vote
Croatia EU vote: Swiss, Italian, Slovenian, Czech media react
A clear majority of Croatians voted in favour of EU accession in a referendum on 22 January. However, if they want to join the EU it's above all for economic reasons, European commentators write and prophesy that the EU's eastern enlargement is over for the time being
vote, balkans, euweek, candidate countries, croatia, european union, referendum
Why I like Putin for president: young Russians speak
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?
vote, dmitry medvedev, russian federation, elections, politics, vladimir putin, society
Baking a state for Palestine at the United Nations kitchen
64 years ago, the UN granted the Palestinians a state on 43% of the former mandate Palestinian territory. This state never came into being. The bid for this and UN membership will likely take place on 24 September. A divided EU once again shows its reluctance to form a common foreign policy with the member states’ 'for', 'against' and 'wait-and-see' positions
vote, united nations, discrimination, palestine occupied territory, human rights, european union, politics
Between Italy and Slovenia, Europe referendum conundrums in 2011
In the past a lack of information and lukewarm participation have turned a potentially powerful tool of public reform into a strenuous but futile exercise. The unexpected results of the referendum held in Italy on 12 and 13 June bring one of the oldest form of direct democracy to the fore
vote, italy, divorce, referendum, slovenia, 'indignant citizens' movement, politics
Dutch, British, Spanish and Swiss reactions on Irish elections
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
vote, economical crisis, euweek, european union, elections, ireland, politics
Irish elections: expats can't vote on 25 February 2011
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
vote, expatriates, human rights, the charter of fundamental rights of the european union, united kingdom, elections, e-voting
Greece 2010 mayoral poll: first social(ist) media elections
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
vote, wine, greece, social networks, youth, blogs, macedonia
Belgium elections: rise of radical Flemish nationalist party, N-VA
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
vote, europe, belgium, flanders, constitution, nationalism, yves leterme
Job Cohen: is this who The Netherlands needs as leader?
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
vote, labour, europe, netherlands, job cohen, amsterdam, geert wilders
London: protest singing for the UK elections
Anarchy in the UK? More like apathy; 60 and 61% of voter apathy was respectively registered in the 2001 and 2005 elections. What will happen on 6 May? A London-based protest singer on the role of music in 'raging against the machine'
Truth? There's no-one to vote for in 6 May UK elections
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
vote, media, liberls, university, gay rights, health, education system
Fathoming the power of right-wing populist Geert Wilders in Europe
If the freedom party leader is successful in the June parliamentary elections, Dutch politics will be destabilised and Europe will be forced to deal seriously with the man once nicknamed 'Mozart', write the Dutch, Swiss, Spanish and Slovakian press
vote, netherlands, eurotopics, euweek, amsterdam, geert wilders, right wing extremism
In a country of 400, 000 muslims, the Swiss vote to ban minarets
On 29 November, the people of Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets. The referendum initiated by the Swiss people's party and the conservative federal democratic union has dealt a severe blow to religious peace in the country, write the Estonian, Swiss, Portuguese and Austrian press
vote, switzerland, religion, neutrality, secularity, euweek, religion and democracy
Tories, Klaus and Kaczyński: EU 'three kings' vs Lisbon treaty
The eurosceptic Pole Lech Kaczyński plans to sign the EU reform document in the next few days, Czech president Václav Klaus refuses and British conservative leader David Cameron again promises his country a referendum if he is elected prime minister in 2010 and the treaty has still not taken effect. The Irish, Czech, German and Hungarian press react
vote, vaclav klaus, eurotopics, euweek, poland, lech kaczynski, david cameron
67% in Ireland say 'yes' to the Lisbon treaty
On 2 October, the Irish public allowed changes to the constitution to ratify the Lisbon treaty. The 'resounding' and 'convincing' vote dispels fears that the referendum would pass by a slim margin and demonstrate a lack of Irish faith in the democratic process, and in the EU
vote, media, constitution, ukip, nigel farage, ryanair, european constitution
Lisbon vote no: a second referendum? How democratic
It’s ironic that the Irish 'No' to Lisbon in June 2008 was taken as a blow to Europe and a step away from democracy, when the treaty would take away our right to vote at all. Focus on media bias and the illusion of choice
vote, media, european union, referendum, ireland, politics, opinion
Lisbon treaty: Ireland bites back
It's been over a year since the Irish rejected the EU reform treaty for Lisbon, which has been ratified by at least 24 other member states. Hot water is still being landed in across the continent as EU and national citizens argue about how the issue is discussed. We hear from voices who will vote yes and no for the second referendum on 2 October; that's if expats abroad can manage to get back home to vote at all, despite Ryanair's biased offer of free flights. Elsewhere, whether citizens are cycling for votes or recycling Lisbon treaty posters, we are treated to the real sound of the spirited Irish voice in the EU. No pressure, eh?
Lisbon treaty: I'm voting yes for jobs and climate change
Democracy, cross-border crime and climate change are issues that resonate with young Irish people, a 'yes' campaigner says, which is why people should vote for the EU reform Lisbon treaty in a referendum on 2 October
vote, constitution, youth, european union, referendum, climate change, ireland
Lazy Bundestag showdown
The uninspired German election campaign will probably continue ailing until elections take place on 27 September. A fibreless TV chancellor duel and lustless candidates have had a somniferous impact on the electing nation. Will Angela Merkel, the most 'powerful woman in the world' over the last four years, seduce the girls? Or will Steinmeier hack into the Russian Facebook community first? Maybe subjects like climate change from eco-showman Guttenberg or the fictional candidate, the comedian Horst Schlämmer, could shake up the dozing federal republic
Lisbon treaty: Irish expats lose their vote abroad
The only Irish citizens who are able to vote abroad are diplomats or army personnel. For others, it’s a question of finding the time, money or strength to take a Ryanair flight back home for the second referendum on 2 October, which almost all 27 EU members have ratified
vote, testimony, ratificación, european union, referendum, brussels, ireland
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