Does 'constructive Euroscepticism' have a place in the EU?

Eurosceptic rhetoric has softened in the wake of Brexit but still allows questions of a less-than-perfect system.

9.8k

Jun 26th 2022, 7:30 AM

Larry Donnelly: Busting myths ahead of the referendum on allowing the Irish diaspora vote for the President

Our columnist addresses the news that a referendum to allow Irish diaspora to vote for a new Irish president to take place before 2024.

23.6k

Apr 16th 2022, 8:30 PM

Opinion: The drive for re-election is a major flaw of modern democracy

Caoimhín de Barra looks at democracy and asks if it prevents politicians from pushing for real change.

12.9k

Jan 23rd 2022, 7:30 AM

All time

# Belarus

Belarus mother of five jailed over ‘unsanctioned mass gatherings’

Volha Zalatar was arrested on the street when she was taking her 10-year-old daughter to music school.

45.5k

Dec 3rd 2021, 8:32 PM

Hong Kong organisers of Tiananmen Square vigil to disband amid crackdown

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was under investigation.

10.0k

Sep 25th 2021, 1:15 PM

# California

Dozens of candidates try to unseat California governor in 'recall election' - here's how it works

Most of the list of 40-odd challengers are Republicans.

18.6k

Sep 14th 2021, 8:47 AM

Hong Kong leader advocates retaliatory sanctions against West

Carrie Lam said the anti-foreign sanctions law should be adopted in Hong Kong through local legislation

23.3k

Aug 10th 2021, 8:20 AM

# Belarus

Belarus leader denies repression a year after disputed vote

President Alexander Lukashenko also promised to step down ‘very soon’ but would not say when exactly.

12.6k

Aug 9th 2021, 9:30 PM

Five Apple Daily execs arrested under Hong Kong security law

Police searched the newspaper’s offices in another move sparking concern about the future of the free press in the territory.

16.2k

Jun 17th 2021, 7:34 AM

Hong Kong’s Tiananmen museum shuts down amid investigation

Organisers of the June 4 Museum said they were seeking legal advice.

15.8k

Jun 2nd 2021, 6:59 AM

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai gets 14-month jail term over 2019 pro-democracy protest

The 73-year-old is currently serving a separate 14-month jail term for convictions related to other unauthorised rallies in 2019.

9.1k

May 28th 2021, 7:01 AM

# Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar generals in firm control after coup as US threatens sanctions

US President Joe Biden led the chorus of global outrage, calling for a quick restoration of democracy.

9.3k

Feb 2nd 2021, 7:25 AM

Opinion: Ireland has dropped rank on the global corruption index - we can and should do better

DCU’s John Devitt and Robert Gillanders say the country must control corruption if it is to protect more than just its international reputation.

17.4k

Jan 28th 2021, 4:29 PM

Opinion: Trump has been a disaster for democracy - he has laid the ground for fascism

Caoimhín De Barra looks at Trump’s legacy and the impact his presidency has had on democracy.

29.9k

Jan 8th 2021, 7:00 AM

Opinion: If an Electoral Commission is established, it faces a mammoth task

As plans continue for a new Register of Electors Bill, the Fianna Fáil senator says a Commission would face major challenges.

14.5k

Jan 7th 2021, 7:00 PM

Chileans vote overwhelmingly to replace their constitution

The vote came a year to the day after more than one million people thronged downtown Santiago amidst a wave of social unrest.

32.7k

Oct 26th 2020, 2:50 PM

Irish journalist: I spent the last five years covering Hong Kong, but then my visa was declined

Irish journalist Aaron Mc Nicholas has returned from the territory and here, he documents the daily challenges faced by journalists and other activists in a politically tense Hong Kong.

27.2k

Oct 1st 2020, 7:30 AM

# China

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to fight for seat in Hong Kong legislature

“We hope to let the world to know how we choose not to surrender, how we choose not to kowtow to China,” he said.

6.7k

Jul 20th 2020, 10:33 AM

# Protests

Explainer: Why is a new law in Hong Kong about the Chinese national anthem so controversial?

The law was approved by Hong Kong legislators on Thursday.

15.5k

Jun 6th 2020, 7:45 AM

Unrest returns to Hong Kong as politicians battle for key committee position

Hong Kong reopened in recent days after riding out the Covid-19 health emergency.

14.8k

May 8th 2020, 5:53 PM

# Coronavirus

Britain cancels its May local elections due to coronavirus outbreak

The Electoral Commission yesterday wrote to ministers warning of ‘real risks’ to holding the elections as planned on 7 May.

6.4k

Mar 13th 2020, 4:39 PM

# FG attack

'Barristers cannot discriminate': Bar Council responds to criticism of FF TD who advised Gerry Adams

In other #GE2020 news, Sinn Féin accused Mairéad McGuinness’ Auschwitz comments of revealing a ‘panic and desperation’.

56.7k

160

Updated Feb 7th 2020, 2:25 PM

# carrie lam

Hong Kong leader to 'listen humbly' after pro-democracy parties crush opposition at local elections

The Labour Party in Hong Kong attributed to the victory to the “sweat, blood and tears” of protesters.

16.4k

Nov 25th 2019, 7:03 AM

Hong Kong voters wait in hundred metre-long queues to cast their ballot in elections

One-third of registered voters had cast their ballot in the first five hours.

7.6k

Nov 24th 2019, 7:42 AM

US Senate angers China after it unanimously passes bill supporting democracy in Hong Kong

A measure banning the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets and other equipment that have been used by security forces was also approved.

8.5k

Nov 20th 2019, 7:06 AM

Why was there such a big fuss over 'Votegate' and what happens next?

There have been calls for a review of the voting system, but some TDs have said deputies simply need to follow the rules.

11.8k

Oct 26th 2019, 7:30 AM

# crisis

'Carrie Lam step down!': Chaotic scenes in Hong Kong legislature as hecklers shout down major speech

The speech by chief executive Carrie Lam was billed as an attempt to win hearts and minds after four months of seething pro-democracy protests.

9.3k

Oct 16th 2019, 7:34 AM

Hong Kong protesters march to US consulate to increase pressure on Beijing

Millions of Hong Kongers have protested in the past three months.

6.6k

Sep 9th 2019, 8:37 AM

Hong Kong police ban pro-democracy rally over fears of violence by protesters

It follows a return to violence during protests in the region last weekend.

5.4k

Aug 29th 2019, 7:17 AM

Hundreds of thousands attend another huge protest in Hong Kong

Weeks of demonstrations have plunged the city into crisis.

16.1k

Aug 18th 2019, 5:35 PM

'We wouldn’t like to see Tiananmen Square happen again' - Hong Kong citizens in Ireland on why they support the protests

Hong Kongers in Ireland believe there is no end in sight for protesters.

13.4k

Aug 17th 2019, 9:30 PM

'If we stop now, things will only get worse': More mass protests take place in Hong Kong

Rival pro-democracy and pro-government demonstrations were held in the city today.

8.1k

Aug 17th 2019, 5:47 PM

# a costly lesson

Bertie Ahern worried Ireland was 'a laughing stock with our stupid old pencils', so why was e-voting never introduced?

The history of e-voting in Ireland is a long, winding, costly saga.

35.6k

Jun 2nd 2019, 10:00 PM

Irish people are split over whether we should have another go at e-voting

Fewer than half of poll respondents thought it was a good idea.

22.2k

Jun 1st 2019, 7:01 AM

Opinion: Directly elected mayors would be good for democracy

Citizens of some cities will vote on Friday as to whether to introduce a directly elected mayor – the move would boost local government, writes Deiric Ó Broin .

10.7k

May 21st 2019, 7:00 AM