Chile election results point to generational change

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Left ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Generational Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Strong Performance ◽  
Election Results

Significance In the parliamentary polls, a strong performance by the Frente Amplio (FA), a new left-wing alliance, and the election of an important contingent of newcomers to Congress, mark the start of a long-delayed generational change in Chilean politics. They also suggest that the run-off presidential ballot on December 17 will be tight. Impacts The results do not necessarily imply a shift to the left, but rather that voters are eager for new faces in politics. Polling methodologies will need to be reviewed after serious errors in forecasts, probably related to coverage of younger voters. The next government, particularly if headed by Pinera, will find managing Congress difficult.

Citizens movement could reshape Spanish centre-right

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
New Left ◽  
National Election ◽  
Socialist Party ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strong Performance ◽  
Popular Party ◽  
Regional Elections

Subject A profile of the Citizens movement. Significance The March 2015 Andalucia regional election saw a breakthrough for Citizens and a setback for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party (PP). Of Catalan origin, Citizens is now starting to compete across Spain. An opinion poll this month showed a four-way contest, with Citizens, the new left-wing challenger Podemos and the traditional PP and Socialist Party (PSOE) within three points of each other. With a centrist appeal, Citizens has proved its ability to take votes from a range of other parties, as well as attract rebels from the small centre-right Progress and Democracy Union (UPyD). Ahead of regional elections in May and a national election expected in November, Citizens seems poised to play a significant role in the development of the centre-right. Impacts Citizens is standing in all 13 regions in May, and in at least all the provincial capitals in the simultaneous municipal polls. If it performs strongly in May, Rivera may head its lists in Catalonia's September regional election and the subsequent national election. A strong performance elsewhere in May would help Citizens become main alternative in Catalonia to Artur Mas's pro-independence alliance. Citizens' results and centrism may give it a key coalition role, first in regions such as Madrid and Valencia and then nationally. Citizens will continue to expand its organisational presence throughout Spain.

Frente Amplio will struggle to reach run-off in Chile

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Left ◽  
Presidential Candidate ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Segment ◽  
Political Force ◽  
Primary Election ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Significant Step

Significance On July 2, the Frente Amplio (FA), a new left-wing alliance, held a primary election to select its presidential candidate. Building on FA’s participation in last year’s municipal elections, the primary represented a significant step in its bid to become Chile’s third political force but also showed that its support remains confined to a small segment of the population. Impacts How far FA swings to the left in its programme will be key to its ability to attract more centrist voters, its only real room for growth. Sanchez is proving less well known than her television and radio career would have suggested. The centre-right coalition’s primary confirms Pinera’s strong footing to become Chile’s next president.

Bolivia election results point to run-off

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Content Type ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Election Results

Headline BOLIVIA: Election results point to run-off

Left-wing alliance changes Spain's political landscape

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Socialist Party ◽  
Stability And Growth Pact ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Growth Pact ◽  
Strong Performance ◽  
The Eu

Significance While not expected to win, it will likely overtake the Socialist Party (PSOE). This development will have serious consequences for the PSOE, which faces a dilemma over its coalition preferences and the prospect of long-term decline. Impacts A strong performance by Unidos Podemos will fuel market concerns about the eventual election of a radical anti-austerity government. The prospect of a weak government, unable to meet the targets of the EU Stability and Growth Pact, will cause international unease. Both Rajoy and PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez may be replaced by their parties after the election, adding to uncertainty.

Infighting will weaken indigenous politics in Ecuador

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Racial Identity ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Politics ◽  
Electoral Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Election Results ◽  
Cast Blank

Significance Perez disputes the official election results, which place him third with 19.4% of the vote, behind right-winger Guillermo Lasso, with 19.7%. Perez has claimed electoral fraud stripped him of thousands of votes, denying him the chance to face leftist first-round leader Andres Arauz in April’s run-off. Impacts Lasso’s decision to back out of the agreement to recount the votes will cost him in the run-off. Perez will not endorse Arauz and many of his voters are likely to cast blank votes in the second round. While Pachakutik’s appeal stretches beyond indigenous communities, racial identity, ideology and regional cleavages will limit its growth.

Spain’s Colau will shape Catalonian left’s realignment

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Movement ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
New Left ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mayoral Elections ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
European Democracy ◽  
Movement Activist

Subject A profile of Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau. Significance Former social movement activist Ada Colau has been Barcelona’s mayor since June 2014. She is the most influential of several radical municipal leaders in Spain engaged in new approaches to the conduct of local politics that are aimed at achieving social and cultural change. Her party, Barcelona in Common (BComu), is in the process of establishing a new left-wing party throughout Catalonia, with the aim of winning the next regional election. Impacts Despite BComu’s radical programme, its coalition with the PSC is likely to remain stable. Colau’s European profile is set to grow thanks to her involvement with the pan-European Democracy in Europe Movement 2025. BComu is likely to push for the introduction of direct mayoral elections in Barcelona, which would benefit Colau.

Portugal Socialist government faces three-way squeeze

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
New Left ◽  
Foreign Affairs ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minority Government ◽  
Socialist Government ◽  
Step Down ◽  
Political Act ◽  
Radical Left

Significance Following a reconciliation among Portugal's left-wing parties, Silva must choose between appointing a Socialist (PS) minority government backed by smaller radical left forces, or a caretaker administration until fresh elections can be held in May or June 2016. Neither would have been his preference, and he is not rushing his decision. The new left-wing entente is based on a softening of the previous government's austerity plans. Impacts Having already missed the deadline, Portugal cannot submit a draft 2016 budget for European Commission scrutiny until it has a government. The PS's deals with the radical left exclude foreign affairs, potentially tempering US and NATO concerns about the likely new government. Naming the new government may be Silva's last significant political act before he must step down at the March 2016 end of his second term.

New Trinidad and Tobago leader faces daunting agenda

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
General Election ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Movement ◽  
Intractable Problems ◽  
Strong Performance ◽  
Election Results ◽  
Will Force ◽  
Opinion Polls

Subject The September 7 opposition victory. Significance Despite pre-election opinion polls suggesting a close contest, the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) won a clear victory against the incumbent four-party coalition of the People's Partnership (PP) in the September 7 general election. The PP's position was undermined by internal divisions, allegations of corruption and a weakening economy, while the PNM was able to project unity and reassure voters that its policy programme was credible. It also benefitted from a strong performance in the campaign by its leader, Keith Rowley. Impacts Challenges to election results will generate uncertainty but not a change in the outcome. Low oil and gas prices will force an uncomfortable economic retrenchment. Crime, corruption and ethnic divisions are further intractable problems Rowley's government must tackle.

Panama Papers leak will shift Iceland's politics

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Bank ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
New Left ◽  
Capital Controls ◽  
Parliamentary Election ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Membership

Significance President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has said neither he nor his UK-Israeli wife Dorrit Moussaieff have any knowledge of such transactions, which have been publicised in the Icelandic media. Grimsson had previously denied any link to the Panama Papers leak of offshore transactions, which have involved former Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson. Despite initially refusing to resign, Gunnlaugsson eventually stepped down on April 5. A new cabinet has been formed and elections will be held early in autumn. Impacts The new cabinet will most likely continue the previous government's policies, with few changes. If the Pirate Party can sustain its support, it may emerge as the strongest party in the next parliamentary election. Iceland may remove its capital controls soon, with the Central Bank saying that it will not "get better conditions" than now. A new left-wing government would be unlikely to reapply for EU membership without holding a referendum first.

Ecuador presidential run-off will be close-fought

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Content Type ◽  
Run Off

Headline ECUADOR: Presidential run-off will be close-fought

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document