South Korea: Yoon Suk-yeol’s desperate martial law defeated within hours

A spectacular political whirlwind has taken place in South Korea, where the President suddenly declared martial law in the name of “defending the country from pro-North Korean forces,” only to be forced to roll it back in a matter of hours. Why did this extraordinary move turn into a farce so quickly, and what forces has this unleashed in the crisis-ridden country?

The Irish general election has returned the two main capitalist parties to the Dáil with enough seats to form the core of a new coalition. The establishment is forcing a weak smile and trying to celebrate. “The choice of the Irish people is clear,” The Irish Times attempted to convince itself, “they want more of the same”.

Sauf coup de théâtre, le gouvernement Barnier tombera demain ou jeudi. Un nouveau sursis ne pourrait venir que d’un recul du RN ou du PS, à la dernière minute. Or ces deux partis n’auraient rien à y gagner – et beaucoup à y perdre.

As semanas que se seguem a uma eleição presidencial, em que o Presidente cessante se ocupa a dar os últimos retoques no seu legado, deixando ao Presidente eleito a tarefa de reunir a equipa que tomará as rédeas do poder, são normalmente um período de pousio na política norte-americana. Desta vez, não.