1998 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1998 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 12 Feb Presidential line-item veto declared unconstitutional: On February 12, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the line-item veto, which allowed the President to reject specific provisions of a bill, was unconstitutional. This decision reaffirmed the separation of powers and the legislative process as outlined in the Constitution. source: supremecourt.gov
- 09 Mar Sitaram Kesri resigns as Congress Party President: On March 9, 1998, Sitaram Kesri resigned as president of the Indian National Congress, paving the way for Sonia Gandhi to assume leadership. Kesri, 78, did not provide a specific reason for his resignation but expressed support for Gandhi's potential leadership. Gandhi, 51, had been a prominent campaigner for the party in the 1998 parliamentary elections, though the party did not improve its seat count significantly. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Mar South Korean presidential amnesty: On March 13, 1998, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung announced a presidential amnesty for political prisoners and those convicted of corruption. This move was part of his broader efforts to promote national reconciliation and reform. source: reuters.com
- 22 Mar Congress Party Leadership Transition in India: Sitaram Kesri resigned as president of India's Congress Party following the party's failure to win a parliamentary election, signaling a major political shift.
- 11 May Philippine Presidential Election: On May 11, 1998, the Philippines held its presidential election, resulting in Joseph Estrada being elected as the 13th President of the Philippines. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 May Lewinsky scandal: Secret Service testimony ruling: On May 22, 1998, a federal judge ruled that Secret Service agents could be compelled to testify about their interactions with Monica Lewinsky, a key figure in the scandal involving President Bill Clinton. This ruling was significant in the ongoing investigation into Clinton's conduct and the broader implications for presidential immunity. source: nytimes.com
- 30 Jun Joseph Estrada becomes president of the Philippines: On June 30, 1998, Joseph Estrada was inaugurated as the 13th President of the Philippines. His presidency was marked by populist policies and controversies, including allegations of corruption that eventually led to his ousting in 2001. Estrada's election was significant in the political landscape of the Philippines. source: bbc.com
- 11 Jul Japan's House of Councillors election: On July 12, 1998, Japan held elections for its House of Councillors. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Ryūtarō Hashimoto, lost 13 seats, resulting in the opposition gaining control of the House. This outcome led to Hashimoto's resignation and the election of Keizō Obuchi as the new LDP president on July 24, 1998. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Jul House overrides presidential veto on late-term abortion procedure: On July 23, 1998, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override President Bill Clinton's veto of a bill banning late-term abortion procedures. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
- 17 Aug Clinton-Lewinsky scandal: Presidential admission: On August 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton publicly admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern. This admission was a pivotal moment in the scandal that would lead to his impeachment proceedings. source: nytimes.com
- 20 Aug Quebec Secession Legal Ruling: On August 20, 1998, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that Quebec cannot unilaterally secede from Canada under Canadian or international law. However, if Quebec holds a referendum with a clear majority favoring secession, the federal government is constitutionally obligated to negotiate the terms of Quebec's separation. This decision emphasized the need for negotiations and constitutional amendments for secession to occur. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Sep Uruguay's Didier Opertiri elected UN General Assembly President: Didier Opertiri of Uruguay was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly on September 9, 1998. His election marked a significant moment for Uruguay in international diplomacy and governance. source: un.org
- 27 Sep German parliamentary elections: On September 27, 1998, Germany held its federal parliamentary elections, resulting in the Social Democratic Party (SPD) forming a coalition government with the Alliance 90/The Greens. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Nov Republicans gain control of House of Representatives: In the 1998 midterm elections held on November 3, 1998, the Republican Party gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. source: archives.gov
- 06 Nov Hugo Chávez elected president of Venezuela: Hugo Chávez won the presidential election in Venezuela, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. His election was seen as a response to widespread discontent with the existing political system. source: bbc.com
- 22 Nov Albanian constitutional referendum: On November 22, 1998, Albania held a constitutional referendum to approve a new constitution aimed at strengthening democracy and governance. The referendum was a significant step in Albania's post-communist transition. source: bbc.com
- 28 Nov Albania Adopts New Constitution: On November 28, 1998, Albania's new constitution, approved by a public referendum on November 22, 1998, came into force. The constitution established Albania as a unitary parliamentary constitutional republic. source: en.wikipedia.org
What happened in 1998?
Discover what the world looked like in 1998: