The Kremlin’s top critic Alexei Navalny has slammed Russia’s March presidential election, in which he is barred from running, as a sham meant to “re-appoint” Vladimir Putin on his way to becoming “emperor for life”. With two months to go before Russians vote in polls that are all but guaranteed to hand Putin a historic […]
Europe articles on Democracy Chronicles
View news about the struggle for better democracy in Europe, the birthplace of modern democracy and crucial pillar of the democratic world. Also see our World Democracy section and our Russia articles.
The trouble with Swiss direct democracy is minority rule
Switzerland is a semi-direct, not a purely parliamentary democracy and has no alternation in power between government and opposition parties
Vote Putin, Win an iPhone: Bizarre Russian Voter Turnout Schemes
The Kremlin is worried as it tries to balance between keeping tight control over campaigning and avoiding voter apathy
Will Italian Youth Voters Abandon Mainstream Parties?
Italy’s young adults will likely prove crucial in determining the outcome of the country’s March elections, and there are signs they are turning their backs on mainstream parties. Elsewhere on the continent the populist surge appears to be receding, but not so in Italy, where the anti-establishment, euro-sceptic Five Star Movement (M5S), founded nine years […]
Poland makes first major moves intended to mend EU ties
Poland’s new right-wing Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki sacked his defence and foreign ministers in a major reshuffle
There is an alternative to the West’s ruling political consensus
Politicians need your help; they need to hear the voice and clear message of the people. They must be directed to completely different politics and to a developed democracy that dares to remake and make right.
Turkey casts outsized shadow over Turkish Cypriot Election
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will head to the polls on Sunday, in a parliamentary election that has failed to stir enthusiasm among a largely disillusioned electorate. Elections in the internationally unrecognised entity are typically dominated by the long-running dispute of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island split b etween Turkish Cypriots in the north […]
Russia supreme court rules Kremlin critic cannot run for president
Russia’s supreme court has upheld a ban on the government critic Alexei Navalny from running for president
Reporters face obstacle run in corruption-hit Bulgaria
Bulgaria is the new holder of the EU presidency but also ranked as the bloc’s worst press freedom violator
Navalny Calls for Russia Election Boycott After Being Barred
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is calling for a boycott of the country’s next presidential ballot after election officials barred him from running. Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) voted Monday to bar Navalny from running in the March 2018 presidential election because of his conviction on criminal charges that the anti-corruption blogger and his followers […]