After the parliamentary elections

Updated Jan 03, 2023 | 18:16

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Congress meets on Capitol Hill

Congress meets on Capitol Hill

Photo: APA/dpa

YOUOvershadowed by a bitter power struggle among Republicans, the newly elected US Congress convened for the first time on Tuesday. Nearly two months after the parliamentary elections, both chambers of Congress met in separate sessions in a new constellation. Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in the election – in the Senate, President Joe Biden’s Democrats still have a narrow majority.

The new legislative period was heralded by fierce in-party struggles among Republicans for leadership of the House of Representatives. His faction leader, Kevin McCarthy, wants to be elected mayor. The post, which has been held by Democrat Nancy Pelosi in recent years, is third in the ranking of the US government, after the president and his deputy. However, several party colleagues rebelled against McCarthy and announced in advance that they would not support him. In view of the narrow majority, it was indicated that McCarthy might lose the required majority on the first ballot. That would be a sensation.

The last time this happened was a hundred years ago when voting for the office of power required more than one vote and a parliamentary group refused to support its candidate in the first round. McCarthy was combative shortly before the session, saying, “I hold the record for the longest speech on the floor.” He has no problem setting a record for the most votes cast in a vote for the presidency of the House of Representatives.