The unbelievable opinion polls in Western Australia were right, and its opposition parties were almost wiped out.
Author: Charles Richardson
Election preview: Western Australia
Western Australia's Labor government is a shoo-in for re-election tomorrow, but that doesn't mean the result will be lacking in interest.
Updating freedom and democracy
A new report from Freedom House sounds urgent alarm bells about the decline of democracy.
Does turnout matter?
Increased turnout in last year's US election probably didn't have much to do with the expansion of postal voting. Nor does it seem to have made much difference to the result.
Swiss ban the burqa
Two out of three referendum questions are approved in Switzerland: one of them a ban on face coverings promoted by the anti-Muslim lobby.
Liberal history revisited
A further volume of David Kemp's history of Australian liberalism casts more doubt on the Liberal Party's pedigree.
Hungary’s right leaves the tent
Hungary's ruling party finally leaves the mainstream European centre-right group, in a decision that may have both domestic and international implications.
Armenia’s leader hangs on, so far
Democracy is under threat in Armenia, but so far its prime minister seems to be giving a good account of himself, despite last year's military reverse.
El Salvador’s president wins big
El Salvador's autocratic president will no longer have to contend with a hostile legislature, after his party won a landslide victory on Sunday.
Italy’s “populists” come on board
Rival sorts of "populists" have lined up to support Mario Draghi's new government in Italy. If he makes a success of it, it could reshape the country's political map.
The World is Not Enough 