Pedro Sánchez and Juan Lobato at the last PSOE Regional Congress in Madrid JUAN BARBOSA

Once again the Madrid City Council is giving the PSOE a headache. And thus also for Pedro Sánchez. Ferraz has decided to postpone the first trial until December to settle the question of who will lead the Socialist candidacy in its search for a powerful candidate to try to establish right-wing hegemony in the Spanish capital for more than three decades end, with the exception of the legislature in which Manuela Carmena was mayor.

The PSOE primary calendar considered two options: celebrate the internal process now in the month of October, or leave it for the end of the year. The decision to postpone the trial brings with it an imminent fact: Mercedes González will not run, according to various socialist sources. The government delegate expected to introduce herself but had not done so and was awaiting the support of the governor and the secretary general of the PSOE. After all, it wasn’t like that. One of the reasons would be the low level of awareness among the citizens and the bad feelings that some internal qualifications had left the party. Socialist sources point out that the proposal to look for another alternative for the candidacy came from the Secretary General of the PSOE in Madrid, Juan Lobato, who gave the green light to Ferraz. González is the current general secretary of the city of Madrid, which includes the format of the old socialist district groups that was in place until a year ago.

In Ferraz and La Moncloa, they believe that the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, is showing signs of wear and tear and that the conditions are there for a U-turn in the capital, with all the importance it would mean for the left, and even more so in front of the General elections at the end of 2023. But for this they had to explore a different candidacy than González. Ministers Margarita Robles (Defence) and Pilar Llop (Justice) were expelled. “Let’s go for everyone. We don’t give up any city: neither Madrid, nor Barcelona, ​​nor Valencia…”, Sánchez reiterated in an interview on September 1 on Cadena SER, in which he stressed that one of his electoral objectives was “to convince citizens that socialist governments in city councils and autonomous communities guarantee that there are policies favorable to the majority of citizens”.

This is the main novelty of the main calendar that the PSOE intends to detail this Thursday morning in the areas and localities with more than 20,000 inhabitants. Lobato, who clearly ran for the regional elections, will be elected by the militancy in the October 9 primaries. On the other hand, the president of the community, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is seeking re-election. The Social Democrats hope to replace More Madrid as the main opposition party again, benefiting among other things from the fact that regional elections coincide with local elections. They also hope to salvage disgruntled voters with the shortages of basic services, overcrowded health centers and the controversial student grants awarded by the state government for incomes over €100,000.

The search for an option other than that of the government delegate in the Madrid City Council is reminiscent of the election of the PSOE candidates in the capital in the last electoral processes. After unsuccessfully courting party officials like Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, in 2019 Sánchez settled on Pepu Hernández, former national basketball coach and 2006 world champion. The bet was a complete failure: the Socialists signed their worst result in the capital ( 13.5% of the vote) and dropped to fourth place, beaten by Más Madrid, the PP and Ciudadanos. The PSOE won the regional elections for the first time since 1987 with Ángel Gabilondo as group leader. The Ciudadanos pact with the PP prevented a progressive government for the first time since 1995.

Sánchez faces the risk of concentrating external criticism and criticism from the socialist federation to which he belongs, which has a reputation for being the most spasmodic of the PSOE, if the result in the city of Madrid is not good. Pepu Hernández’s precedent is there and it’s very recent. But the current prime minister is not the only one who has tried to win back capital by recruiting candidates from outside the party or Madrid politics. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero imposed Trinidad Jiménez in 2003 – a year before he arrived in La Moncloa – to try to end the PP’s 14-year hegemony in the Spanish capital. Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón (PP) got 51.3% of the votes and 250,000 votes more than the Socialist candidate -36.68% and 625,000 votes – although Jiménez surpassed Fernando Morán’s votes (535,000) in 1999. In 2007, Zapatero again pushed through his own candidate, Miguel Sebastián, whom he would later make minister, against Ruiz-Gallardón. Sebastián worsened the results with 30.9% of the vote, almost 400,000 votes below the PP candidate. Sebastian stayed at 485,000 votes. The socialist bleeding continued in the 2011 election – Jaime Lissavetzky fell to 364,600 votes – and Antonio Miguel Carmona in 2015 (250,000 votes). If the result was already low, it went down with Pepu Hernández (224,000 votes). The prospective PSOE candidate faces the challenge of reversing a trend that dates back to the turn of the century.

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Lady Gabriella Windsor appeared to collapse as the Queen’s coffin arrived at Westminster Hall ahead of the service yesterday.

The daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen’s cousin, attended the intimate service with her parents and husband Thomas Kingston and was seen lining up with other members of the royal family as Her Majesty’s coffin was brought in became.

However, moments later there was a slight commotion and it appears Lady Gabriella Windsor fainted, according to Hello.

Video shows a member of staff rushing over to help and Mr Kingston turning to help his wife.

Photographs taken later in the service show that Lady Gabriella is absent from the lineup, although she was able to leave the hall arm in arm with her husband.

Lady Gabriella Windsor (second left), daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, attended the intimate service with her parents and husband Thomas Kingston (centre), standing in line with members of the royal family as did Her Majesty’s coffin brought

However, moments later there was a slight commotion and it appears Lady Gabriella Windsor fainted, according to Hello. Photos taken later in the service show Lady Gabriella missing from the lineup (above)

Lady Gabriella later walked arm in arm with her husband, pictured, suggesting she was able to recover quickly despite her ordeal at Westminster Hall

The Queen is brought to Westminster Hall to pay her respects to the nation, her coffin will remain there for four days

Camilla, Queen Consort, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the procession of coffins from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall

Peter Phillips, the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, the Earl of Snowdon, the Duchess of Sussex, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, the Duke of York, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex Follow the bearers party that carries Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin into Westminster Hall in London

Extended members of the royal family have always shown their unwavering support for the late monarch, appearing at several events including the Thanksgiving service held in honor of her reign in June during her platinum jubilee celebrations.

The Queen’s cousins ​​Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent and the Duchess of Gloucester were all spotted at the event today.

Meanwhile, younger royals, including sisters Lady Amelia and Marina Windsor and Flora Vesterberg, queued alongside their relatives at the event.

Thomas Kingston, Gabriella Windsor, Lady Sarah Chatto, Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman leave after the service

Princess Michael, who is married to Prince Michael of Kent, appeared somber during the sad event, paying tribute to the left-wing monarch. Pictured right, the Duchess of Gloucester

Lord Frederick Windsor (centre) attends the service with his wife Sophie Winkleman and his mother Princess Michael of Kent (left)

The Queen’s extended family came out in droves today to honor the monarch, including (LR) the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent

The Duchess of Gloucester and Lady Rose Gilman. Lady Rose Gilman, 42, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, is not taking on any royal duties. However, she is expected to be at the funeral on Monday. She will likely attend with her husband George

Others pictured at the sombre event included Lord Frederick Windsor, who was accompanied by his wife Sophie Winkleman.

Prince Michael of Kent, the younger son of Prince George and the Duke of Kent, looked serious and wore a military suit for the occasion.

He runs his own consultancy but has occasionally represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at a number of events outside the UK. He was accompanied by his wife, Princess Michael, known for her nickname “Princess Pushy”.

The Duke of Kent wore a dark suit today for the historic moment. Prince Edward, the Queen’s first cousin, is involved with over 140 different charities, organizations and professional associations on behalf of the royal family.

Prince William, Prince Harry and Sophie, Countess of Wessex stand alongside the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex in Westminster Hall

Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood alongside their wives Meghan and Kate as they put their bitter feud aside to pay their respects to their grandmother

Harry put his hand to his face as he read the regulations for today’s brief ceremony in the heart of the Palace of Westminster

Lady Helen, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, is a fringe queen happy to live life largely under the radar, and donned a sleek black suit for a celebratory moment. She was accompanied by her son Cassius, whom she shares with art dealer Timothy Taylor.

Prince Harry and his brother Prince William stood alongside their wives Meghan and Kate as they put their bitter feud aside to pay their respects to their grandmother.

As the siblings walked side-by-side for the poignant 38-minute procession from Buckingham Palace, their spouses traveled in separate cars, with Meghan accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and Kate by Camilla, the Queen Consort.

During the service, the “Fab Four” stood in formation before the coffin on their purple-topped catafalque, flanked by a tall, yellow, flickering candle at each corner of the broad, scarlet platform at the heart of Westminster Hall – the backdrop to some of the most famous moments in British history.

The Sussexes were at the bottom of the royals’ group, with Harry just behind William and Meghan behind Kate. The touching moment marks the first time the couples have been spotted together since their surprise tour of Windsor Castle together on Saturday and a rare show of togetherness.

The Queen’s coffin entered Westminster Hall as the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, sang Psalm 139. When the Queen arrived, Charles, William and Anne saluted. Harry and Prince Andrew – who were banned from wearing military uniforms – bowed their heads instead.

Kate and Meghan arrive at Westminster Hall, where the Queen’s coffin is laid out ahead of her funeral at Westminster Abbey

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex paid their respects today

From 5pm yesterday, mourners were able to walk past the coffin to pay their respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch

Pallbearers from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards prepare to carry Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin into Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster

LONDON (AP) – Reports that up to 100 staff at King Charles III’s former residence could lose their jobs have drawn criticism of the British monarchy within days of his accession to the throne.

The Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday that dozens of staff at Clarence House, Charles’ former official residence, have been told their jobs are at stake. According to the report, the announcements came amid a busy period of transition as Charles and his wife Camilla, the Queen consort, move into Buckingham Palace following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

The Public and Commercial Services Union called the royals’ decision to notify staff of the job cuts during a period of mourning “downright heartless”.

“While some changes in the budgets were to be expected as roles in the royal family change, the scale and speed with which this was announced is extremely callous,” said the union’s general secretary, Mark Serwotka.

Britain is in a national period of mourning until Monday, when the Queen’s state funeral takes place.

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In a statement, Clarence House said that following Charles’s accession, his and Camilla’s household operations “ceased” and “a consultation process has begun, as required by law”.

The British King Charles III. walks behind the coffin during the procession for Queen Elizabeth II in London September 14, 2022. (Kate Green/Pool Photo via AP)

“Our staff have provided long and loyal service and while some redundancies will be inevitable, we are working urgently to find alternative roles for the greatest possible number of staff,” the statement added.

The Guardian said an unnamed associate of Charles’s told the newspaper that “everyone is absolutely furious… people were visibly shaken by it.”

The criticism added to negative press for the 73-year-old monarch after two videos showing him visibly irritated with a leaking pen and pen holder went viral on social media in recent days.

In one video, Charles was seen losing his temper with a leaking pen as he signed a guest book in front of cameras in Northern Ireland, where he was visiting on Tuesday on the final leg of his royal tour of Britain’s four nations.

Charles was heard exclaiming, “Oh god, I hate this!” and muttering, “I can’t take that damn thing…every smelly time.”

The video comes after another pen-related incident on Saturday, when the new monarch gestured irritably at his staff when a pen holder got in his way as he signed a document during his accession ceremony.

Charles has been under intense media scrutiny since his mother’s death in Scotland on Thursday and has had a busy schedule. He and Camilla flew from Scotland to London for his accession ceremony and a visit to Parliament to address lawmakers before flying back to Scotland where he walked behind the Queen’s coffin.

He then flew to Northern Ireland on Tuesday and returned to London the same night, in time for the procession of the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday.

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Published on: 15.09.2022 – 05:01 Modified on: 15.09.2022 – 08:23

This Thursday, September 15, the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will open in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. An event marked by the presence of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who will meet on the sidelines of the summit.

Founded in 2001 but whose origins date back to 1996, this organization initially brought together Russia, China and 4 former Soviet republics of Central Asia. These countries were joined in 2016 by India and Pakistan and 2021 from Iran. Today Samarkand is therefore home to many powers, including two representatives of countries sitting on the UN Security Council, four nuclear powers and even states that are among the largest producers and consumers of energy.

It is an organization with a political, economic and even security vocation, a kind of club dominated by states eager to balance Western influence, analyzes our regional correspondent, Regis Gente. And this is precisely the opportunity for some of the participants, most of whom are authoritarian or dictatorial regimes, to show the West that the rest of the world matters.

This year the SCO is coming while the West is being challenged by Russia, China and many other powers that will be present in the “blue city”. One of the challenges of the meeting will therefore be to stage this balance of power.

The long-awaited Xi-Putin meeting

Many meetings between heads of state are planned during the summit, but one in particular attracts attention. Russian and Chinese Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will meet on the sidelines of the summit. And for the Kremlin master, this alliance is “a real alternative to western-oriented structures.” “It is an organization closed to the United States, the West or even Japan, which wants to promote good Sino-Russian understanding and also the republics of Central Asia,” explains Emmanuel Véron, geographer, associate researcher at the Naval School and in Inalco.

This To meet Xi Jinping – Vladimir Putin, six months after the Beijing Winter Olympics handshake, our correspondent in Beijing explains, Stephane Lagarde, actually risks eclipsing the rest of this conference, which is also expected to include Indian, Pakistani, Iranian and Turkish leaders. The terms “united front” with Russia against Western sanctions have appeared several times in the Chinese state media in recent days. Strong support from Beijing towards Moscow, at least rhetorically, again last week on Russian television when Chinese number three Li Zhanshu visited Russia: “On the issue of Ukraine, it can be said that the United States and NATO broke down Russia’s door directly and the threaten national security and the safety of the Russian people. Russia has taken the necessary steps. China understands these core interests and always fully supports Russia. »

“China stands ready to work with Russia to (…) promote a fairer and more reasonable international order,” said Yang Jiechi, head of diplomacy within the Chinese Communist Party, ahead of the summit. Moreover, this isn’t the first time Xi Jinping has brought his support to his “friend” Vladimir Putin, nor that Chinese and Russian diplomacy evoke the need to establish one ” new world order “. Russia, hit by sanctions and diplomatically isolated since the invasion of Ukraine, is trying to strengthen its ties with Asian countries, starting with China. Aside from the fact that the context has changed today, Russian troops have withdrawn to Ukraine. The exchange between the two men is therefore under close scrutiny. For its part, China is trying to rely on Moscow to expand its influence on the Russian forecourt of the former republics of the Soviet Union.

Stand out from the west

For other countries, this meeting is an opportunity to differentiate themselves a little more from the West and in particular from the United States. Therefore, Iran should sign a commitment protocol to become a full member of the SCO, because negotiations on its nuclear program have stalled.

Belarus, for its part, should start the process of joining the organization and initial various memoranda so that Egypt, Qatar or Saudi Arabia get closer. Thirty other documents are signed, aiming to strengthen the links between the member countries of an organization that is not a bloc but aims to stimulate synergies between its members.

► Also read: Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan: Beijing wants to strengthen its influence in Central Asia

Death of Queen Elizabeth II

A few days before the state funeral, the list of “unwelcome” countries at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is increasing. All the powerful who will not attend the ceremony.

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Death of Queen Elizabeth II

With just days to go before Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, the list of countries “unwelcome” to the solemn funerals in the heart of London is growing. The first who did not receive the invitation are Russia and Belarus, allies in the war against Ukraine. According to reports from the BBC, all countries subject to Western sanctions have been excluded. That would be a hint from the new Conservative Prime Minister Liz TrussUnwelcome guests also include Myanmar, Bashar al-Assad’s Syria, Taliban’s Afghanistan and Nicolas Maduro’s Venezuela.

Surprisingly, it’s not listed there North Korea: However, only the ambassadors received the invitation. Also in the list of “friends” are Iran and Nicaragua. The invitation to Iranian diplomats is particularly surprising: the country does not maintain relaxed relations with Great Britain and state television compared Elizabeth II to Adolf Hitler shortly after his death. “His death will be good news for oppressed people,” the Channel 1 presenter commented on the occasion.

Leading the way in choosing exclusions is the UK, given the ongoing human rights abuses in the blacklisted countries. Bashar al-Assad, for example, is a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has been accused of using chemical weapons against his own people on at least three occasions in 2017.

Message from Prince William to Grandmother Elizabeth II: ‘Grateful to have her by my side’

Afghanistan, on the other hand, was excluded after the Taliban returned to power. The new government violates the rights of women and political opponents. Similarly, Nicolas Maduro’s Venezuelan regime has been accused of violence, murder and arbitrary arrests by security forces or allied armed groups.

Myanmar, on the other hand, was one of the first countries to be banned from the event for violence against civilians, whose riots are brutally repressed, and against activists.