France Faces Political Paralysis

France’s government has been thrown into turmoil following weeks of political gridlock. Prime Minister François Bayrou was ousted on 8 September after losing a confidence vote triggered by disputes over budget cuts and public spending.

His successor, Sébastien Lecornu, briefly made history for all the wrong reasons: his first government resigned just hours after its formation on 6 October, making it the shortest-lived cabinet in the history of the Fifth Republic.

President Emmanuel Macron swiftly reappointed Lecornu, who has since survived two narrow votes of no confidence. The Prime Minister now faces the formidable task of pushing the 2026 Budget through a fragmented National Assembly, where no party or bloc holds a majority. Lecornu has pledged not to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution—a controversial mechanism allowing governments to bypass parliament—raising doubts about his ability to maintain stability.

A failed budget vote could trigger yet another collapse of government and heighten pressure on Macron to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. This outcome could benefit Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. Investor confidence is already waning, with a sell-off in French bonds signalling mounting economic unease.

Japan Elects First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi / Cabinet Secretariat of Japan

Japan has appointed Sanae Takaichi as its first female Prime Minister, following her election by the National Diet with a decisive majority as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Takaichi, the country’s fourth Prime Minister in five years, will meet former U.S. President Donald Trump next week to discuss security and trade. Despite pledges to elevate female representation to Nordic levels, only two women have been named to her cabinet.

A self-described admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi espouses strong social conservatism, opposing same-sex marriage and the right for married women to retain their maiden names.

Takaichi’s premiership marks a symbolic milestone for gender representation in Japan, but early cabinet appointments raise questions about the depth of her commitment to reform. Her policies could redefine Japan’s position in global trade and security, particularly amid U.S.–China tensions.

Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain

Benjamin Netanyahu / U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders, U.S. Secretary of Defence

Tensions in Gaza are escalating after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to breaches of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, confirming that the IDF struck the enclave on 19 October with “153 tons of bombs.”

The Gaza government’s media office has alleged 80 Israeli violations since the ceasefire began on 10 October. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Israel on 21 October as humanitarian agencies reported that fewer than 90 aid trucks are entering Gaza daily—far below the promised 600.
The fragile truce risks total collapse, undermining regional stability and exposing divisions within the Biden administration over its Middle East policy.

Sudan Famine Deepens as Conflict Escalates

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Zam Zam camp outside El Fasher, Sudan: UN Photo/Tim McKulka.

Famine has officially spread into the besieged cities of El Fasher in Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured El Fasher after an 18-month siege, cutting off humanitarian corridors and leaving tens of thousands at extreme risk. Aid agencies warn that access has “collapsed completely” as fighting intensifies.

This marks a grave escalation of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, with severe political and regional implications. The RSF’s advance further weakens Sudan’s fragile governance, international donors face mounting pressure to intervene, and instability threatens to spill across borders into Chad and South Sudan.

Dutch Government Falls as Rob Jetten Set to Make History as First Openly Gay PM

In the Netherlands, the centrist-liberal party Democrats 66 (D66) has been confirmed by the Dutch news agency ANP as the largest party in the 29 October 2025 snap election, positioning its 38-year-old leader Rob Jetten to begin coalition talks. If successful, Jetten would become the country’s youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister.

While D66 has claimed victory, the final seat distribution is still being certified, and the process of coalition-building is expected to take months. The far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), led by Geert Wilders, suffered notable losses and is unlikely to play a role in the next government.

The result represents a significant setback for the far-right after a month of rising populist moments across Europe. However, the fragmented nature of the Dutch parliament ensures a difficult path ahead, with governing alliances requiring bipartisanship in an increasingly fractured political landscape.

Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Race

Zohran Mamdani at the Resist Fascism Rally in Bryant Park on Oct 27th 2024, via Wikimedia Commons

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has secured victory in the New York City mayoral election, signalling a progressive shift in local politics and consolidating his reputation as a prominent voice for housing and social justice reform. This coincides with wider democratic victories across the country: Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governorship as the state's first female governor; Mikie Sherrill secured the governorship in New Jersey as the state's first female Democratic governor. These wins collectively suggest a growing desire amongst voters for alternatives to Trump-era politics.

In Brief

Bolivia elects centre-right candidate Rodrigo Paz as president.
Poland threatens to arrest Vladimir Putin if he enters its airspace en route to Budapest for talks with Donald Trump.
Belize agrees to host asylum seekers en route to the United States.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a last-minute decision to attend COP30 in Brazil.
U.S. forces conduct large-scale counter-narcotics strikes in the Caribbean, condemned by Venezuela as a breach of sovereignty.
Jamaica reports that Hurricane Melissa caused damage equivalent to one-third of its GDP.
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 81.