Elections – Europe is looking to France once again

On April 22 France will hold the first round of its presidential elections. Since the first voting is unlikely to provide any of the running candidates with an absolute majority there will be a ‘shoot-out’ between the 2 leading contenders on May 06. Polls suggest that François Hollande of the Socialist Party is leading the sitting President Nicolas Sarkozy by a slender margin. The race to the Elysée is far from over. All depends on who is making it into the second and decisive round and who attracts more votes of people who had previously backed unsuccessful candidates.

What’s wrong about health care for all?

What’s wrong about health care for all? This question crossed my mind last week when I learnt that the constitutionality of President Barak Obama’s health care reform (commonly known as ‘Obamacare‘) is being contested. The ruling of the US Supreme Court on this may turn out decisive in the presidential elections to be held on November 6th. Here is some background.

Neuwahlen in NRW – Ist die FDP noch zu retten?

Bis vor kurzem dachte ich das Politik eine ernste Angelegenheit wäre, vielleicht sogar zu ernst um die Mehrheit der Menschen zu interessieren. Die Nachricht vom Scheitern der Minderheitsregierung in NRW und die Aussicht auf Neuwahlen im Mai haben mich eines Besseren belehrt. Politik ist Slapstick.

Elections in Russia and the media

Vladimir Putin secured a third term as President of Russia during last weeks presidential elections. The official count put him at 63.64% (results). This didn’t come as a surprise to anyone.