NEWS

Merkel moves a step closer to new Germany coalition government

Published

6 years ago

January 12, 2018

Chancellor Angela Merkel said her conservatives reached a breakthrough deal Friday with Germany’s second biggest party, the Social Democrats, toward building a new coalition government that would give Europe a “fresh start”.

After more than 24 hours of talks and months of political paralysis, red-eyed party chiefs and their negotiating teams reached an in-principle agreement to start formal coalition talks that could lead in coming months to a new government for the biggest EU economy.

In the all-night negotiations in Berlin, Merkel and her Christian Democrats, Horst Seehofer of her Bavarian allies the CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) chief Martin Schulz hammered out a 28-page paper that will form the basis for the talks ahead.

The hope was to form a new government “before Easter”, which falls on April 1, said Seehofer.

In their joint blueprint, the three parties agreed on key policy outlines — to join EU partner France in a push to “strengthen and reform” the 19-member eurozone, to limit the controversial influx of asylum seekers to Germany to around 200,000 a year, and to refrain from tax hikes given the healthy state of state coffers.

Merkel voiced relief that the parties had passed a milestone, telling a press conference that “the world is not waiting for us — we need a fresh start in Europe. A fresh start for Europe is also a fresh start for Germany.”

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the German deal was “significant” and “positive” for the EU’s future.

Despite the deal, potential pitfalls remain, including upcoming votes by sceptical SPD delegates and then party members that could yet derail plans for another left-right “grand coalition”, the constellation that has ruled Germany for the past four years and remains in charge as a caretaker government.

– Marathon talks –
Germany has been in political limbo since a September 24 election in which Merkel failed to win a clear majority — in part due to the rise of the far-right and anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) which took millions of votes from all major parties.

Merkel initially turned to two smaller parties, the Free Democrats and Greens, to form a new coalition government for her fourth term. But when those talks collapsed in November, she had to once more woo a reluctant SPD for a new power pact.

Both Merkel and Schulz went into the talks Thursday warning of “big obstacles” ahead, but also knowing that their political lives were on the line.

“The negotiations are not just about a coalition, but also their careers,” said Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University. “It would be the end for all three if this coalition does not come about.”

In the tough talks, all sides have been under pressure to deliver some of their parties’ signature policies.

A key SPD position was reflected in a pledge that Germany would, “in close partnership with France, sustainably strengthen and reform the eurozone so that the euro can better withstand global crises”.

But the party failed with a demand to raise taxes for the very rich.

The embattled mainstream parties have also struggled to fend off the encroaching far right, which has seized on anger over a mass influx of more than one million migrants and refugees since 2015.

Roughly in line with a core CSU demand, they agreed that “the number of new arrivals… should not exceed the range of 180,000 to 220,000 per year”.

– Merkel ‘past zenith’ –
A new coalition deal can still be torpedoed when SPD delegates, and later rank-and-file members, get to vote on whether the party should once again govern in Merkel’s shadow.

Scepticism is high after the SPD scored a humiliating result in September, its worst of the post-war era. That initially led Schulz to vow to head into opposition to rebuild the party’s fighting spirit and voter appeal.

The SPD’s youth wing chief Kevin Kuehnert has said he would embark on a national tour to press his case against a new grand coalition, known as “GroKo” in German political shorthand.

“The mood of the party rank-and-file with regards to a grand coalition is still grim. That’s why I think we have a good chance,” said Kuehnert.

Opinion polls suggest most Germans are less than enthusiastic about a new conservative-SPD alliance, with a Focus magazine survey giving it just 30 percent support.

Political observers also judge that Merkel, damaged by the poor election outcome, is now in the twilight phase of her reign.

“Angela Merkel is past her zenith,” Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin’s Free University told business daily Handelsblatt.

“In the interest of her party’s electoral strength, she should not stay in office for the entire legislative term.”

Guardian

NEWS

Adebayo Salami Celebrates Five Decades In Nollywood

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Adebayo Salami celebrates five decades in Nollywood | Fab.ng

Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, also known as Oga Bello, has been in the movie business for 50 years! To celebrate this achievement, the 72-year-old actor posted a black-and-white picture on Instagram with some of his fellow actors. He thanked God for his successful career and wonderful family. Oga Bello also said that even though actors might get tired sometimes, they never truly retire from their passion for acting.

He wrote, “With over 5 decades of committed practice in Nollywood, I am indeed most grateful to Almighty God for His unending blessings over my career and family. Actor only gets tired, actor does not retire. Get ready for what is coming soon.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adebayo Salami (@adebayo.salami)

Adebayo Salami’s acting career started way back in 1964. He joined a group called Young Concert Party, led by Ojo Ladipo (Baba Mero). This group’s name changed a few times, from Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group to finally Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group. When Baba Mero passed away in 1978, Salami became the leader of the group. This put him in the spotlight and helped him get noticed.

Salami also made movie history. He appeared in the very first Yoruba film ever made, called “Ajani Ogun.” The lead role in that movie was played by Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of well-known actors Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan.

In 1985, Salami didn’t just act, he also produced his first movie, “Ogun Ajaye,” with his Awada Kerikeri group. Since then, he’s become a well-rounded movie talent. He acts, directs, and produces movies all the time, making him a big player in the Yoruba film industry.

It seems acting talent runs in the family! Salami has two sons, Femi and Tope Adebayo, who have become successful actors and movie producers themselves.

Get more updates here.

NEWS

Mayorkun Finally Addresses Nicki Dabarbie’s Ritual Allegations

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Mayorkun addresses Nicki Dabarbie’s ritual allegations | Fab.ng

Afrobeats singer Mayorkun has responded to claims made by social media influencer Nicki Dabarbie. She accused him and his colleague, Skiibii (Abbey Elias), of attempting to use her for a ritual.

On April 19, 2024, Nicki Dabarbie accused Mayorkun and Skiibii of plotting to use her for a ‘money ritual’. She supported her claims with pictures and videos describing the incident.

Mayorkun took to his X page to deny all the allegations. He stated that he had never met Nicki Dabarbie and was unaware of her existence before the allegations.

Mayorkun mentioned that he initially wanted to let the court handle the situation, but the spread of false information prompted him to speak out. He stressed that he did not know Dabarbie and warned fans about the dangers of cancellation culture and its potential harm to his life and career.

He wrote:

“You know, I was going to let this remain as a court case but when I checked the comments under some of the blogs where these ridiculous allegations were posted, I was quickly reminded of how gullible most people are on the internet and how they are ready to run along, spreading any negative news without any form of clarity.

“Just for the record, I never met that person on the said day, still never seen that person till this day, never knew about that person’s existence not until those allegations came up.. yet she claimed I put ‘something’ in her drink. A lot of people believed that story, and you think I’ll let this libelous claim fly? No!”

You know, I was going to let this remain as a court case but when I checked the comments under some of the blogs where these ridiculous allegations were posted, I was quickly reminded of how gullible most people are on the internet and how they are ready to run along, spreading…

— MAYORKUN (@Mayorkun) May 15, 2024

He added,

“I wanna re-instate, I have never seen this person before, even as I am typing this! I still haven’t set my eyes on this person.. Like, what else can I say? How else can I prove this? There’s no need for me to ask for an apology where I won’t get any. I just needed to say this publicly and get it off my chest.. cos if it was a case of ‘cancellation’ as many people are quick to do, I for don go back to dey find work for bank.”

He stated that he would pursue additional charges against her, even though she is currently in prison on unrelated charges.

Earlier, Mayorkun had threatened to file a N1 billion lawsuit against Nicki Dabarbie.

Get more updates here.

MOVIES

“Stop Making Films Where Nigerians Travel Abroad Dey Mumu” – Yul Edochie Tells Filmmakers

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2024

Reporter

Yul Edochie - stop films where Nigerians act foolish abroad | Fab.ng

Nigerian actor Yul Edochie is calling out Nollywood movies for a tired trope. He’s criticising films where Nigerian characters travel abroad and then act immature or foolish.

Edochie believes these portrayals are a bad look for Nigerians. He argues that Western movies typically show their characters going abroad and becoming more resourceful or successful. He wants Nollywood to showcase a more positive and realistic image of Nigerians on the global stage.

“We sell ourselves short with such storylines. Oyibo people will never make a movie where a white man is foolish on African soil. Instead, they’ll make the white man smarter than all the Africans in the movie,” the actor posted on Instagram on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yul Edochie (@yuledochie)

He added, “It’s intentional; they use movies to sell themselves as superheroes, while we use ours to run ourselves down.”

Edochie isn’t mincing words. Films like “Osuofia in London,” “Mr Ibu in London,” and “30 Days in Atlanta” are examples of what he’s criticising. These movies all follow the same pattern: Nigerians travelling abroad and then acting out of character.

Edochie is urging Nollywood filmmakers to move away from these stereotypes.

He wants them to portray Nigerian characters abroad in a more well-rounded way. He believes Nigerians can be shown as intelligent, resourceful, and successful on the international stage, not just goofy or immature.

“Let’s make movies where a Nigerian goes abroad and becomes the focal point for Oyibo people.

“He or she always walks with shoulders high, with so much pride and dignity, always on Nigerian wears, and teaches Oyibo people beautiful things they never knew about us.

“Offers traditional solutions to problems and becomes a leader over there.

“Let’s sell ourselves as superheroes as well,” he said.

Yul Edochie isn’t new to the Nollywood scene. He started his acting career in 2005, appearing alongside veterans like Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa in the movie “The Exquires.” His big break came in 2007 with a starring role alongside A-listers Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in “Wind of Glory.”

Interestingly, acting runs in the family; Yul Edochie is the son of Nollywood legend Pete Edochie. He’s also passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience. In 2015, he even founded the Yul Edochie Film Academy in Lagos.

Check out more updates here.