2007 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights

2007 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Jan Nancy Pelosi becomes first female House Speaker: On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected as the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, marking a historic milestone in American politics. She was sworn in during the opening session of the 110th Congress, following the Democrats' majority win in the 2006 elections. Pelosi's election was celebrated as a significant advancement for women in U.S. politics. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Jan Bangladeshi President declares state of emergency: On January 8, 2007, Bangladeshi President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution, and postponed elections, citing political unrest and violence in the country. source: reuters.com
- 11 Jan Bangladesh Declares State of Emergency: Caretaker President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency in Bangladesh following weeks of violent protests preceding upcoming parliamentary elections, reflecting the country's political instability.
- 14 Jan Nicolas Sarkozy nominated for French presidential election: On January 14, 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy was officially nominated as the candidate for the French presidential election by the Union for a Popular Movement party. His candidacy marked a significant moment in French politics leading up to the election. source: reuters.com
- 21 Jan Serbia's first post-independence general election: On January 21, 2007, Serbia held its first parliamentary elections since declaring independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The Serbian Radical Party (SRS) emerged as the largest party, winning 28.7% of the vote and 81 seats in the 250-member National Assembly. The Democratic Party (DS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) followed, securing 22.9% and 16.7% of the vote, respectively. source: robert-schuman.eu
- 01 Feb Deadly Clashes in Democratic Republic of Congo: Violent confrontations between Bundu dia Kongo, an opposition religious group, and local police erupted during a dispute over provincial governor elections, resulting in 36 fatalities.
- 03 Feb Tony Blair Addresses Political Challenges: British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Labour Party members to remain resilient during political challenges and focus on winning the next election, reflecting the internal political dynamics of the UK at the time.
- 04 Feb Greek Political Debate: A three-day parliamentary debate concluded with a vote of confidence in Greece's conservative government, initiated by the Socialist Party's call for early elections.
- 05 Feb Rudy Giuliani announces 2008 presidential campaign: On February 5, 2007, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced his candidacy for the 2008 U.S. presidential election. His campaign focused on national security and economic issues.
- 10 Feb Barack Obama announces presidential campaign: On February 10, 2007, Barack Obama officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. This marked the beginning of his campaign for the 2008 election, where he would eventually become the first African American president in U.S. history. source: npr.org
- 11 Feb Portugal Legalizes Abortion via Referendum: In a landmark national referendum, Portuguese voters decisively agreed to legalize abortion, marking a significant moment in the country's social and reproductive rights history.
- 13 Feb Ma Ying-jeou wins Taiwan presidential election: On February 13, 2007, Ma Ying-jeou was confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Kuomintang party in Taiwan. His political transition marked a significant shift in Taiwan's political landscape, emphasizing closer ties with mainland China. source: bbc.com
- 14 Feb Turkmenistan Presidential Election: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was elected as the President of Turkmenistan, marking a significant political transition in the Central Asian nation.
- 17 Feb Barack Obama announces presidential candidacy: On February 17, 2007, Senator Barack Obama officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. His announcement marked the beginning of a historic campaign that would lead to his election in 2008. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 Feb East Timor-Indonesia Reconciliation Effort: East Timor and Indonesia established a joint truth commission to promote reconciliation following the violent 1999 independence referendum, signaling a diplomatic effort to heal historical wounds.
- 21 Feb Quebec General Election Called: Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec, Canada, called for a general election to be held on March 26, signaling a significant political moment for the province.
- 25 Feb East Timor Presidential Candidacy: Jose Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister of East Timor, announced his intention to run for president, indicating a significant political transition in the young nation.
- 28 Feb Senator John McCain announces 2008 presidential campaign: On February 28, 2007, U.S. Senator John McCain announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. McCain, a Republican from Arizona, had previously run for president in 2000 and was a prominent figure in U.S. politics, known for his military service and tenure in the Senate. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Mar Northern Ireland Assembly Election: The Northern Ireland Assembly election was held, allowing voters to elect new members to the regional legislative body, marking an important democratic process in the region's ongoing political development.
- 12 Mar Ron Paul Announces Presidential Candidacy: Ron Paul, a Representative from Texas, officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 United States Presidential Election, representing a libertarian-leaning Republican platform.
- 13 Mar Russian Election Commission Head Fired: Alexander Veshnyakov is dismissed from heading Russia's Central Election Commission after criticizing electoral law changes that favor United Russia, a party closely associated with Vladimir Putin.
- 16 Mar Pacific Islands Forum Calls for Fiji Elections: Foreign ministers from Pacific Islands Forum countries met in Vanuatu and called on Fiji to hold elections within two years, highlighting diplomatic efforts to promote democratic governance in the region.
- 18 Mar Finnish Parliamentary Elections: Finland held its parliamentary elections, with the centre-left coalition of the Centre Party and Social Democratic Party securing another term under Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's leadership. The National Coalition Party performed strongly, finishing with just one seat less than the Centre Party.
- 24 Mar Australian Labor Party Retains New South Wales Government: In state elections, the Australian Labor Party, led by Morris Iemma, successfully retained control of the New South Wales government, despite experiencing a slight swing against them in the polls.
- 25 Mar Donald Tsang Re-elected in Hong Kong: Donald Tsang won a second term as Chief Executive of Hong Kong in the city's first contested election, marking a significant moment in Hong Kong's political development.
- 26 Mar Quebec Provincial Election: In the Canadian province of Quebec, the Liberal Party wins a National Assembly election, securing 48 seats out of 125 and forming a minority government.
- 02 Apr Ukrainian President Dissolves Parliament: During a nationally televised address, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko dissolved the parliament and called for early parliamentary elections, creating significant political tension.
- 08 Apr Zimbabwe Catholic bishops challenge Mugabe: On April 8, 2007, Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops issued a pastoral letter criticizing President Robert Mugabe's government for bad governance and corruption. They called for a new, people-driven constitution and free and fair elections to avoid further bloodshed and potential mass uprisings. source: zimbabwesituation.com
- 09 Apr New York Primary Election Date Change: New York Governor Eliot Spitzer signed legislation to move the state's primary elections to February 5, 2008, potentially influencing the presidential nomination process.
- 14 Apr Mass protests against Erdogan in Ankara: On April 14, 2007, an estimated 300,000 people marched in Ankara to protest against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential election. Protesters feared that his election would threaten Turkey's secular state. The demonstration was one of the largest political rallies in Ankara at that time. source: rferl.org
- 17 Apr Australian Labor Party Policy Change: Kevin Rudd, leader of the Australian Labor Party, announced significant changes to the party's industrial relations policy, including introducing the right to a secret ballot before initiating a strike.
- 21 Apr Nigerian Presidential Election: On April 21, 2007, Nigeria held its presidential election, resulting in Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) being declared the winner. The election was marred by widespread allegations of fraud, violence, and intimidation, leading to protests and international criticism. Despite these issues, Yar'Adua was sworn in on May 29, 2007. source: aljazeera.com
- 26 Apr Syrian Parliamentary Elections Held: The 2007 Syrian parliamentary elections were conducted with the Baath Party-led National Progressive Front winning the largest number of seats. Opposition groups boycotted the election, claiming the process was undemocratic and predetermined.
- 28 Apr Irish General Election Called: President of Ireland Mary McAleese dissolved the 29th Irish Dáil and called for a general election, signaling a significant moment in Irish democratic process.
- 01 May Turkish presidential election annulled: Turkey's Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the presidential election, citing insufficient parliamentary attendance, leading to a new vote scheduled for May 6. source: pbs.org
- 02 May French presidential election debate: French presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal participated in a televised debate, focusing on economic policies and national security. source: france24.com
- 03 May Scottish National Party Achieves Historic Electoral Milestone: Local government elections were held in Scotland and most of England, with the Scottish National Party (SNP) becoming the largest party in Scotland for the first time in their political history, marking a significant shift in Scottish political landscape.
- 04 May Scottish National Party Electoral Breakthrough: In the 2007 Scottish Parliament election held on May 3, the Scottish National Party (SNP) emerged as the largest party with 47 seats, narrowly defeating the incumbent Scottish Labour Party, which secured 46 seats. This marked a significant shift in Scottish politics, leading to Alex Salmond's election as First Minister on May 16. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 06 May Political Tension in Turkey: Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, withdrew his candidacy in the 2007 Turkish Presidential Election after failing to secure support from secular lawmakers.
- 09 May East Timor Presidential Election: East Timor conducts its second round of presidential voting, a crucial democratic process since gaining independence from Indonesia in 2002.
- 11 May José Ramos-Horta wins East Timor presidential election: On May 11, 2007, José Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, secured victory in East Timor's presidential election, defeating former guerrilla Francisco Guterres. source: aljazeera.com
- 14 May Philippine Senatorial Elections: The Philippines held its senatorial elections, a crucial democratic process for selecting national legislators.
- 15 May Philippine Election Violence: The death toll from violence connected to the Philippine general elections rises to 126, highlighting the ongoing challenges of electoral integrity and political conflict in the country.
- 16 May Nicolas Sarkozy inaugurated as French President: On May 16, 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy was inaugurated as the 23rd President of France. His election marked a significant shift in French politics, with promises of economic reforms and a more assertive foreign policy. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 May Algerian Parliamentary Elections: Algerian voters participate in national elections for the People's National Assembly under tight security measures following recent terrorist attacks.
- 18 May Kazakhstan Extends Presidential Term Limits: The Parliament of Kazakhstan voted to allow President Nursultan Nazarbayev to stand for unlimited terms, signaling potential democratic regression and concentration of political power.
- 19 May Romanian presidential impeachment referendum held: On May 19, 2007, Romania held a national referendum to decide on the impeachment of President Traian Băsescu. The referendum was initiated by the Romanian Parliament, which suspended Băsescu from office, leading to a public vote on his removal. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 May Bill Richardson presidential campaign launch: Bill Richardson officially launched his presidential campaign on May 21, 2007, in a bid for the Democratic nomination. The former New Mexico governor emphasized his experience in foreign policy and domestic issues during his announcement. source: nytimes.com
- 22 May Bill Richardson Enters Presidential Race: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson officially declared his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, adding diversity and executive experience to the primary field.
- 24 May Irish General Election 2007: On May 24, 2007, Ireland held its general election, resulting in Fianna Fáil securing 78 seats, Fine Gael 51 seats, and the Progressive Democrats losing six of their eight seats. The Green Party entered government for the first time, forming a coalition with Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 29 May Syria's Uncontested Presidential Election: Bashar al-Assad was re-elected as President of Syria in an election where he was the sole candidate, highlighting the country's authoritarian political structure.
- 31 May Valdis Zatlers Elected President of Latvia: Valdis Zatlers was elected as the President of Latvia, defeating Aivars Endzins in the Latvian presidential election. This democratic process highlighted Latvia's commitment to peaceful political transitions.
- 01 Jun Ukraine Prepares for Parliamentary Election: The Ukrainian parliament approved a legislative package setting the stage for a parliamentary election scheduled for September 30, marking a significant moment in the country's democratic process.
- 02 Jun Algeria's Cabinet Reshuffle: Following recent elections, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika accepted his Cabinet's resignation, with Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem likely to retain his position in the new Cabinet.
- 10 Jun French Legislative Election First Round: France held the first round of its legislative election, which would significantly impact the country's political landscape following Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential victory.
- 12 Jun Ehud Barak Wins Labor Party Leadership: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak secured victory in the Israeli Labor Party leadership election, winning 51.5% of votes against Ami Ayalon's 47.5%, signaling a potential political comeback.
- 17 Jun French National Assembly election: The French National Assembly election took place, resulting in significant political shifts within the country. The election was marked by high voter turnout and was seen as a referendum on the policies of the ruling party. The results had implications for France's future governance. source: bbc.com
- 19 Jun Fiji's election commitment: On June 19, 2007, the Fijian government reaffirmed its commitment to hold elections by March 2009. This announcement was part of efforts to restore democratic governance following a military coup in 2006. source: bbc.com
- 20 Jun Kazakhstan Dissolves Parliament: President Nursultan Nazarbayev dissolved the Kazakhstani parliament, triggering a legislative election scheduled for August 18, 2007, in a significant political development.
- 26 Jun Pope Benedict XVI Reforms Papal Election: Pope Benedict XVI reinstates traditional papal election laws, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for a successful candidate. This move reinforces the historical electoral process of the Catholic Church. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 30 Jun Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Election: A parliamentary election was held in Papua New Guinea, allowing citizens to democratically choose their national representatives and potentially shape the country's political landscape.
- 01 Jul Austria Lowers Voting Age: On July 1, 2007, Austria lowered its voting age to 16, making it the first European Union country to do so. This change applied to all national elections and referendums. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 04 Jul East Timor election results announced: On July 4, 2007, East Timor announced the results of its parliamentary elections, marking a significant step in the country's democratic process. The elections were closely monitored by international observers. source: reuters.com
- 09 Jul Indian Vice-Presidential Election Notification: The Election Commission of India issued an official notification for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for August 10, 2007, signaling an important democratic process.
- 21 Jul Temporary presidential transfer in the United States: On July 21, 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush underwent a routine medical procedure, temporarily transferring presidential authority to Vice President Dick Cheney. The transfer was brief, lasting approximately two hours, and was part of standard protocol during medical procedures requiring anesthesia. source: archives.gov
- 23 Jul Democratic Presidential Candidates Gather in South Carolina: Democratic Party candidates convened in Charleston, South Carolina, for discussions and potential strategizing related to the 2008 United States Presidential Election.
- 30 Jul Czech Village Rejects US Missile Defense Plan: The 15th Czech village voted overwhelmingly (97%) against the US plan to install anti-ballistic missiles near a military base. Despite the local referendum, the vote held no binding effect on the national government.
- 05 Aug Lebanese By-Elections: Two by-elections were held in Lebanon to replace assassinated politicians Pierre Amine Gemayel and Walid Eido. Mohamad Amin Itani and Camille Khoury were declared winners, with Amin Gemayel filing a complaint about Khoury's victory.
- 06 Aug Turkey's Political Transition: On August 6, 2007, Turkey's parliament elected Abdullah Gül as the country's 11th president. Gül's election marked a significant political transition, as he was the first Islamist-rooted politician to hold the presidency in modern Turkish history. source: reuters.com
- 09 Aug South Carolina Republican Primary Date Change: The South Carolina Republican Party officially moved its primary election date to January 19, potentially influencing the early dynamics of the 2008 presidential nomination process.
- 13 Aug Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Election: The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea convenes to elect a Speaker and Prime Minister. Sir Michael Somare is re-elected as Prime Minister, continuing his leadership of the country.
- 19 Aug Thailand's constitutional referendum: On August 19, 2007, Thailand held a constitutional referendum to approve a new constitution following a military coup. The referendum was a significant step in the country's political transition and aimed to restore democratic governance. source: bbc.com
- 21 Aug Laura Richardson Wins Special Congressional Election: Laura Richardson of the U.S. Democratic Party was elected in a special election for California's 37th congressional district, successfully replacing the late Juanita Millender McDonald.
- 25 Aug Nauruan Parliamentary Election: Citizens of Nauru participated in their parliamentary elections, exercising their democratic right and determining the political leadership of this small Pacific island nation.
- 26 Aug Nauru Parliamentary Election: Ludwig Scotty's government secured an overwhelming victory in the Nauruan parliamentary election. Rene Harris emerged as the sole winner from the opposition, signaling a strong mandate for the incumbent government.
- 28 Aug Abdullah Gül elected president of Turkey: On August 28, 2007, Abdullah Gül was elected as the 11th President of Turkey. His election marked a significant political event, as he was the first president with an Islamist background to hold the office in modern Turkey. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Sep Bruce Golding Elected Prime Minister of Jamaica: Bruce Golding of the Jamaica Labour Party won a historic election, ending eighteen years of People's National Party rule. He secured 50.1% of the popular vote and won 32 out of 60 parliamentary seats, marking a significant political transition.
- 04 Sep Jamaica Election Outcome Contested: Jamaica Labour Party appears to be leading the election with 31 seats compared to 29 for the People's National Party. Current Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has called for a recount of marginal seats, indicating a closely contested and potentially contentious electoral process.
- 05 Sep Fred Thompson Enters 2008 Republican Presidential Race: Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, adding a new dynamic to the upcoming election campaign.
- 10 Sep Norway Local Elections: Norway conducted local elections for county and municipal councils, demonstrating the country's democratic processes at the regional and local levels.
- 11 Sep Bruce Golding elected Prime Minister of Jamaica: Bruce Golding was sworn in as Jamaica's eighth Prime Minister on September 11, 2007, following the Jamaica Labour Party's victory in the September 3 general elections. source: jamaica55.gov.jm
- 12 Sep Russian government resigns ahead of elections: On September 12, 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and his entire government. Fradkov cited the approaching parliamentary and presidential elections as the reason for his decision, aiming to provide the president with full freedom in making decisions, including personnel changes. source: abc.net.au
- 14 Sep Viktor Zubkov appointed Prime Minister of Russia: On September 14, 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Viktor Zubkov as the new Prime Minister of Russia, following the resignation of Mikhail Fradkov. Zubkov, a former financial crime investigator, was nominated to lead the government ahead of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. source: cnbc.com
- 16 Sep Greek parliamentary election: On September 16, 2007, Greece held its parliamentary elections. The New Democracy party, led by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, secured 41.8% of the vote, winning 152 seats in the 300-seat parliament. The main opposition, PASOK, led by George Papandreou, received 38.1% of the vote, earning 102 seats. Despite a reduced majority, New Democracy formed the government. source: aljazeera.com
- 20 Sep Pakistan Presidential Election Date Set: The Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the Presidential Election would be held on October 6, 2007.
- 21 Sep Nelson Mandela alive despite presidential gaffe: On September 21, 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush mistakenly referred to Nelson Mandela's death during a press conference. Bush stated, "Mandela's dead because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas," which was a misstatement. The Nelson Mandela Foundation promptly reassured the public that Mandela was alive and well. source: abc.net.au
- 27 Sep Musharraf's Presidential Election Nomination: Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, filed his nomination for the upcoming presidential election, which would be held without his Army rank on October 6, 2007.
- 28 Sep Pakistan Supreme Court Ruling on Musharraf's Election: Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that President Pervez Musharraf could simultaneously run for re-election while maintaining his position as military chief, a controversial decision that raised significant questions about democratic processes in Pakistan.
- 30 Sep Ukrainian parliamentary re-elections: Ukrainian parliamentary re-elections were held on September 30, 2007, following a political crisis that led to the dissolution of the parliament. The elections were closely monitored by international observers to ensure fairness and transparency. source: bbc.com
- 02 Oct Pakistani opposition MPs resign over presidential election: On October 2, 2007, more than 80 opposition members of Pakistan's parliament resigned in protest against the upcoming presidential election, challenging President Musharraf's eligibility to contest. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Oct Nepal Constituent Assembly Elections Delayed: The Seven Party Alliance and former Communist Party of Nepal rebels postpone elections for the Constituent Assembly due to unresolved disputes about the republic's structure and voting system.
- 06 Oct Pakistani presidential election: On October 6, 2007, Pakistan held a presidential election. The election was marked by controversy, including the dismissal of the chief justice and the return of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from exile. source: bbc.com
- 09 Oct Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Election: A provincial election was held in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, with the Conservative government of Premier Danny Williams winning an increased majority.
- 13 Oct New Zealand Local Government Elections: Local government elections were conducted across New Zealand, allowing citizens to participate in democratic processes at the municipal level.
- 14 Oct Italian Democratic Party Leadership Election: A landmark democratic process unfolded as three million Italians participated in voting for the leader of the newly formed Democratic Party. Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome, secured a decisive victory with 75% of the votes, signaling strong party unity and public support.
- 16 Oct Expanded UN Security Council Elections: On October 16, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly held elections to expand the Security Council. The expansion aimed to make the council more representative and effective, with new members serving two-year terms. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 20 Oct Bobby Jindal elected as Louisiana governor: On October 20, 2007, Bobby Jindal was elected as the governor of Louisiana, becoming the first Indian-American to hold such a position in the United States. His election was seen as a significant milestone in American politics. source: nytimes.com
- 21 Oct Polish Parliamentary Elections: On October 21, 2007, Poland held parliamentary elections for the Sejm and Senate. The Civic Platform (PO) party won 41.5% of the vote, securing 209 seats in the Sejm and 60 seats in the Senate, defeating the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 Oct Kyrgyzstan constitutional referendum: Kyrgyzstan held a constitutional referendum to approve amendments that would shift the balance of power between the president and parliament. The proposed changes aimed to strengthen parliamentary democracy and reduce presidential authority. The referendum was part of the country's ongoing political reforms. source: irishtimes.com
- 25 Oct Tokelauan Referendum Fails: A referendum on self-determination for Tokelau was rejected, with 16 votes against the proposed change in political status.
- 26 Oct UN Security Council Urges Nepal's Election Process: The UN Security Council called on Nepal to expedite the election of its Constituent Assembly, emphasizing the importance of democratic transition and political stability.
- 28 Oct Argentina presidential election: On October 28, 2007, Argentina held its presidential election, resulting in Cristina Fernández de Kirchner winning the presidency. This election was notable for its high voter turnout and the significant role of women in politics. source: reuters.com
- 01 Nov Bangladesh Election Commission Restructured: The Election Commission of Bangladesh was officially separated from the Judiciary department, marking a significant administrative reform in the country's electoral governance system.
- 04 Nov Guatemala Presidential Election: Álvaro Colom wins the second round of the presidential elections in Guatemala, marking a significant political transition in the country.
- 06 Nov Legislative and Gubernatorial Elections in US States: Legislative elections were conducted in Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia, with Kentucky and Mississippi also holding gubernatorial elections, demonstrating the active democratic process in these states.
- 08 Nov Pakistan Announces Election Timeline: Pakistan Television reported that President Pervez Musharraf committed to holding national elections before February 15, 2008, amid ongoing political transitions in the country.
- 13 Nov Danish Parliamentary Elections: On November 13, 2007, Denmark held general elections for all 179 seats in the Folketing, the Danish Parliament. The Liberal Party (Venstre) led by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen secured 46 seats, while the Social Democratic Party won 45 seats. The newly formed New Alliance party gained 5 seats, marking its first entry into the parliament. source: voanews.com
- 14 Nov Danish Prime Minister Wins Third Term: Anders Fogh Rasmussen is re-elected as Danish prime minister for a third term following early elections to the Folketing (Danish Parliament).
- 17 Nov Kosovo holds parliamentary elections: On November 17, 2007, Kosovo conducted parliamentary elections, marking a significant step in the region's political development and international recognition. source: reuters.com
- 23 Nov Lebanese Presidential Vacancy: Emile Lahoud resigned as Lebanese President, creating a significant political vacuum and sparking a dispute over presidential succession.
- 24 Nov Kasparov detained after anti-Putin rally in Moscow: On November 24, 2007, opposition leader Garry Kasparov was detained by police in Moscow after attempting to march on Russia's Central Election Commission following a rally that drew several thousand people. Kasparov was charged with organizing an unsanctioned demonstration and resisting arrest, leading to a five-day jail sentence. source: washingtonpost.com
- 25 Nov Croatian Parliamentary Elections: Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia, with the opposition Social Democrats taking a narrow lead. The election campaign focused on critical issues such as corruption, economic challenges, and the country's potential European Union membership.
- 26 Nov Nawaz Sharif's Political Comeback: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced his intention to file nomination papers for the 2008 general elections, challenging the political landscape under President Pervez Musharraf's administration.
- 01 Dec Benazir Bhutto launches election campaign: On December 1, 2007, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto initiated her election campaign for the upcoming January 8, 2008, general elections. She unveiled her party's manifesto, emphasizing democratic reforms and economic development. Despite calls from opposition groups to boycott the elections, Bhutto confirmed her participation, stating she was entering the polls 'under protest.' source: thedailystar.net
- 02 Dec Venezuela constitutional referendum: On December 2, 2007, Venezuela conducted a constitutional referendum. The proposed amendments aimed to expand presidential powers and eliminate term limits. The referendum was narrowly defeated, with the majority of voters rejecting the proposed changes. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Dec Nawaz Sharif Rejected from Pakistani Elections: The Election Commission of Pakistan rejected the nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif, a former Prime Minister, for the upcoming parliamentary elections, creating significant political tension.
- 18 Dec Jacob Zuma ousts Thabo Mbeki in ANC leadership: On December 18, 2007, Jacob Zuma defeated Thabo Mbeki in the African National Congress (ANC) leadership election, securing 2,329 votes to Mbeki's 1,505. This victory at the ANC's 52nd National Conference in Polokwane set the stage for Zuma to become South Africa's president in 2009. source: abc.net.au
- 19 Dec Lee Myung-bak Wins South Korean Presidential Election: A presidential election takes place in South Korea, with Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party winning decisively with 50 percent of the vote, defeating two major opponents and signaling a potential shift in the country's political landscape.
- 23 Dec Thai general election: On December 23, 2007, Thailand held a general election aimed at restoring democracy after a military coup. The election was significant for the political landscape of the country. source: bbc.com
- 27 Dec Kenyan presidential election controversy: The 2007 Kenyan presidential election was marred by allegations of vote rigging and violence. Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner, leading to widespread protests and ethnic clashes across the country. source: bbc.com
- 30 Dec 2007 Kenyan presidential election controversy: The 2007 Kenyan presidential election was marked by significant controversy and violence. Following the election results, protests erupted, leading to a humanitarian crisis and international condemnation. source: bbc.com
- 31 Dec Kenyan Presidential Election Riots: Following the announcement of President Mwai Kibaki's victory in the December 27, 2007, presidential election, widespread riots erupted across Kenya. Opposition supporters, particularly in areas like Nairobi's Kibera slum and Kisumu, protested the results, alleging electoral fraud. The unrest led to numerous fatalities and significant displacement of people. source: aljazeera.com
What happened in 2007?
Discover what the world looked like in 2007: