While Germany is trying to build a grand coalition, Austrians seem pretty unhappy with theirs. Yet it will probably survive today's vote through lack of a viable alternative.
Author: Charles Richardson
Iran: deal or no deal?
The prospects for a deal regarding Iran's nuclear program look better than they have for a long time. The Israeli government isn't happy about the idea, for reasons that may not be quite what they seem.
Centrism triumphant – sort of
The organ of French liberal opinion has an interesting view on Angela Merkel's victory.
And that’s a wrap
The left loses votes but gains seats in Germany; Angela Merkel wins but doesn't get a majority. It's a good lesson in how electoral systems do funny things to the numbers.
A German update
The German election is too close to call on the basis of exit polling alone, but it's clear that chancellor Angela Merkel has done very well.
On the spot in Germany
Election day in Germany provides an opportunity to survey some of the possibilities.
Iranians almost get Facebook again
A window opens up in Iran's censorship regime, before being slammed shut again. It's one part of a delicate political game for the country's new moderate president.
Mixed fortunes in Bavaria
Angela Merkel's forces score a morale-boosting win in the Bavarian state election, but it's not enough to dispel the underlying risk that the electoral system is posing for her next Sunday.
Chile remembers 1973
Chile marks the fortieth anniversary of the military coup that led to the Pinochet dictatorship. In a presidential election year, the country's past is still very much alive.
If you’re not sick of elections yet …
Germany votes in two weeks time on the fate of Angela Merkel's government. The result will depend in part on a quirk of the country's otherwise very democratic electoral system – a system which, incidentally, would have produced a rather different result last weekend in Australia.
