June 3 — Europe/Former Soviet Republics: MOLDOVA
Moldova’s parliament fails to elect a president for the second time. The Communists were short of one vote to elect their candidate, with the opposition boycotting the vote and insisting on canceling the April’s elections. According to the constitution, the parliament now has to dissolve itself and call new parliamentary elections.
June 5 — Latin America: PERU
More than 50 people die, including two dozens of policemen, during violent clashes between Peru’s police and the country’s indigenous groups protesting a legislation that allows foreign investors to exploit resources in the Amazon forest. (June 19): Peru’s parliament revokes the controversial foreign investment laws that caused uproar among the Amazon Indians and weeks of protests.
June 7 — Middle East: LEBANON
The pro-Western March 14 coalition led by Saad Hariri, the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, wins Lebanon’s parliamentary elections, securing 71 seats out of 128. Its rival, pro-Syrian Hezbollah alliance, comes second, winning 57 seats. (June 27): Saad Hariri is nominated prime minister.
June 7 — Europe: EUROPEAN UNION
The Europeans across the 27 EU-member countries conclude casting their votes in the four-day long elections for the European Parliament. The 736 members of the parliament are chosen for a term of five years. Voters choose representatives from among their own national parties, who then join EU groups of the similar nature. The center-right European People’s Party (EPP) secures the most seats, 265, while the center-left Party of European Socialists (PES) wins 183, and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) 84 seats. Other parties, such as the Green-European Freedom Alliance and marginal far-right and anti-immigration parties, also pick up some seats. The voter turnout stands at 43 percent, the lowest in the last 30 years. The strong showing of the conservatives secures the second term for Jose Manuel Barroso as the European Commission president.
June 8 — Europe: UNITED KINGDOM
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces criticism from his Labour Party members and calls for resignation after dismal showing of his party in the European parliamentary elections. The Labour Party won only 15 percent of the vote, coming behind the center-right Conservative Party and the anti-European Union Independence Party (UKIP). Another party that gains seats in the European Parliament is the far-right British National Party.
June 8 — Africa: GABON
Gabon’s president, Omar Bongo, dies at the age of 79. He came to power in 1967, which makes him the longest serving leader in Africa. Under the constitution, the Senate leader will take over as interim president and organize elections within the next 45 days. The opposition is questioning whether an election in Gabon can be fair as Bongo made sure that his son, Ali-Ben Bongo, would succeed him.
June 12 — Middle East: IRAN
Iran’s hardliner, incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is declared a winner of the presidential election. His opponent, pro-reform Mir Hossein Mousavi, challenges the result, alleging fraud. Hundreds of thousands of his supporters take to the streets and demand new elections. The protests are the largest since the Iranian revolution. At least 30 people are killed and hundreds arrested. (June 16): The Guardian Council, Iran’s most powerful clerical body, orders a partial recount. (June 23): The Guardian Council announces that no major polling irregularities were found and confirms Ahmadinejad’s victory. The disputed election, followed by the waves of violent protests, leaves Iran’s ruling elite divided, undermines the public’s respect for the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, and creates a new opposition group.
June 12 — East Asia/International Organizations: NORTH KOREA/UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopts tougher sanctions against North Korea after its May nuclear tests. They include the inspection of North Korean ships and wider trade and arms embargo. In response, North Korea says it is seeking to enrich uranium for the development of nuclear weapons.
June 14 — Middle East: ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he will agree to a creation of a separate Palestinian state, but only after the following conditions are met: the Palestinian state would have no army; it would accept Israel as a Jewish state; Jerusalem would be the capital of Israel; refugee issue would not be negotiated; and Jewish settlements would continue. Palestinians reject the Israeli Prime Minister conditions.
June 22 — Europe: RUSSIA
The pro-Russian President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov of Russia’s southern republic of Ingushetia is injured in the suicide assassination attack carried out by Muslim separatists. This attack is one of many recent violent assaults in Ingushetia. The attack is a major blow for Russia, which has put efforts to keep stability in Northern Caucasus.
June 23 — East Asia: CHINA
China’s prominent writer and political activist, Liu Xiaobo, is formally arrested after six months of detention. The Chinese authorities charge him with subversion of the state and attempts to overthrow the socialist system. His detention coincided with the publication of Charter 08, which called for political reforms in China. Xiaobo has been an active political activist for more than 20 years, suffering imprisonment before.
June 25 — Former Soviet Republics/North America: KYRGYZSTAN/UNITED STATES
Kyrgyzstan changes its previous decision to allow the United States to continue using the Manas airbase after the U.S. tripled its rent offer. The base, however, can be used only for non-combat supplies. The Manas base in Kyrgyzstan is the U.S. only base in Central Asia.
June 28 — Latin America: HONDURAS
The military in Honduras arrests President Manuel Zelaya and forces him into exile. The coup happens just hours before a referendum ordered by the president, but opposed by the parliament, the Supreme Court, and the military, to amend the constitution to extend his time in office. The coup is condemned by international community.
June 30 — North America/Middle East: UNITED STATES/IRAQ
The United States withdraws its troops from Iraqi towns as scheduled and officially hands over the security to the Iraqi forces. The pullback comes six years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. All troops are expected to leave Iraq by the end of 2011. With the U.S. troops gone, Iraqi forces face serious security challenges. In just past two weeks, about 250 people were killed in violent attacks across the country.