Germany's center-left government wants to lower the voting age for nationwide elections from 18 to 16. Many young people support the idea, but the majority of the population has expressed skepticism.

A new bill prohibiting gender reassignment has passed its first reading in the Russian lower house. It’s a further attack against LGBTQ rights in Russia.

Malians are due to take part in a referendum on Sunday that paves the way for elections and democratic rule in 2024. Repeated postponements and two military coups have stood in the way of the poll since 2017.

The government plans a 75% emission cut by 2050 but the right-wing Swiss People's Party warned the plan will cause energy prices to rise. A separate vote on higher corporate taxes is being held.

After the military seized power in Mali three years ago, people are now being called upon to vote on a new constitution. According to the authors of the draft, it will re-establish democracy in Mali and help prevent the insecurity and corruption that once led to the military coup.

The threat of not being eligible for office for the next two decades hangs over the opposition lawmakers who were considering a boycott of the national ballot.

The amendments are expected to facilitate a transition to civilian leadership in the junta-ruled West African country. Observers voiced concerns over last week's referendum, saying the vote was marred by irregularities.

The tally is being disputed by the opposition party, which accused the election commission of lacking transparency. Bio is running for a second term against 12 opponents, including his biggest rival Samura Kamara.

The Nature Restoration Act had become a contentious issue within the European Parliament, but climate activists welcomed the acceptance of the bill. Farmers fear they could lose valuable agricultural land.

The run-up has has been dominated by concerns over corruption, and the exclusion of a leading candidate.

The Central African Republic is confident that its July 30 referendum will go ahead. Russia's Wagner mercenaries have been contracted to provide security. Analysts consider this an overt act of political interference.

Central African Republic voted on a constitutional referendum on Sunday which, if it passes, could remove a presidential term limit and allow President Faustin-Archange Touadera to run for a third term in 2025. Touadera was first elected in 2016 for a five-year term and won reelection in 2020 for what was supposed to be his final term in office.