15 March 2018 - Politics, Election

The SA Election: Further evidence of the decline of the two major parties

South Australians go to the polls this Saturday and the Liberal and Labor parties may struggle to collectively win 60% of the primary vote.

19 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party

Huge challenges face the next German Chancellor

Germany’s newly-elected Chancellor will face significant challenges that will require difficult and divisive choices after the election this Sunday.

1 March 2018 - Politics, Election

Will Berlusconi make a comeback?

It’s anyone’s guess.

1 March 2018 - Politics, Election

Understanding Italy's electoral system: It's complicated

19 December 2017

Stay tuned for more independent analysis of elections in 2018

We'll be covering the Victorian election, the US midterms and many more in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

9 July 2017

The future of the European Union beyond 2017

This year, European leaders marked 60 years since the Treaty of Rome, one of the foundations of the European Union (EU), by both acknowledging the EU’s achievements and admitting the many challenges facing the EU.

4 October 2017 - Politics, Election

Catalan independence referendum response challenges unified Spain

In spite of multiple attempts by Spain’s Madrid-based conservative central government to block it, on October 1st Catalonia’s independence referendum went ahead.

25 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party

The German election result and what it means for Australia

Dr Angela Merkel will lead Germany as its Chancellor for an historic fourth consecutive term.

25 September 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party

Merkel weakened, far right enters German parliament

As the dust settles on the German election, it seems the political instability seen throughout the West has now arrived in Germany

21 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany, Free Democratic Party

Will Germany be a stabiliser in turbulent times?

Some have claimed that the German political scene this year is boring. But perhaps we need less excitement and greater predictability in an era of Brexit and Trump.

9 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Disaster for Theresa May and the Conservatives; uncertainty for the UK

No matter how Tory partisans try to spin it, the UK election results are a disaster for Prime Minister Theresa May and the incumbent Conservative government.

19 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

France clearly ‘On the Move’

Emmanuel Macron launched his political party En Marche! – now La République en Marche! (The Republic on the Move!) – less than 18 months ago.

5 September 2017 - Economy, Politics, Election, Environment, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany

Merkel's strong stance on climate change is uncontroversial in Germany

All major parties in Germany – except the Euroskeptic, anti-refugee Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) – accept the reality of human-induced climate change.

3 September 2017 - Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Policy, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance ‘90/The Greens

German-Turkish tensions high ahead of elections

Germany’s special relationship with Turkey - NATO allies, partners in a key refugee deal and major trade partners - is routinely referred to as being in crisis.

14 September 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Left, Alliance ‘90/The Greens, Alternative for Germany

Four things you need to know about the German election

The most likely outcome of the German federal election on September 24 is that Angela Merkel – the longest serving leader in the Western world – will win an historic fourth consecutive term as Chancellor.

27 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP), UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Q&A: The UK Election and the Brexit big picture

Earlier this month, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced that voters in the UK would be going to the polls again for the third time in three years.

19 April 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

How terrorism is impacting on the French presidential elections

With the recent terrorist attacks in Stockholm and London, and with Syria and North Korea dominating national and international news in France, the forthcoming French elections are bound to take place in a very particular context.

3 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, En Marche

Explainer: Le Pen vs Macron - What do they stand for?

Political newcomer Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen will go head-to-head in the final vote of the presidential election on Sunday 7 May.

15 September 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche

Four reasons Le Pen probably won't become French President

The National Front's Marine Le Pen has been one of the front-runners in opinion polls throughout the French presidential election campaign and her anti-EU anti-Islam platform has grabbed attention around the world.

13 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Election, Policy, Race, Party for Freedom, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy

Four things to watch in the Dutch election

This week, on March 15, Dutch voters will be the first in Europe to go to the polls this year.

24 March 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

Russia’s meddling in the French elections: How and why?

The French people will soon elect their next president. It could be the National Front’s Marine Le Pen, the candidate Russia may actively be trying to get elected.

4 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, En Marche

Macron and Le Pen clash in ferocious debate

The two remaining candidates in the French presidential election Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have gone head-to-head in the final televised presidential debate, with just days until the final vote.

1 June 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)

What will the British election mean for Brexit?

Britain’s next leader will have the difficult task of deciding on concrete outcomes for populist platitudes in relation to ‘Brexit’.

10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy

What you need to know about Germany

When Germany goes to the polls in the second half of 2017, there is a chance that the status quo will prevail.

10 March 2017 - Politics, Social Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

Why France is taking Europe to the crossroad

The future of democracy in Western Europe is rapidly approaching a crossroads.

16 March 2017 - Politics, Election, Party for Freedom, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Minor Parties

The Dutch election is the opposite of Trump-like populism

The Dutch elections have produced a bittersweet victory for center-right incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his VVD Party.

5 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

Does Le Pen have a chance of becoming France's next president?

It’s just days before the final vote to decide who becomes the next French President. The result could radically alter the future of the European Union.

20 April 2017 - Economy, Foreign Policy, Election, Policy

Brexit: How Australia could benefit AND fight European populism

The Brexit process ending the UK’s membership in the European Union has officially started.

21 April 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

Explainer: How is the French president chosen and who’s expected to win

The French Presidential election will be held in two rounds.

5 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche

Europe holds its breath as France chooses its President

If Emmanuel Macron becomes France’s new President on Sunday, his victory will give the European Union a reprieve, a chance to reset its priorities after the battering from Brexit and the apparently inexorable surge of xenophobia and economic nationalism.

10 March 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Policy

Brexit: Over and Out

In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, now the European Union.

19 June 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, Conservative Party, Labour Party, UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Why Labour voters didn't become Tories or 'Red-Kippers'

In the space of a few short weeks of a General Election campaign, the British Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Theresa May went from a 17 seat majority and a 21 point lead over Labour in opinion polls; to just scraping over the line to form a minority government.

4 May 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front

Is fear blinding voters to the consequences of Marine Le Pen?

French voters face a stark choice for president on May 7: Do they elect pro-globalist, pro-immigration centrist Emmanuel Macron, or do they elect nationalist authoritarian Marine Le Pen?

20 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, Race, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

The French presidential elections will settle whether or not the Brexit-Trump phenomenon is contagious

After the shock Brexit result in Britain in June 2016 and Donald Trump’s unexpected triumph a few months later, in November, what are the chances of the right-wing Front National’s Marine Le Pen completing a populist trifecta in the French presidential elections?

10 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

What you need to know about France

In the aftermath of the election of US President Donald Trump and the UK’s Brexit referendum, many observers are keeping a watchful eye on how presidential elections play out in France in late April and early May.

24 April 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

French voters will chose between wildly different visions for France

It was a divisive and unpredictable campaign, but the first round results are now clear.

6 June 2017 - Politics, National Security, Election, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Scottish National Party (SNP)

The British election: After the terror

The British Prime Minister has confirmed the UK’s General Election will go ahead following Saturday night's terror attack in London that saw three attackers kill seven people and injure 48 others. Speaking outside Downing Street following the attacks, Theresa May said that “violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.”

10 March 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy

Liberal democracy: Why we may be losing it

Is the election of Donald Trump simply the way democracy works, or is the whole liberal democratic system under threat from a wave of citizen disenchantment?

24 August 2017 - Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Social Union (CSU), Alternative for Germany

Merkel won't be hurt by refugee issues

Angela Merkel, the leader of the Germany’s ruling centre-right CDU/CSU coalition, is widely expected to win a fourth (and final) term as German Chancellor in parliamentary elections on September 24.

18 May 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy

PODCAST: Trump, Brexit and the future of democracy

The international political landscape in 2017 is coloured by Brexit, the advent of the Trump administration in the United States, and several elections in Europe.

14 March 2017 - Politics, Immigration, Election, National Front, En Marche, Party for Freedom

Europe looks back, but don't panic (yet)

The European Union stands on the threshold.

8 May 2017 - Economy, Politics, Foreign Policy, Immigration, National Security, Election, Environment, Social Policy, Policy, National Front, En Marche

Europe has a chance to save itself and France will play a key role

Democracy has won.

7 April 2017 - Politics, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party

France's presidential campaign: A strategy of fear versus a strategy of opportunity

What a strange election campaign it has been so far.

30 March 2017 - Politics, Election

Is populism pushing Europe's left-wing parties into long-term decline?

As right-wing populism continues to rise in some European countries, support for social democratic parties in many European countries has been in retreat in recent years.

9 June 2017 - Politics, Election, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

Could Macron's 'En Marche' win big?

A month after a truly extraordinary battle for the French presidency between centrist Emmanuel Macron and far right Marine Le Pen, the French people are going to the polls again for two rounds of voting in legislative elections.

26 June 2017 - Politics, Foreign Policy, National Security, Election, Policy, National Front, Republicans, En Marche, Socialist Party, Unsubmissive France

Macron: Europe's new 'strongman'

The overwhelming win by the party of Emmanuel Macron in the French legislative elections has put a definite halt to the wave of populism in Europe and reinforced French commitment to the European Union.