cafebabel.com

Fictional Russian hopefuls in 2012 elections

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:48 -0000

Russia’s presidential elections on 4 March are creeping ever closer. Following demonstrations across Russia in the wake of parliamentary elections in December, the run-away favourite Vladimir Putin is now more of a walk-away favourite. Who else is in this one-horse race?

Schulz, new president of European parliament: Martin who?

('Catrin',) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:07:40 -0000

Do you know who the president of the European parliament is? If not, read on: Martin Schulz isn't afraid of courting controversy and is planning to shake up the way Europe is run

Odd ode to Eric Cantona

('Andrew Burgess',) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:21:04 -0000

The Olympic Marseille football club is beginning to form a reputation as the starting block for 'wannabe presidents'. Following in the footsteps of George Weah and his candidacy for the presidency in Liberia, it’s now the turn of Eric Cantona to make his ambitions for high office known, writes one French blogger, 'ASL'

Slovenian journalist: death threats after arms trade trilogy

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:18:09 -0000

In Slovenia, a trilogy published between summer 2011 and spring 2012 has exposed the secrets of the arms trade during the Balkans war and the role of the country's politicians in it. It's been an ache in the sides of those in power and with money and interests whom the book denounces. Co-writer Blaz Zgaga, 38, may be in hiding but he won't stay down

From elections to christmas, same old campaign in Spain

('Elaine Jordan',) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:07:11 -0000

Spain’s recent congress and senate elections on 20 November bombarded our tired eyes and weary spirits. Now we are hit with another inevitable bomb shell: christmas. We face another equally exhausting and worrying campaign

Voina: 'As a Russian activist, I'm not sure that I will live long'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:54:43 -0000

With organisers saying that almost 100, 000 people protested in Russia's biggest anti-governmental rally on 10 December - accusing the kremlin of 'fraud' in 4 December parliamentary elections - we hear from the Moscow-based self-styled 'street art gang' in part two of an exclusive interview, where they describe their role in this Russia

Russian art collective Voina: 'Zhlobs are in power in today's Russia'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:05:48 -0000

The Moscow-based self-styled 'street art gang' formed in 2005. Its four main members consist of president Leonid Nikolaev - who was arrested at an 'election fraud protest rally' on 5 December - ideologist Oleg Vorotnikov, coordinator Natalia Sokol and her son and Voina's youngest activist, two-year-old Kasper Can't-Take-Our-Eyes-Off-Him Sokol. Part one of an exclusive interview marks their brief history

Why I like Putin for president: young Russians speak

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:57:35 -0000

Russia will be going to the polls on 4 March 2012. Approval ratings indicate that Vladimir Putin is highly likely to be voted in for a third term as president. The current prime minister’s politics and image makes human rights activists and western politicians shudder. So what is it about him that makes the Russian tick?

Susanne Graf: 'Those who remember the GDR know what it means to be observed constantly'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:45:00 -0000

Berlin’s September elections made her the youngest MP in the parliament at 19, the only woman in her fraction - and a ‘pirate’. We talk data protection, mistakes in politics and why a quota for women in the pirate party wouldn’t make any difference

Dear granddad, for Christmas I'd like a Eurasian union

('Virag Gulyas',) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:23:46 -0000

In October Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin proposed a 'Eurasian union' of former soviet nations that could be a major global player competing for influence with the US, the EU and Asia, creating instant headlines about the threat of Russian expansionism. Is Putin mastering geopolitics? Where are the limits of his modernisation strategy?

Rosen Plevneliev: Bulgaria’s 'Bob the Builder' is new president

('bistra andreeva',) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:59:37 -0000

Aged just 47, the former construction minister has managed to stay the nice kid on the block. The most popular minister in cabinet (up until now) does not belong to any political party, but was backed by the ruling party. Yet not everyone is happy with the German-educated politician being in the presidential position for the next five years

Tunisia’s Arab renaissance comes out of London exile

('dominicmaciver',) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:00:00 -0000

On 23 September the arab spring achieved its most significant achievement yet. It was a rebirth for the modern Arab world without spilt blood nor fiery rhetoric in the dust and the death; instead it used ink and consensus to rebuild a country. Moderate islamist party ennahda, coming out of exile in the UK, won 41% in the country's first democratic elections on 22 October

Blogger Khelil Ben Osman on Tunisian elections

('ZoeBBee',) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:02:13 -0000

There's no official result in the Tunisian elections yet. Nonetheless the moderate islamist party ennahda is on the verge of victory. One of the pioneers of the digital awakening during the jasmine revolution gives his view of the first great moment of democracy in Tunisia

Elections 2012: glimpses of social network Putin-bashing

('Alexandra',) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:15:13 -0000

On 7 October, the 59th birthday of Vladimir Putin, one pro-kremlin activist composed a couplet with a nod to a soviet-era poem, ending with the words ‘thanks for this Putin’. The rhyme provoked a deluge of tweeted criticism levelled at the Russian prime minister. Could this be the beginning of a protest wave?

Riots: Britain's boring thugs and Europe's burning thread

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:23:02 -0000

Don't synonymise the London rioters with the protesting Greeks or Syrians; it is just plain offensive. Yes, Londoners mobilised for four days, but it can't compare to the months of social, political and economic agitation across Europe and the Arab world

Poland elections: another one bites the Tusk

('euro topics',) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:20:16 -0000

Donald Tusk’s pro-European civic platform (PO) party won 39% of the vote in parliamentary elections on 9 October. It's the first time a ruling party has been returned to power since the fall of communism in Poland. The Spanish, Hungarian, Czech and local press react

Jędrzej Wijas: Polish election candidate’s heavy metal campaign

('Aleksandra Sygiel',) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:48:30 -0000

The PhD graduate from the Polish academy of sciences, 34, is running as a candidate of the left-wing party SLD (democratic left alliance) in the Polish parliamentary elections on 9 October. In a music video ‘A Concrete Message’, he gnarls out his political goals to a backdrop of heavy metal types. Interview

Poland October election campaign: vote for Kaczynski’s ‘Angelina Jolie’

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:38:49 -0000

Polish opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski was seen as a no-hoper for the upcoming parliamentary elections on 9 October. Yet an unexpected comeback in opinion polls could be down to the conservative law and justice party’s new election campaign, in which seven attractive young women – one standing for Lodz, in particular - give the party a facelift

Swiss, Spanish, German and Czech media on role-swapping Putin and Medvedev

('euro topics',) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:27:28 -0000

The Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin announced his candidacy for the presidential elections in March. The current Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev would take his job in parliamentary elections on 4 December... get it? This swap would cement Russia's reputation as an authoritarian state and bring the country to a political standstill, cry the EU media

Three gays and a christian democrat: Irish presidential elections

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:01:18 -0000

What do an 81-year-old sports commentator, a ‘Dragon’s Den’ panelist and an international gay rights activist (David Norris, pictured) have in common? They’ve all been put forth for the Irish presidency. But as the government scrambles to hold onto the ‘highest office in the land’, the public is steadily boiling with rage. Elections take place on 27 October

Stalking Obama in Detroit: getting all 1930s French socialist on us?

('Helene Bienvenu',) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:04:27 -0000

French photojournalist Helene Bienvenu and filmmaker Nora Mandray recently moved to Detroit from Budapest and Los Angeles to write and direct a documentary. On the way, president Barack Obama visited Michigan’s largest city on the first Monday in September, which is a version of Europe’s 1st May bank holiday

Go on, say it. It’s the Spanish spring

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:00:00 -0000

There’s renewed fighting in Yemen, 1, 000 people have died in Syria and Nato is campaigning against Libya. In a peaceful echo of the Arab people’s battle for democracy, Europe has caught the ‘real democracy’ bug, starting in the streets of Spain on 15 May

Dutch, British, Spanish and Swiss reactions on Irish elections

('euro topics',) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:20:30 -0000

The conservative party fine gael won Irish parliamentary elections on 25 February and will form a coalition with the labour party. The outgoing fianna fáil (FF) lost over two-thirds of its mandate. Future prime minister Enda Kenny wants to renegotiate the EU bailout package and see the country facing profound change; the 31st Dáil meets on 9 March

Irish elections: expats can't vote on 25 February 2011

('Denis Fitzgerald',) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 10:07:23 -0000

The Dail is dissolved! Irish citizens will be electing a new government to oversee recovery from the worst economic crisis in the state's history. However, many of them forced to leave by the four-year-old fianna fáil-green government's malfeasance will be denied a ballot

Portuguese student on Portugal ignoring politics

('victor escandell',) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:00:00 -0000

The president of Portugal, the conservative Aníbal Cavaco, has been re-elected in the first round with 52.9% of the votes and the lowest turnout in the history of the Portuguese democracy. A Portuguese student breaks down the general pessimism and the lack of power in his country, next candidate, according to certain media, for a financial bail-out

Ludicrousness from Lukaschenko Land: 1994, 2001, 2006, 2010

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:39 -0000

It is a dictatorship and it is our dictatorship: in Europe, right next door to the EU. On 19th December it’s that time again: Belarusian citizens will be called upon to elect their president. In the lead up to this date one Frenchwoman in Berlin discusses the ludicrousness from Lukashenko land on cafébabel.com. Claudine Delacroix’ fifth post considers 'modest election forecasts and idiots in the opposition'

Moldava youth: one year after riots, we vote!

('Madalina Pierseca',) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:30:00 -0000

Moldavans are called to vote this Sunday for crucial parliamentary elections. For 18 months, this small country - the poorest in Europe – has been functioning without a president, blocking any ambitious political initiative. Two days before the election, it is impossible to know who has the best chance to win. The only certainty is that young people have played and will play a decisive role. This major political force which has become indispensable and wishes to make itself heard is back on the rise

Alice in Belarus (Wonderland): politician tries to enter local elections

('Peter Robbins',) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:50:27 -0000

This is the story of Olga Karatch, a Belarusian dissident and 'Nash Dom' human rights activist, and her participation in local elections in Belarus. Those were in May 2010, but Olga’s testimony has lost none of its relevance. Unfortunately, it's all too synonymous with the state of Belarusian politics as a whole, and with elections looming on 19 December

Greece 2010 mayoral poll: first social(ist) media elections

('Georgios Kokkolis',) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:48:39 -0000

New Athens and Thessaloniki mayors George Kaminis and Yiannis Boutaris managed the impossible on 14 November. This socialist victory sends five main messages - including the fact that 'people dont give a monkeys about the politicians'. Extract from the cafebabel.com blog in Athens

Minority conservative government wins Latvian elections

('euro topics',) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:14:15 -0000

Estonian, German, Polish and Latvian commentators say the 3 October results show approval for the country's strict austerity policy and hope for greater integration of Russian-speaking Latvians, whose opposition party fared exceptionally well at the polls

Sweden elections 2010: rise of European right

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:38:27 -0000

Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition won Sweden's elections on 19 September with just under 50%. The success is due to the lack of debate over integration and could cripple the country politically, write the Swedish, Danish and Italian press. Clippings

Europe's politician loudmouths

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:54:31 -0000

British prime minister David Cameron was accused of 'going offscript' by former foreign secretary David Miliband after a series of press conferences where he accused Pakistan of 'exporting terror'. Do Europe's eurosceptic politicians have the biggest mouths when it comes to diplomatic rows? Expression of the week

Women in politics or European calendar girls?

('Aleksandra Sygiel',) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:15:00 -0000

Between German chancellor Angela Merkel's cleavage-unleashing campaign tactics, Czech and Italian ministers posing for calendars and the Slovakian prime minister praising female arms, what is the defining priority for Europe's female politicians - being women, or being politicians?

Pro-European Polish president: order no. Komorowski

('eurotopics',) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:40:31 -0000

The Polish people didn't vote emotionally on 4 July. Bronisław Komorowski won Poland's presidential elections with 52.6% of the vote across 95% of constituencies. His challenger Jarosław Kaczyński, twin brother of the late president Lech, trailed at 47.4%. The German, Italian and Polish press hail the politically mature result

'Bart de Wever's willingness to nominate Elio Di Rupo for Belgian PM seems a trap'

('Jude Lister',) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:15:00 -0000

Vincent Laborderie, a researcher at the Catholic University of Leuven (UCL), bakes some humble pie for the alarmists with his portrait of post-crisis Belgium

Comedian and new mayor Jon Gnarr spoofs politics in Reykjavik

('Nicola Potter',) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:30:00 -0000

It's made an impact - The Best Party won the local elections on 29 May with 34.7% of the vote! We talk to party number two Einar Orn Benediktsson, a former singer and trumpet player who has collaborated with Björk and the Sugercubes

Polish elections: Jaroslaw Kaczynski, hamster candidate

('Katharina Kloss',) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:34:15 -0000

A second Kaczynski mandate would be going back to the Middle Ages, warns Artur Kurasinski, owner of Polish new media agency Revolver Interactive. He brings politically incorrect 'hamsters' back to life on his 2005-launched website chomiks.com. The presidential elections take place on 20 June, after late incumbent Lech Kaczynski was killed in April

Swedish royal wedding: boosting neither tourism nor young spirits

('Emilie Prattico',) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:40:49 -0000

Victoria Bernadotte, the 32-year-old heiress to the throne, will wed commoner Daniel Westling, 36, in the capital's cathedral on 19 June. Despite the smorgasbord of fun on display in Stockholm, the widespread feeling amongst Swedes and expats is that the merriment is wasteful and annoying

Belgium elections: rise of radical Flemish nationalist party, N-VA

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:51:47 -0000

13 June 2010 marks just under twenty years since Belgians went to the polls for an early election. Belgians have voted six times in the last seven years: surrealism? Maybe. The last years resemble one long-winded election campaign, during which not one party made the smallest concession

Dutch elections: did Geert Wilders get the last laugh?

('euro topics',) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:15:00 -0000

Italian, Dutch and Belgian commentators doubt that VVD leader Mark Rutte will be able to form a more stable government than his christian democratic predecessor Jan Peter Balkenende after elections on 9 June

Hungarian minorities in Slovakia: small arrangements between enemies

('Jude Lister',) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0000

One week after a law proposing Hungarian nationality to ethnic Hungarians abroad, prime minister Viktor Orbán announced a new era of 'national unity' during his prime ministerial inauguration on 29 May. Hungary is choosing the route of hostile nationalism, much to the delight of Slovak populists

Job Cohen: is this who The Netherlands needs as leader?

('Christian Derlagen',) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:00:00 -0000

The moderate and highly popular Amsterdam mayor has revived the labour party, leading in polls before the 9 June elections. Will he be the wonder doctor for Dutch citizens´ worried minds and restore the country´s image in the world? Portrait of a future statesman

UK, Germany, Iraq: welcome to the Hotel Coalition

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:04:12 -0000

From Britain's 'wildcard' to Iraq's power vacuum, the outcome between the elections has been similar - the winning party not gaining a majority and the other two forming a coalition to push them out. In Iraq, negotiations have been ongoing since 7 March, with over two months of riots and attacks. Parallel between one of the world's biggest democracies and a failing state

UK elections on 6 May: EU press discuss budget and coalition

('euro topics',) — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:41:44 -0000

As the British house of commons goes to vote, the statistics are putting David Cameron (conservative party) a little ahead of Gordon Brown (ruling labour party). Whoever wins might share power with Nick Clegg in a coalition with the liberal democrat party. The German, Spanish, British and Italian press say 'balance the budget first'

Salma Yaqoob: the other left in UK elections

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:45:00 -0000

A cocktail of otherworldliness, pacifism and explosive environmentalism is taking over the UK in the lead up to the general election on 6 May. The Guardian has called the Respect party leader 'the most prominent Muslim woman in British public life'. Respect is eager to get back in touch with the 'common people'

Nick Clegg for European British prime minister?

("naomi o'leary",) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:13:10 -0000

Since 1918 the prime minister of Britain has been either labour or conservative. Red or blue. The 6 May elections were set to be no different. The two-party system seemed safe. Murdoch's papers screamed blue. Until Mr. Nick Clegg, leader of the liberal democrats, entered. The final televised leaders' debate in the UK takes place on 29 April

Viktor Orbán, your boomerang Hungarian prime minister

('euro topics',) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:02:44 -0000

The centre-right conservative Fidesz party achieved a two-thirds majority in the second round of Hungary's parliamentary elections on 25 April. With his absolute majority, the future premier will do the country harm, warn some. Others say give him a chance. The Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian press react

Truth? There's no-one to vote for in 6 May UK elections

('james whyte',) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:13:58 -0000

For the first time in decades, the very real possibility of a hung parliament allows the political landscape to be shaken up in the UK's general election on 6 May. But the opposition leader David Cameron, who launches his election campaign on 13 April, appears windswept, PM Gordon Brown imperious and Nick Clegg just wants to be recognised

Swing right, sweet Hungarian election chariot: first round election results

('euro topics',) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:34:01 -0000

The right-wing conservative alliance of young democrats or 'Fidesz' scooped Hungary's parliamentary elections on 11 April (52.7%). The socialists in power scored a measly 19.3%. Right-wing extremist Jobbik party entered parliament for the first time (16.7%). The Hungarian, Slovakian, Austrian and Italian media on whether the victory is the start of a new era or a rude awakening

UK election: EU press on the one month for 'posh boy' Cameron to battle Brown

('euro topics',) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:05:28 -0000

On 6 April the British prime minister Gordon Brown announced parliamentary elections on 6 May, opening the race for the House of Commons. The Spanish, Italian, Irish and Austrian press expect the country's enormous budget deficit to dominate the discussion; the credibility of the established parties is also at stake, they say