The republic and the Republicans

A republic threatened by the tensions of empire and the rise of authoritarian demagogues. Now, where have we seen that before?

World election news, part II

More world electoral news (an occasional feature). Today Macedonia, Bulgaria, Italy and Gambia.

There's a lot happening in the electoral world. Today Romania, France, Iceland and Ghana; part II to follow tomorrow.

Two almost-neighboring countries in south-eastern Europe go to the polls tonight, in the last major elections of 2016.

Hillary Clinton's victory keeps getting bigger in terms of votes. But America seems stuck with a system where votes don't matter.

A referendum in Italy and a runoff election are both tests of Europe's political future.

France's president decides to bow out of a contest that seemed hopeless. But it's not clear that his party will do any better in his absence.

No surprises in the second round of France's Republican primary, but it foreshadows a fascinating presidential election in five months' time.

The death of Fidel Castro would be a good opportunity for reflection on some serious issues. Instead, many on both sides have embarrassed themselves.

Not only did Hillary Clinton clearly win the popular vote, her margin is still growing. That marks a problem that America really needs to address.