2010s in Europe

Events from the 2010s decade in Europe Events from the decade 2010s in Europe. International events in Europe December 2024 The 2010s in Europe saw the rise in nationalist far right populist parties in many nations. Sweden: The nationalist Sweden Democrats entered the Swedish parliament for the first time in the 2010 Swedish general election. France: The far right obtained representatives in the Assembly for the first time since the 1997 election, The National Rally wins two seats in the 2012 legislative election.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-17/anti-euro-le-pen-party-wins-first-parliament-seats-in-15-years Anti-Euro Le Pen Party Wins First Parliament Seats in 15 Years Bloomberg Businessweek Fouquet Helene 17 June 2012 30 June 2012 21 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120621031255/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-17/anti-euro-le-pen-party-wins-first-parliament-seats-in-15-years dead Germany: The Alternative for Germany (AfD), which was previously unrepresented in the Bundestag, became the third largest party in the Bundestag with 12.6% of the vote in the 2017 German federal election. It was the first time since 1957 that a party to the political right of the CDU/CSU gained seats in the Bundestag. Spain: The far-right Vox party entered Congress for the first time in 2019 Spanish general election. Vox's result signalled the first time since Blas Piñar's election as a deputy for the National Union coalition in 1979 that a far-right party had won seats in the Spanish Parliament after the country's return to democracy as well as the first time that a far-right party would be able to form a parliamentary group of its own in the Congress of Deputies.29 April 2019 https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20190429/elecciones-generales-2019-el-psoe-lidera-espana-7429988 El PSOE lidera España El Periódico de Catalunya Spanish 4 May 201930 April 2019 https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20190502/461989277260/vox-resultados-barrios-madrid.html Vox no triunfa en el Madrid acomodado y pincha en los barrios obreros La Vanguardia es 4 May 2019 Portugal:The right-wing/far-right party CHEGA (CH) elected an MP from Lisbon in the 2019 Portuguese legislative election. It was the first time since the return to democracy 45 years that a right-wing/far-right party gained representation in Parliament.Fernandes Jorge M. Magalhães Pedro C. 2020-01-08 The 2019 Portuguese general elections West European Politics 43 4 1038–1050 10.1080/01402382.2019.1702301 213943550 0140-2382"Entrada de extrema-direita no Parlamento “deve alarmar partidos”", Público, 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019. History by country Albania The 2011 Albanian opposition demonstrations were a series of anti-government protests in cities around Albania following 18 months of political conflict over alleged electoral fraud by the opposition. Demonstrations were called for by parliamentary opposition parties, which include the Socialist Party and the Unity for Human Rights Party. The public outcry resulted in the resignation of the deputy prime minister. On 21 January, a protest in Tirana led to the killings of three demonstrators by the Republican Guard during a rally in front of Prime Minister Sali Berisha office, while fourth person died several days later. Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 23 June 2013.Country Profile: Albania http://electionguide.org/country.php?ID=3 5 July 2013 IFES Election Guide The result was a victory for the Alliance for a European Albania led by the Socialist Party and its leader, Edi Rama.Robinson Matt 25 June 2013 Albanians hand Socialists a landslide, wait on PM to concede Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-albania-election-idUSBRE95O10E20130625 5 July 2013 Incumbent prime minister Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party-led Alliance for Employment, Prosperity and Integration conceded defeat on 26 June,26 June 2013 Berisha jep dorëheqjen Top Channel http://www.top-channel.tv/artikull.php?id=259537 7 July 2013 widely viewed as a sign of growing democratic maturity in Albania.Koleka Benet 26 June 2013 Albanian leader concedes defeat, soothes fears of poll dispute Yahoo http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/albanian-pm-berisha-concedes-election-defeat-182153888.html dead 5 July 2013 https://archive.today/20130628040908/http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/albanian-pm-berisha-concedes-election-defeat-182153888.html 28 June 2013 The 2017 Albanian opposition protests were a series of anti-government protests, largely in Tirana, which centered around government corruption, the illicit drug situation in Albania,Albania: Europe's cannabis paradise - Europe - DW - 02.01.2017 http://www.dw.com/en/albania-europes-cannabis-paradise/a-36983338 DW.COM fear of electoral fraud in the parliamentary elections, and alleged manipulation of the voting process by the Socialist government.18 February 2017 Albanian protesters rally, pitch tent to demand free elections U.S. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-albania-opposition-protests/albanian-protesters-rally-pitch-tent-to-demand-free-elections-idUSKBN15X0OI Reuters23 February 2017 Albania Opposition Ignores EU Call to End Protests http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-opposition-continue-the-protest-amid-eu-disapproval-02-23-2017 They were followed by the 2019 protests calling for the cancellation of the 2019 Albanian local elections, fresh elections, resignation of prime minister Edi Rama and his entire cabinet and the installation of a new technocrat government.9 July 2019 Protesters in Albania again demand Prime Minister Rama quit Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/protesters-in-albania-again-demand-prime-minister-rama-quit/a-49518402 DW News Austria In the 2013 legislative election the Social Democratic Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party lost 5 seats and 4 seats, respectively, but with a total of 99 seats they remained in majority. On 14 October 2013 the two parties began government formation talks with each other, which resulted in the grand coalition of the Second Faymann government that was appointed by President of Austria Heinz Fischer. On 17 May 2016, it was succeeded by the Kern government, following Faymann's resignation amidst the 2016 presidential election. The First Kurz government was formed after the 2017 legislative election. Sebastian Kurz, chairman of the centre-right Austrian People's Party, known by its initials in German as ÖVP, reached an agreement on a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), setting the stage for Kurz to become chancellor of Austria—the youngest head of government in Europe—for the first time.18 December 2017 Kurz Set to Become Austrian Chancellor, Backed by Nationalists Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-17/kurz-set-to-become-austrian-chancellor-backed-by-nationalists 18 December 2017 The Ibiza affair was a political scandal in Austria involving Heinz-Christian Strache, the former vice chancellor of Austria and leader of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), and Johann Gudenus, a deputy leader of the Freedom Party. The scandal caused the collapse of the Austrian governing coalition on 18 May 2019 and the announcement of an early election.Austria chancellor calls for snap election after corruption scandal https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48320983 live https://web.archive.org/web/20190518210930/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48320983 18 May 2019 18 May 2019 BBC News 18 May 2019 Bennhold Katrin Schuetze Christopher F. 18 May 2019 Austrian Leader Calls for Snap Election After Far-Right Vice Chancellor Resigns en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/world/europe/austria-strache-resigns-video.html live limited 18 May 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190518210121/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/18/world/europe/austria-strache-resigns-video.html 18 May 2019 0362-4331 Belarus The 2010 Belarusian protests were mass protest actions in Belarus against the results of the 2010 Belarusian presidential election, which took place on December 19, 2010, and were brutally dispersed. Between 10,000 and 60,000 people took part in the protest on October Square and Independence Square in Minsk. These were followed by the 2011 Belarusian protests. The 2017 Belarusian protests also followed later. Belgium Following the Belgian general election held on 13 June 2010, a process of cabinet formation started in Belgium. The election produced a very fragmented political landscape, with 11 parties elected to the Chamber of Representatives, none of which won more than 20% of the seats. The Flemish-Nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the largest party in Flanders and the country as a whole, controlled 27 of 150 seats in the lower chamber. The Francophone Socialist Party (PS), the largest in Wallonia, controlled 26 seats. Cabinet negotiations continued for a long time. On 1 June 2011, Belgium matched the record for time taken to form a new democratic government after an election, at 353 days, held until then by Cambodia in 2003–2004.30 March 2011 La Belgique sans gouvernement: le Cambodge a fait mieux http://www.lecho.be/nieuws/archief/La_Belgique_sans_gouvernement-_le_Cambodge_-____a_fait_mieux-.9039159-1802.art?highlight=cambodge&ckc=1 L'Echo 4 April 2011 On 11 October 2011, the final agreement for institutional reform was presented to the media. A government coalition was named on 5 December 2011 and sworn in after a total of 541 days of negotiations and formation on 6 December 2011,6 December 2011 New government sworn in at Laken Castle FlandersNews.be http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/news/111206_oath dead http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20111207192549/http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/news/111206_oath 7 December 2011 and 589 days without an elected governmentBelgium ends record-breaking government-free run. CNN, 2011-12-06. with Elio Di Rupo named Prime Minister of the Di Rupo I Government. It was the first time that the Belgian prime minister had been openly gay, as Di Rupo became the world's first male openly gay head of government (and second of any gender, after Iceland's Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir).Jackson Patrick Profile: Belgium's Elio Di Rupo BBC News 2 December 2011 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15983739 8 December 2011 Elio Di Rupo also became the first native French-speaking prime minister since 1979 and the first prime minister from Wallonia since 1974 and first socialist prime minister since 1974. The Michel I Government was the Federal Government of Belgium formed following the 2014 Belgian government formation and sworn in on 11 October 2014. The administration was a centre-right coalition of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V), the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) and the Reformist Movement (MR). The prime minister was Charles Michel. The government had an agenda of socio-economic reforms, especially through austerity measures, with its priorities being improving Belgium's economic competitiveness and reducing unemployment. It fell in December 2018 over the Global Compact for Migration. It was followed by the Michel II Government as a centre minority coalition cabinet of Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V), the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) and the Reformist Movement (MR). On 26 October 2019, it was announced that Sophie Wilmès would take over the role of prime minister from Michel on 1 November 2019, and form a new government as the first ever female prime minister of Belgium.26 October 2019 Sophie Wilmès (MR) wordt nieuwe premier in lopende zaken: "Alles aan doen om de stabiliteit te verzekeren" Dutch Sophie Wilmès (MR) to become new Prime Minister of caretaker cabinet: "Give it all to ensure stability" vrt.be https://vrtnws.be/p.L7kpLY49v 27 October 2019 Premierships Charles Michel Michel_I_Government#Policies and events Bosnia and Herzegovina Following the general election on 3 October 2010, a process of formation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Council of Ministers had begun. The resulting election produced a fragmented political landscape without a coalition of a parliamentary majority more than a year after the election. The centre-left Social Democratic Party, the largest party in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Bosnian Serb autonomist Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, the largest party in Republika Srpska, each had 8 MPs of the total 42 MPs of the House of Representatives (28 from the Federation and 14 from Republika Srpska). Similarly, a crisis of government was also present at the local levels, as well as the Federal entity. In late 2011, the Council of Ministers (i.e. the national government) had been solved, however the country remained in a situation of perpetual political crisis, especially the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After months of dysfunction and arguments about legality, the entity's short-lived Federal Government had collapsed in February 2013. The 2014 unrest in Bosnia and Herzegovina was a series of demonstrations and riots that began in the northern town of Tuzla on 4 February 2014 but quickly spread to multiple cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Sarajevo, Zenica, Mostar, Jajce, and Brčko,8 February 2014 Oko 50 ljudi okupilo se na protestima u Prijedoru About 50 people gathered to protest in Prijedor http://www.avaz.ba/vijesti/iz-minute-u-minutu/oko-50-ljudi-okupilo-se-na-protestima-u-prijedoru dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140221132329/http://www.avaz.ba/vijesti/iz-minute-u-minutu/oko-50-ljudi-okupilo-se-na-protestima-u-prijedoru 21 February 2014 8 February 2014 Avaz Bosnian BA9 February 2014 Mirni protesti u Bijeljini Peaceful protests in Bijeljina http://www.haber.ba/vijesti/bih/74165-mirni-protesti-u-bijeljini-foto.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140222151818/http://www.haber.ba/vijesti/bih/74165-mirni-protesti-u-bijeljini-foto.html 22 February 2014 9 February 2014 Haber Croatian BA among others, for social reasons and with the aim of overthrowing the government.7 February 2014 Thousands turn out for second day of Bosnian anti-government protests http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/06/thousands-turn-out-for-second-day-of-anti-government-protests-in-bosnia/ 7 February 2014 EuroNews 7 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140207164325/http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/06/thousands-turn-out-for-second-day-of-anti-government-protests-in-bosnia/ dead7 February 2014 Dismal outlook in Bosnia prompts violent protest http://www.dw.de/dismal-outlook-in-bosnia-prompts-violent-protest/a-17415567 7 February 2014 DW DE The riots were the most violent scenes the country had seen since the end of the Bosnian War in 1995.10 February 2014 Solidarity with the workers and youth of Bosnia and Hercegovina! US and EU hands off Bosnia! http://www.eek.gr/index.php/englishtext/79-articles/englishtext/2369-rakovsky-center-declaration-on-bosnia-solidarity-with-the-workers-and-youth-of-bosnia-and-hercegovina-us-and-eu-hands-off-bosnia Rakovsky Center 25 November 2021 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234037/http://www.eek.gr/index.php/englishtext/79-articles/englishtext/2369-rakovsky-center-declaration-on-bosnia-solidarity-with-the-workers-and-youth-of-bosnia-and-hercegovina-us-and-eu-hands-off-bosnia dead The rioting largely took place in the entity of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the same level of unrest or activism did not occur in Republika Srpska.10 February 2014 Who is behind Bosnia's riots? Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/02/who-behind-bosnia-riots-201429132930915905.html Bulgaria Following the 2013 Bulgarian protests against the Borisov cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov over government austerity measures encouraged by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund during the recession10 October 2012 ITUC Frontlines Report 2012: Section on Bulgaria http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=144010 10 October 2012 Novinite and high utility bills, the Borisov government resigned and brought forward the Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2013, which saw a very low voter turnout.Kotseva, Antonia 30 December 2013 Събитията от 2013 г., които ще оставят белези bg novinite.bg http://novinite.bg/articles/59871/Sabitiyata-ot-2013-g-koito-shte-ostavyat-belezi 22 November 2015 Though Borisov's party Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) won a plurality with 97 deputies in the National Assembly, it could not form a government and gave up its mandate. The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) led the government under technocratic prime minister Plamen Oresharski.Nekov 2013 391 The left-wing government of Plamen Oresharski was approved by the 120 members of the BSP and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. 2nd LD Writethru: Bulgarian parliament elects new governmentchinadaily.com.cn http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2013-05-29/content_9172065.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020201/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2013-05-29/content_9172065.html 3 December 2013 16 November 2013 Outside support to the Oresharski Government was also given by nationalist party Ataka,Mass rallies grip Bulgarian politics http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/11/mass-rallies-grip-bulgarian-politics-20131116145545504800.html 5 July 2015 dubbed by some sources as the "hidden coalition partner",24 July 2014 Тежката равносметка за годината на "Орешарски", протести, скандали, трудно работещ парламент.... bg Bulgariautre.bg http://www.bulgaria.utre.bg/2014/07/24/245496-tezhkata_ravnosmetka_za_godinata_na_oresharski 26 August 2014 or Siderov's "golden finger",Smilov, Daniel 12 June 2020 Протестите от 14 юни 2013: да видим каква е България седем години по-късно bg dw.com https://www.dw.com/bg/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D1%82-14-%D1%8E%D0%BD%D0%B8-2013-%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B5-%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BC-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D1%8A%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%BE/a-53786963 11 July 2020 and regarded as a key instrument for allowing the Parliament to proceed with its functions,Nekov 2013 46 until June 2014.11 June 2014 Сидеров поиска незабавна оставка на кабинета и избори на 20 юли (видео + обновена) bg novini.bg http://www.novini.bg/news/209224-%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-20-%D1%8E%D0%BB%D0%B8-(%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0).html dead 15 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140614161800/http://www.novini.bg/news/209224-%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%BD%D0%B0-20-%D1%8E%D0%BB%D0%B8-%28%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0%29.html 14 June 2014 Croatia Croatia finished accession (membership) negotiations on 30 June 2011 and signed the Treaty of Accession on 9 December 2011, setting it on course to become the bloc's 28th member state. A referendum on the EU accession of the Republic of Croatia was held on 22 January 2012. The EU accession referendum passed with 66.27% votes cast in support, 33.13% against the proposed joining of the EU and 0.60% invalid or blank votes; it also passed in all Croatian counties. The ratification process was concluded on 21 June 2013, and entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU took place on 1 July 2013.27 June 2011 EU Summit: Accession Treaty with Croatia to be signed in 2011 http://www.eu2011.hu/news/eu-summit-accession-treaty-croatia-be-signed-2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110630191705/http://www.eu2011.hu/news/eu-summit-accession-treaty-croatia-be-signed-2011 30 June 2011 30 June 2011 eu2011.hu France Presidents François Hollande Emmanuel Macron Germany Chancellors Angela Merkel Hungary thumb|right|Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán The Őszöd speech which was followed by mass protests led Fidesz to winning a supermajority in the 2010 election. In 2011, the new Hungarian constitution was adopted in the parliament and in 2012 it became effective, although it was subject to controversies due to its consolidation of power to Fidesz. The party's majority of seats remained after the 2014 election, and following the escalation of the migrant crisis, Fidesz began using right-wing populist and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Fidesz won again in the 2018 election. Because of Orbán's curtailing of press freedom, erosion of judicial independence and undermining of multiparty democracy, many political scientists and watchdogs consider Hungary to have experienced democratic backsliding during Orbán's tenure.Lee Frances E. 3 September 2019 Populism and the American Party System: Opportunities and Constraints Perspectives on Politics 18 2 371 10.1017/s1537592719002664 1537-5927 freeWhat to do when Viktor Orban erodes democracy The Economist https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21723835-europe-has-tools-make-autocrat-back-down-what-do-when-viktor-orban-erodes-democracy 17 December 2017Kingsley Patrick 10 February 2018 As West Fears the Rise of Autocrats, Hungary Shows What's Possible The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/world/europe/hungary-orban-democracy-far-right.html 10 February 2018 0362-4331 Orbán's attacks on the European Union while accepting its money and funneling it to his allies and family have also led to characterizations of his government as a kleptocracy.5 April 2018 The EU is tolerating—and enabling—authoritarian kleptocracy in Hungary The Economist https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/04/05/the-eu-is-tolerating-and-enabling-authoritarian-kleptocracy-in-hungary 5 July 2021 0013-0613 Orbán defends his policies as "illiberal democracy."30 July 2014 Full text of Viktor Orbán's speech at Băile Tuşnad (Tusnádfürdő) of 26 July 2014 The Budapest Beacon https://budapestbeacon.com/full-text-of-viktor-orbans-speech-at-baile-tusnad-tusnadfurdo-of-26-july-2014/ 28 July 2021 10 April 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20210728164958/https://budapestbeacon.com/full-text-of-viktor-orbans-speech-at-baile-tusnad-tusnadfurdo-of-26-july-2014/ dead 28 July 2018 Hungarian PM sees shift to illiberal Christian democracy in 2019 European vote https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/hungarian-pm-sees-shift-to-illiberal-christian-democracy-in-2019-european-vote-idUSKBN1KI0BK 29 July 2020 Reuters en Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday that European parliament elections next year could bring about a shift toward illiberal “Christian democracy” in the European Union that would end the era of multiculturalism. During the 2015 European migrant crisis the Orban Hungarian government initiated the erection of the Hungary-Serbia barrier to block entry of illegal immigrants. Hungary held a 2016 Hungarian migrant quota referendum, an overwhelming majority of voters rejected the EU's migrant quotas. Italy The 2013 Italian general election led to a major change in the country's political landscape, as the traditional center-right and center-left parties were challenged by the new Five Star Movement, a populist party led by comedian Beppe Grillo.Garzia Diego April 16, 2019 The Italian election of 2018 and the first populist government of Western Europe West European Politics 42 3 670–680 10.1080/01402382.2018.1535381 0140-2382 free 1814/69628 158503952 None of the three main alliances – the centre-right led by Silvio Berlusconi, the centre-left led by Pier Luigi Bersani and the Five Star Movement – won an outright majority in Parliament. After a failed attempt to form a government by Bersani, then-secretary of the Democratic Party (PD), and Giorgio Napolitano's re-election as President, Enrico Letta, Bersani's deputy, received the task of forming a grand coalition government. The Letta Cabinet consisted of the PD, Berlusconi's The People of Freedom (PdL), Civic Choice (SC), the Union of the Centre (UdC) and others.Dionisi Brenda 9 May 2013 It's a governissimo! http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=8488&browse-by=News&level=National-News dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141210181530/http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=8488&browse-by=News&level=National-News 10 December 2014 24 September 2013 The Florentine Following the election of Matteo Renzi as Secretary of the PD in December 2013, there were persistent tensions culminating in Letta's resignation as prime minister in February 2014. Subsequently, Renzi formed a government based on the same coalition (including the NCD), but in a new fashion.21 February 2014 Renzi: con 47, 8 anni di media, è il governo più giovane di sempre Corriere Della Sera http://www.corriere.it/politica/14_febbraio_21/renzi-47-8-anni-media-governo-piu-giovane-sempre-4e140a1e-9b27-11e3-8ea8-da6384aa5c66.shtml 23 February 2014 The new prime minister had a strong mandate from his party and was reinforced by the PD's strong showing in the 2014 European Parliament electionUPDATE 2-Renzi's triumph in EU vote gives mandate for Italian reform 26 May 2014 https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-election-italy-idUSL6N0OC21V20140526 9 June 2015 Reuters and the election of Sergio Mattarella, a fellow Democrat, as president in 2015. While in power, Renzi implemented several reforms, including a new electoral law (which would later be declared partially unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court), a relaxation of labour and employment laws (known as Jobs Act) with the intention of boosting economic growth, a thorough reform of the public administration, the simplification of the civil trial, the recognition of same-sex unions (not marriages) and the abolition of several minor taxes.Italy Prime Minister Mattro Renzi on Senate Reform 29 September 2015 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-09-29/italy-prime-minister-matteo-renzi-on-senate-reform 29 September 2015 BloombergRenzi Gives Italians Lower Taxes, Higher Cash Use to Back Growth Bloomberg.com 15 October 2015 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-15/renzi-gives-italians-lower-taxes-higher-cash-use-to-back-growth 15 October 2015 Bloomberg As a result of the Libyan civil war, a major problem faced by Renzi was the high level of illegal immigration to Italy. During his tenure, there was an increase in the number of immigrants rescued at sea being brought to southern Italian ports, prompting criticism from the M5S, FI and Northern League (LN),"Italy PM Renzi attacks northern regions for refusing migrants". BBC News. 8 June 2015"Italy coastguard: 3,000 migrants rescued in one day in Mediterranean". The Guardian. 23 August 2015. and causing a loss of popularity for Renzi.25 August 2015 L'analisi del sondaggista: "Con l'immigrazione, Renzi perde tra i 2 e i 4 milioni di voti" http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/lanalisi-sondaggista-limmigrazione-renzi-perde-i-2-e-i-4-mil-1163247.html 4 March 2018 Ilgiornale.it it In the 2018 Italian general election, no political group or party won an outright majority, resulting in a hung parliament.Sala Alessandro Elezioni 2018: M5S primo partito, nel centrodestra la Lega supera FI 3 April 2018 http://www.corriere.it/elezioni-2018/notizie/elezioni-2018-exit-poll-risultati-proiezioni-spoglio-eb21387e-1ff1-11e8-a09a-92b478235f6f.shtml In the election, the right-wing alliance, in which Matteo Salvini's League (LN) emerged as the main political force, won a plurality of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate, while the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) led by Luigi Di Maio became the party with the largest number of votes. The centre-left coalition, led by Matteo Renzi, came third.4 March 2018 Elezioni politiche: vincono M5s e Lega. Crollo del Partito democratico. Centrodestra prima coalizione. Il Carroccio sorpassa Forza Italia http://www.repubblica.it/speciali/politica/elezioni2018/2018/03/04/news/risultati_elezioni_politiche_pd_centrodestra_m5s_fi_lega-190424815/?ref=RHPPTP-BL-I0-C12-P1-S1.12-T1 As a result, protracted negotiations were required before a new government could be formed. On 31 May 2018, following 88 days of negotiations and several impasses, law professor Giuseppe Conte was appointed as the prime minister with support from the League and the Five Star Movement, even though not having run for the Italian Parliament. Matteo Salvini of the League and Luigi Di Maio of the Five Star Movement were also appointed as vice premiers,Jason Horowitz, Italy’s Populist Parties Win Approval to Form Government, New York Times (May 31, 2018). thus forming the 66th Italian government since World War II.Jamie McGeever, Populism surge intensifies spotlight on economic, market orthodoxy, Reuters (June 1, 2018). The formation of a new government avoided the possibility of immediate new elections.11 March 2018 L'analisi/19 marzo: Di Maio si apre a dialogo, Colle dà tempo ma a luglio è deadline - Politica http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2018/03/16/lanalisi19-marzo-di-maio-si-apre-a-dialogo-colle-da-tempo-ma-a-luglio-e-deadline-_ae97affa-a37b-402e-a04a-f870ce8fe73f.html The coalition government was formed between the Lega Nord and Five Star Movement, becoming the first fully populist government in Western Europe. During the 2019 Italian government crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Salvini announced a motion of no confidence against Conte, after growing tensions within the majority. Salvini's move came right after a vote in the Senate regarding the progress of the Turin–Lyon high-speed railway, in which the Lega voted against an attempt of the M5S to block the construction works. Many political analysts believe the no confidence motion was an attempt to force early elections to improve Lega's standing in Parliament, ensuring Salvini could become the next prime minister. On 20 August, following the parliamentary debate in which Conte harshly accused Salvini of being a political opportunist who "had triggered the political crisis only to serve his personal interest", the prime minister resigned his post to President Sergio Mattarella. This provoked the resignation of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte,Borrelli Silvia Sciorilli August 20, 2019 Italian PM Conte resigns https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-conte-resigns/ POLITICO and resulted in the formation of a new cabinet led by Conte himself.September 4, 2019 Governo, Conte annuncia i ministri: Gualtieri all'Economia, Lamorgese all'Interno, Di Maio agli Esteri. Fraccaro sottosegretario alla presidenza dopo lite tra il premier e il capo politico M5S https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2019/09/04/news/governo_giorno_decisivo_oggi_conte_sale_al_quirinale-235131875/ la Repubblica Russia Russia re-elected Vladimir Putin as the president in 2012 Russian presidential election. The election was marred by claims of fraud, contributing to the 2011–2013 Russian protests.Barry Ellen Schwirtz Michael March 5, 2012 Observers Detail Fraud in Russian Election Won by Putin The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/world/europe/observers-detail-flaws-in-russian-election.html January 10, 2020 0362-4331 Under Putin, Russia engaged in a more aggressive foreign policy, with the 2014 Annexation of Crimea and intervention in Ukraine following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, the 2015 intervention in the Syrian Civil War, and interference in the 2016 United States elections. Spain Since the 2008–2014 Spanish financial crisis began, Spain had had one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, reaching a eurozone record of 21.3%.2013-04-25 Spain unemployment hits record high en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/business-22290422 2020-06-08Alomon Kyle 14 July 2011 Who's got the highest (and lowest) unemployment rates? http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/14/world.comparison.unemployment/index.html 2 June 2020 www.cnn.com en The number of unemployed people in Spain stood at 4,910,200 at the end of March 2011, up about 214,000 from the previous quarter,Unemployment in Spain rises sharply to 21.3 percent EITB http://www.eitb.com/news/detail/646452/unemployment-spain-rises-sharply-213-percent/ 30 May 2011 3 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110503211517/http://www.eitb.com/news/detail/646452/unemployment-spain-rises-sharply-213-percent/ dead while the youth unemployment rate stands at 43.5%, the highest in the European Union.El desempleo juvenil alcanza en España su mayor tasa en 16 años La Voz de Galicia http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/dinero/2011/04/02/0003_201104G2P26991.htm 30 May 2011 In September 2010 the government approved a sweeping overhaul of the labour market designed to reduce unemployment and revive the economy.Buck Tobias 18 December 2013 OECD hails Spain's labour market reform https://www.ft.com/content/12b0e3a6-67e8-11e3-8ada-00144feabdc0 2020-06-13 www.ft.comDonadio Rachel Fuchs Dale 2010-02-17 Spanish Premier Insists Economic Recovery Is Near en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/world/europe/18spain.html 2020-06-13 0362-4331 Large trade unions such as CCOO and Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), among other minor ones, rejected the plan because it made it easier and cheaper for employers to hire and fire workers. Trade unions called for the first general strike in a decade, on 29 September 2010.Spain overhauls labour market, as unions plan general strike Yahoo! http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/Spain-overhauls-labour-market-afp-3494097690.html?x=0 dead 30 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110718133929/http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/Spain-overhauls-labour-market-afp-3494097690.html?x=0 18 July 2011 The anti-austerity movement in Spain, also referred to as the 15-M MovementTahrir Square in Madrid: Spain's Lost Generation Finds Its Voice Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,763581,00.html 7 July 2011 and the Indignados Movement,Rainsford Sarah 14 October 2011 Spain's 'Indignants' lead international protest day BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15315270 15 October 2011 was a series of protests, demonstrations, and occupations against austerity policies in Spain that began around the local and regional elections of 2011 and 2012.Vanden Harry E. https://books.google.com/books?id=HzMlDwAAQBAJ&q=Youth+without+Future+5%2C000&pg=PA175 The New Global Politics: Global Social Movements in the Twenty-First Century Funke Peter N. Prevost Gary 2017-03-16 Taylor & Francis 978-1-315-52228-9 en First starting on 15 May 2011, many of the subsequent demonstrations spread through various social networks such as Real Democracy NOW (es Democracia Real YA no) and Youth Without a Future (es Juventud Sin Futuro no).Alcaide Soledad 17 May 2011 Movimiento 15-M: los ciudadanos exigen reconstruir la política (15-M Movement: citizens demand political reconstruction) El País http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/05/16/actualidad/1305578500_751064.html live 22 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522114151/http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/05/16/actualidad/1305578500_751064.html 22 May 2011 According to RTVE, the Spanish public broadcasting company, between 6.5 and 8 million Spaniards participated in these events.Ipsos Public Affairs' statistic about Spanish protests http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20110806/mas-seis-millones-espanoles-han-participado-movimiento-15m/452598.shtml 5 August 2011 RTVE Catalonia The 2009–2011 Catalan independence referendums, a series of non-binding and unofficial referendums, "popular votes" (consultes populars), took place in municipalities around Catalonia. In them voters indicated whether they supported Catalan independence from Spain. The first such referendum took place in Arenys de Munt on 13 September 2009: there followed votes in Sant Jaume de Frontanyà on 12 December and in 166 other municipalities on 13 December. Another vote ensued in April 2011 in Barcelona. Provisional figures for the 13 December vote suggest a turnout of around 200,000 (30% of those eligible to vote). The 2012 Catalan independence demonstration was a protest march which occurred in central Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, on 11 September 2012 during the National Day of Catalonia.Khazan Olga 11 September 2012 Catalonia rallies for independence on 'Catalan National Day' https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/catalonia-rallies-for-independence-on-catalan-national-day/2012/09/11/ac729d80-fc24-11e1-a31e-804fccb658f9_blog.html The Washington Post 14 September 201212 September 2012 Catalonia 'National Day' protest in Barcelona Euro News http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2012/09/12/tens-of-thousands-protest-in-barcelona-for-catalonias-national-day/ dead 14 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120915013151/http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2012/09/12/tens-of-thousands-protest-in-barcelona-for-catalonias-national-day/ 15 September 2012 dmy-allGoodman Al 12 September 2012 Throngs push Catalan independence amid Spain's economic crisis CNN Madrid https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/11/world/europe/spain-catalonia-protests/index.html 15 September 2012 Many newspapers and other news agencies described it as a "historic" demonstration and considered it to be the biggest protest march ever held in Catalonia since the restoration of democracy in Spain,11 September 2012 Catalanes realizan manifestación histórica para reclamar su independencia es Semana.com http://www.semana.com/mundo/catalanes-realizan-manifestacion-historica-para-reclamar-su-independencia/184480-3.aspx 15 September 2012 24 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121124043536/http://www.semana.com/mundo/catalanes-realizan-manifestacion-historica-para-reclamar-su-independencia/184480-3.aspx dead12 September 2012 La prensa internacional reconoce la histórica manifestación de la Diada es La Vanguardia.com http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20120912/54350056232/diada-de-catalunya-prensa-internacional-reconoce-historica-manifestacion.html 15 September 2012Reino Cristian 12 September 2012 Una manifestación histórica exige la independencia de Cataluña es HOY.es Barcelona http://www.hoy.es/v/20120912/nacional/manifestacion-historica-exige-independencia-20120912.html 15 September 201212 September 2012 Cataluña acoge hoy una manifestación independentista histórica es Ine.es Barcelona http://www.lne.es/espana/2012/09/11/cataluna-acoge-hoy-manifestacion-independentista-historica/1296344.html 15 September 201211 September 2012 1,5 milions de persones demanen la independència de Catalunya en una manifestació rècord ca 324 Barcelona http://www.324.cat/noticia/1884457/catalunya/15-milions-de-persones-demanen-la-independencia-de-Catalunya-en-una-manifestacio-record 13 September 201213 September 2012 Empieza la lucha por capitalizar la histórica manifestación de Barcelona es GARA http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20120913/361927/es/Empieza-lucha-capitalizar-historica-manifestacion-Barcelona dead 15 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120916012553/http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/20120913/361927/es/Empieza-lucha-capitalizar-historica-manifestacion-Barcelona 16 September 2012 surpassing other major demonstrations, including the 2010 Catalan autonomy protest.Rico Jose Julve Rafa 12 September 2012 Goleada independentista, la mayor manifestación en BCN es elPeriódico.com http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/diada-2012/goleada-independentista-mayor-manifestacion-bcn-2202842 15 September 201210 July 2010 Catalan protesters rally for greater autonomy in Spain BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10588494.stm 17 September 2012 A non-binding Catalan self-determination referendum was held on Sunday, 9 November 2014, to gauge support on the political future of Catalonia. While also referred to as "Catalan independence referendum",27 September 2014 Catalonia president signs independence referendum decree BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29390774 27 September 2014Catalan Leader Signs Decree for Independence Referendum WSJ https://www.wsj.com/articles/catalan-leader-signs-decree-for-independence-referendum-1411809286 27 September 2014 Moffett Matt Catalonian leader orders referendum on independence from Spain Reuters 27 September 2014 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-catalonia-idUSKCN0HM09120140927 27 September 2014 the vote was rebranded as a "participation process" by the Government of Catalonia, after a "non-referendum popular consultation" on the same topic and for the same date had been suspended by the Constitutional Court of Spain.Non-referendum popular consultation on the political future of Catalonia 2014 http://www20.gencat.cat/portal/site/consulta/?newLang=en_GB dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085117/http://www20.gencat.cat/portal/site/consulta/?newLang=en_GB 6 October 2014 22 October 2014 Generalitat de Catalunya The 2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis started after the law intending to allow the 2017 Catalan independence referendum was denounced by the Spanish government under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and subsequently suspended by the Constitutional Court until it ruled on the issue.8 September 2017 Spain Catalonia: Court blocks independence referendum BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41196677 9 September 2017Strange Hannah 7 September 2017 Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/07/catalonias-independence-referendum-intolerable-act-disobedience/ 9 September 2017 Some international media outlets have described the events as "one of the worst political crises in modern Spanish history".Stothard Michael 20 September 2017 Spanish national police raid Catalan government headquarters Financial Times Madrid https://www.ft.com/content/0d0ec8ea-9dd7-11e7-8cd4-932067fbf946 20 September 2017 The Catalan independence referendum of 2017 was held on 1 October 2017 in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia, passed by the Parliament of Catalonia as the Law on the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia and called by the Generalitat de Catalunya.Giles Ciaran Parra Aritz 17 October 2017 Spain: Top court officially rules Catalan referendum illegal Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-catalonia-spain-independence-20171017-story.html 20 October 20176 September 2017 El gobierno de Cataluña convocó para el 1 de octubre el referéndum de autodeterminación es-LA Infobae https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2017/09/06/el-gobierno-de-cataluna-convoco-el-referendum-de-autodeterminacion-para-el-1-de-octubre/ 20 October 2017Jones Sam 6 September 2017 Catalonia to hold independence vote despite anger in Madrid The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/06/spanish-government-condemns-catalonia-over-independence-referendum 16 October 2017 It was declared unconstitutional26 September 2017 Why the referendum on Catalan independence is illegal The Economist https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2017/09/economist-explains-1720 September 2017 How to Stage an Illegal Referendum Bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-20/how-to-stage-an-illegal-referendum-on-independence-from-spainAlandete David 10 October 2017 Independence in Catalonia – now what? El País https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/10/10/inenglish/1507636762_251450.html on 7 September 2017 and suspended by the Constitutional Court of Spain after a request from the Spanish government, who declared it a breach of the Spanish Constitution.8 September 2017 Spain Catalonia: Court blocks independence referendum https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41196677 18 October 2017 BBC News6 September 2017 Recurso de inconstitucionalidad n.º 4334-2017, contra la Ley del Parlamento de Cataluña 19/2017, de 6 de septiembre, del Referéndum de Autodeterminación. https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2017/09/08/pdfs/BOE-A-2017-10287.pdf 5 October 2017 Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado esDuarte Esteban 11 September 2017 Catalan Separatists Plot Show of Force in Battle With Madrid Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-10/catalan-separatists-plot-show-of-strength-in-battle-with-madrid 13 September 2017 Additionally, in early September the High Court of Justice of Catalonia had issued orders to the police to try to prevent it, including the detention of various persons responsible for its preparation.Carranco Rebeca García Jesús 21 September 2017 La justicia desmonta la organización del referéndum ilegal de Cataluña es El País https://elpais.com/ccaa/2017/09/20/catalunya/1505885372_273143.htmlUna juez ordena a Google eliminar la aplicación sobre el referéndum catalán es-LA Reuters https://es.reuters.com/article/topNews/idESKCN1C42K5-OESTP dead https://web.archive.org/web/20171005090619/http://es.reuters.com/article/topNews/idESKCN1C42K5-OESTP 2017-10-05Catalonia's Superior Court also orders Catalan Police to close off planned polling stations El Nacional http://www.elnacional.cat/en/news/catalan-court-mossos-close-polling-stations-referendum_195894_102.html Due to alleged irregularities during the voting process as well as to the use of force by the National Police Corps and Civil Guard, international observers invited by the Generalitat declared that the referendum failed to meet the minimum international standards for elections.Colomé Jordi Pérez 3 October 2017 La misión de observadores concluye que el referéndum no cumple los "estándares internacionales" es El País https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2017/10/03/actualidad/1507046129_416345.html "La Misión debe concluir que el referéndum, tal y como se hizo, no puede cumplir con los estándares internacionales" The Mission must conclude that the referendum, as it was done, can not meet international standards3 October 2017 Did the referendum comply with basic voting regulations? El País https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/10/01/inenglish/1506858911_482600.htmlGallego-Díaz Soledad 5 October 2017 Mediaciones e instituciones es-ES Hoy por hoy Cadena SER http://cadenaser.com/programa/2017/10/05/hoy_por_hoy/1507161876_966223.html On 27 October, the Catalan parliament voted in a secret ballot to unilaterally declare independence from Spain, with most deputies of the opposition boycotting a vote considered illegal for violating the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Spain, as the lawyers of the Parliament of Catalonia warned.27 October 2017 Un Parlament semivacío consuma en voto secreto la rebelión contra el Estado es El Mundo http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/27/59f2feafe2704e491b8b48e2.html 27 October 201727 October 2017 Los letrados del Parlament advierten de que la votación de la DUI es ilegal es 20 minutos http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/3171812/0/letrados-parlament-advierten-votacion-propuesta-dui-ilegal/ 28 October 201727 October 2017 PPC, PSC y Ciudadanos abandonarán el Parlament si se vota la resolución de Junts pel Sí y la CUP es La Vanguardia http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171027/432386099496/ciudadanos-albiol-no-participaran-votacion-resolucion.html 28 October 2017 As a result, the government of Spain invoked the Constitution to remove the regional authorities and enforce direct rule the next day,26 October 2017 Catalan crisis: Regional MPs debate Spain takeover bid BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41760832 27 October 201727 October 2017 Catalan crisis: Spain PM Rajoy demands direct rule BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41771294 27 October 20174 November 2017 Catalonia's longest week en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41871476 7 November 2017 with a regional election being subsequently called for 21 December 2017 to elect a new Parliament of Catalonia.27 October 2017 Catalonia independence: Rajoy dissolves Catalan parliament BBC News Barcelona, Madrid https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41783289 27 October 2017 Puigdemont and part of his cabinet fled to Belgium after being ousted,30 October 2017 Sacked Catalan leader 'in Belgium' en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41811649 31 October 2017 as the Spanish Attorney General pressed for charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds against them.Guindal Carlota 30 October 2017 La Fiscalía se querella contra Puigdemont y el Govern por rebelión y sedición es La Vanguardia http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171030/432485190372/fiscal-maza-querella-puigdemont-junqueras.html 30 October 2017Jones Sam 30 October 2017 Spanish prosecutor calls for rebellion charges against Catalan leaders The Guardian Barcelona https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/30/spanish-prosecutor-calls-for-rebellion-charges-against-catalan-leaders 30 October 201731 October 2017 Catalan independence: Spain high court summons dismissed leader BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41825030 31 October 2017 The trial of Catalonia independence leaders began on 12 February 2019 in the Supreme Court of Spain, in which 12 people were tried, including the previous vice president Oriol Junqueras of the regional government and most of the cabinet as well as political activists Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart and the former speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia Carme Forcadell. Nine of the 12 accused received prison sentences for the crimes of sedition; of them, four were also found guilty of misuse of public funds. Their sentences ranged from 9 to 13 years. The remaining three accused were found guilty of disobedience and were sentenced to pay a fine but received no prison term. The court dismissed the charges of rebellion.14 October 2019 Spain court gives Catalan leaders long jail terms BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49974289 The verdict delivered by the Supreme Court sparked multiple protests across the region. United Kingdom Premiership of David Cameron Premiership of Theresa May Premiership of Boris Johnson Following the 2010 general election, negotiations led to David Cameron becoming prime minister as the head of a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats – the youngest holder of the office since the 1810s and the first coalition government in the country's history since World War II.May 10, 2011 TIMELINE-UK coalition government's first year in power Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-politics-year-idUSLDE7492B020110510 January 26, 2020Hough Andrew 11 May 2010 David Cameron becomes youngest Prime Minister in almost 200 years The Daily Telegraph London https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/david-cameron/7712545/David-Cameron-becomes-youngest-Prime-Minister-in-almost-200-years.html dead 11 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100513031801/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/david-cameron/7712545/David-Cameron-becomes-youngest-Prime-Minister-in-almost-200-years.html 13 May 2010 His premiership was marked by the effects of the Great Recession; these involved a large deficit in government finances that his government sought to reduce through austerity measures. His administration passed the Health and Social Care Act and the Welfare Reform Act, which introduced large-scale changes to healthcare and welfare. He also enforced stricter immigration policies,Morris Nigel 22 May 2014 David Cameron sticks to his guns on immigration reduction pledge even while numbers rise The Independent Independent Print Ltd. London, England https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-sticks-to-his-guns-on-immigration-reduction-pledge-even-while-numbers-rise-9420749.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-sticks-to-his-guns-on-immigration-reduction-pledge-even-while-numbers-rise-9420749.html 2022-05-01 subscription live 5 July 2014 introduced reforms to education and oversaw the 2012 London Olympics. The government privatised the Royal Mail and some other state assets, and legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales. The Scottish National Party (SNP) became dominant in Scotland over the decade, with a referendum on Scottish independence held in 2014, returning a negative result. When the Conservatives secured an unexpected majority in the 2015 general election, Cameron remained as prime minister, this time leading a Conservative-only government. Meanwhile, the Conservative's coalition partner, the Liberal Democrats, saw their worst result in the party's modern history. Also in 2015, the Labour Party elected Jeremy Corbyn as its leader, who was considered the most left-wing leader of the party since Michael Foot (1980–83).Who is Jeremy Corbyn: The Most Left-Wing Leader of the Labour Party https://www.insideover.com/indepths/politics/who-is-jeremy-corbyn.html January 26, 2020 InsideOver Cameron's second ministry was dominated by the 2016 referendum on the UK's continuing membership of the EU. Cameron introduced the referendum in order to fulfill a manifesto pledge, but campaigned on the side of the "remain" vote, along with most of the other major parties. Some members of the Conservatives, as well as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and UK Independence Party (UKIP), campaigned to "leave." The "leave" vote unexpectedly won, and a few hours later Cameron announced he would resign.24 June 2016 EU referendum: UK votes to leave in historic referendum BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36615028 24 June 2016 A leadership election was held and Cameron was succeeded by Theresa May.Stewart Heather Mason Rowena Syal Rajeev 24 June 2016 David Cameron resigns after UK votes to leave European Union The Guardian London, England https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/david-cameron-resigns-after-uk-votes-to-leave-european-union PM announces resignation following victory for leave supporters after divisive referendum campaign May became the UK's second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher, as well as the first woman to hold two of the Great Offices of State. She began the process of withdrawing the UK from the European Union, triggering Article 50 in March 2017. The following month, she announced a snap general election, with the aims of strengthening her hand in Brexit negotiations and campaigning on "strong and stable" leadership.Crace John John Crace (writer) 9 July 2018 Political crises don't come much bigger than Brexit GQ http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/brexit-secretary-david-davis-resigns 10 July 20189 June 2017 General election 2017: Why did Theresa May call an election? BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40210957 live 4 September 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170905062304/http://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40210957 5 September 2017 This election resulted in a hung parliament, in which the Conservatives actually losing seats, despite the party winning its highest vote share since 1983. The loss of an overall majority prompted her to enter a confidence and supply arrangement with the DUP of Northern Ireland to support a minority government. After versions of her draft withdrawal agreement were rejected by Parliament three times, she resigned in 2019 and was succeeded by Boris Johnson, her former Foreign Secretary. Following further defeats in Parliament, Johnson prorogued parliament, an act deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. Johnson then called a snap election in 2019, where he campaigned on a platform to "Get Brexit Done." The Conservatives won the largest majority in the House of Commons since the 1987 election, leading to the passing of a Brexit deal early in the next decade.December 14, 2019 The world this week – Blue Wave: Biggest Conservative win since 1987 https://www.france24.com/en/uk/20191214-uk-s-conservatives-win-largest-majority-since-1980s-uk-election-labour-jeremy-corbyn-week-review-brexit January 26, 2020 France 24 Premierships Premiership of David Cameron Premiership of Theresa May Premiership of Boris Johnson See also 2010s in history 2020s in history Notes References Bibliography Boris v. Ken: How Boris Johnson Won London Edwards Giles Isaby Jonathan 2008 Politico's London 978-1-84275-225-8 Gimson Andrew Andrew Gimson Boris: The Rise of Boris Johnson 2nd Simon & Schuster 2012 Boris: The Rise of Boris Johnson Nekov Momchil Momchil Nekov 2013 От първо лице 1st Sofia Ciela 978-954-28143-3-7 http://ciela.bg/books/book/ot-prvo-litse/1864 Purnell Sonia Sonia Purnell Just Boris: Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity Aurum Press Ltd London 2011 978-1-84513-665-9 https://archive.org/details/justborisirresis0000purn Category:2010s in politics