ACE Electoral News

ACE Electoral News

Iceland: Free towels, polar bear help Best Party win, ABC News (2010)

This article comments the victory of the Best Party in the local election in Reykjavik. Among other things, the Best Party pledges a new Disneyland at the airport and a new polar bear for the city zoo.

Political earthquake shakes up Iceland's local elections, EUobserver (2010)

This article analyzes the reasons behind the electoral victory of the Best Party in Reykjavik. This Party was established six months ago by comedians, musicians and actors, and quickly became the biggest party in the capital. To many observers, people voted this party to protest against traditional political parties and the political system in general.

New Flemish Alliance, Socialists lead in Belgium, Angus Reid Global Monitor (2010)

This article presents the latest polls for the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The New Flemish Alliance turned out to be the first party in the country, the Christian Democratic and Flemish the second.

Slovakia: Vote 2010: Smer gets another 'no' (The Slovak Spectator, 2010)

THE TESTIMONY of a former senior member about trading state posts in return for cash; a leaked document published by local media purporting to show how some of these deals could have looked in practice; and a definite ‘no’ from an opposition party to an eventual post-election coalition deal.

Polish Ruling Party Tests Coalition Breakup (The Wall Street Journal, 2010)

On Thursday, Poland’s acting president and Civic Platform presidential candidate Bronislaw Komorowski surprised markets and his party’s junior coalition partner by proposing Marek Belka as the candidate for the central bank head. The unexpected (and un-consulted) candidacy is likely to be just the first attempt by ruling party Civic Platform to annoy and antagonize the Peasants’ Party, its agrarian-focused partner in government. It could very well be followed by a series of intra-coalition fights eventually prompting parliamentary election to be held half a year early—in the spring of 2011 instead of the fall of that year.

Hungary's new PM Orban wins parliament backing (Reuters, 2010)

Hungary's new prime minister, Viktor Orban, won parliamentary approval for his centre-right government and programme on Saturday, clearing the way for planned measures to kick-start the ailing economy.

Orbán returns to power as Hungarian prime minister (Politics.hu, 2010)

Parliament elected Viktor Orban, leader of the centre-right Fidesz party, as prime minister of Hungary, and approved the government manifesto with 261 votes for, 107 against and no abstention.

Socialist International calls for transparent elections in Albania (SETimes.com, 2010)

A parliamentary investigation must be conducted in Albania to pave the way for eventual EU integration.

South Korea: Voting still too hard for disabled, Korea Times (2010)

This article reports on the "2010 Local Elections Disabled Alliance" Conference. This advocacy group argues that it is still too difficult for disabled people to reach the polling stations in Korea. According to this Alliance, currently ten percent of the population cannot exercise their right to vote because of their disabilities.

Netherlands: Immigrant vote accounts for ten seats, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the role of immigrants in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands. The immigrant community accounts for up to ten seats in the parliament, and could be decisive for the left-wing parties.

Netherlands: Balkenende wants broad coalition, Radio Netherlands Worldwide (2010)

This article discusses the Dutch Prime Minister's call for a new and broader coalition for the upcoming June 9 elections. The PM, Jan Peter Balkenende, believes that the Christian Democratic party should form a coalition with the conservative party (VVD), the democrats and the GreenLeft.

Solomon Islands: Prime Minister apologizes to Governor General, Solomon Times (2010)

This article reports on the apologies made by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Derek Sikua, to the Governor General. Last week, the Prime Minister announced unofficially the date of the next elections. However, only the Electoral Commission can set the date and inform the Governor General, the only one who has the power to announce it.

Australia poll foreshadows hung parliament, Reuters (2010)

This article highlights the possibility of a "hung" parliament as a result of the upcoming elections in Australia. The latest polls show the fall of Kevin Rudd's government (supported by 51 percent of the voters) and the rise of the Green Party.

Iceland's PM: elections the end of four-party system, Iceland Review (2010)

This article discusses the statement of Prime Minister of Iceland, Johanna Sigurdardottir. The Prime Minister stated that after Saturday's municipal elections the four-party system is over, and that all parties should be aware of this. In Reykjavik, new parties won seats in the council and presented themselves as bearers of new ideas.

Iceland: More voters than ever hand in empty ballots, Iceland Review (2010)

This article points out to a significant new trend in Iceland's latest elections. On Saturday's municipal elections, 6.4% of the voters turned in an empty or invalid ballot, whereas in the 2006 only 2.4% did.

Iceland: Comedian elected Reykjavik's mayor, Financial Times (2010)

This article comments the results of the latest municipal elections in Iceland. Jon Gnarr Kristinsson, stand-up comedian, was elected mayor of Reykjavik. The Best Party represents the people’s dissatisfaction towards politics after the country's 2008 economic crisis.

Call for French Polynesia independence referendum, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statement by Oscar Temaru, leader of the assembly, about the possibility of a referendum on the territory's independence. Mr Temaru reached this decision after France's attempts to impose reforms. However, French Polynesia is not on the UN list of territories to be decolonised.

Georgia: Distribution of Seats in Tbilisi City Council, Civil.ge (2010)

The article reports that in the result of 30 May 2010 nationwide local elections in Georgia, the ruling National Movement party will have 39 seats in new 50-member Tbilisi City Council with the rest 11 seats distributed among four other parties. The ruling party is also heading to winning majority of seats in rest of 63 councils across the country.

Georgia opposition leader Alasania says: Elections Valid, Time to Keep Sight on 2012 Polls

Georgia's opposition leader Irakli Alasania told his party activists on May 31, that Sunday elections were valid despite minor irregularities. The said that the new target should be 2012 elections.

OSCE Notes 'Significant Shortcomings' In Georgia Vote, RFE/RL (2010

The article presents results of OSCE/ODIHR preliminary election assessment report for Georgia's local elections, stating the election was "transparent" and marked "evident progress towards meeting international standards." But the OSCE statement added that "significant shortcomings remain to be addressed."