With Portugal’s New Government, the Promise of Harsh Cuts

It may have been the politician’s practiced habit of emotional concealment, but in his concession speech last night, the smiling outgoing Portuguese Prime Minister Jos Socrates hardly looked like a man distraught with defeat. Nor, for that matter, did his opponent, Paulo Passos Coelho, seem gleeful with triumph

Share

For Republicans, the Ice Age Cometh

Despairing Republican friends have been asking me what I think we should do to rebuild the GOP and begin our certain and inevitable comeback. My answer disappoints them: “Build an ark.” I say this because I’ve made a career out of counting votes, and the numbers tell a clear story; the demographics of America are changing in a way that is deadly for the Republican Party as it exists today

Share

Germans prepare to vote in elections

Germans head to the polls Sunday to elect members who will form the country’s 17th Bundestag — the federal parliament. Two candidates — incumbent chancellor, Angela Merkel and her vice-chancellor and foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier — are vying to head up what has historically been a coalition government.

Share

EU: Sanctions against Zimbabwe to remain

The European Union will not lift sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his allies until the country improves its human rights record and moves ahead on a power-sharing plan, an EU official said Sunday. European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel de Gucht spoke to reporters at the conclusion of a two-day visit about Mugabe’s calls for an end to the sanctions

Share

Karzai ahead in Afghan election but could face runoff

President Hamid Karzai continues to maintain a strong lead in last month’s presidential election but needs more votes to avoid a runoff, according to partial results issued by Afghan election officials on Wednesday. Karzai is the choice on 47.28 percent of the ballots counted so far and his closest challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, is at 32.57 percent, Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission said

Share

Voter gripes abound as Afghans count presidential ballots

More than 200 allegations of irregularities in last week’s presidential elections in Afghanistan have been registered, according to the independent commission set up to handle such complaints. Despite domestic accusations from one of the presidential candidates that the vote was rigged, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan called the election “a very well-organized campaign.” “The Afghan-led independent electoral commission looks like it managed a pretty good process,” Ambassador Karl Eikenberry said Sunday

Share

Rivals claim success in Afghan vote

Afghan leader Hamid Karzai’s campaign team claimed Friday he was on track for victory in the country’s presidential election, while his close rival Abdullah Abdullah also said he was leading the vote. Their claims came as election officials said the results of the vote, seen as a judgment on the Karzai government’s efforts in tackling Taliban insurgents, poverty and corruption, would be rolled out starting August 25.

Share