Worldcrunch
The left-leaning Labour party in the UK appears to be headed for a big win next week, while far-right forces may take control of the French Parliament in their coinciding national elections. But it may be that France is just eight years behind Britain, which voted for Brexit in 2015, and now regrets that populist choice.
The Venezuelan opposition and its leader Corina Machado may yet end 25 years of socialist rule with an against-the-odds election win in July, which would bring to mind that of Corazon Aquino in 1986 that toppled the Marcos regime in the Philippines.
As South Africa goes to the polls, Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress party is facing disillusionment among its voters, and risks losing its absolute majority in parliament. Corruption, crime and persistent social inequality are at the root of this disenchantment — and the memory of the liberation struggle is fading.
After its defeat in municipal elections in March, the ruling party of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reopened a dialogue with the main opposition party after years of ruling by sheer political power. This has been touted as normalization of the Turkish political system. But there’s still much work to be done, and trust to be regained.
ABC, Dec.17, 2015 MADRID — “We are moderate people, quiet, formal and serious.” Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s calm words and bruised face were splashed on the front page of Madrid daily ABC on Thursday after the center-right leader was punched in the face by a 17 year-old during a campaign stop. Rajoy, who is […]
PARIS — “It’s the economy, stupid!” Just like the famous slogan in Bill Clinton’s 1992 challenge, the economy may have been decisive for David Cameron — but in a positive way this time for the incumbent. The economic crisis 22 years ago was George H. W. Bush’s downfall, despite his laudable record in foreign policy. […]