Catalonia's fugitive independence leader is free again, but his cause is in as much disarray as ever.
Category: Political issues
An alarming runoff in Costa Rica
Costa Ricans get to choose on Sunday between two presidential candidates with the same surname. Polling suggests that the fundamentalist has the edge.
Election preview: Russia
Russia's presidential election, or "election", doesn't require much analysis, but it still raises some interesting issues.
The fantasy world of Brexit
Attempts to square the Brexit circle remain unsuccessful. But do the Tory Brexiters really care?
The centre strikes back
Germany can finally get a new government after the Social Democrats vote resoundingly in favor of a coalition with the centre-right.
Election preview: Italy
The centre-left's predicament in Italy probably looks worse than it is. But in the circumstances that's not much consolation.
The trials of social democracy
Centre-left parties in Germany and Italy are putting their futures on the line next week. There's a thriving industry in trying to work out what's gone wrong with social democracy.
No, not Weimar
Germany heads for another grand coalition. It's not a rerun of the 1930s, regardless of what some commentators think.
Where to next for Catalonia?
Catalonia has returned from the Christmas break to find that its constitutional crisis is no nearer a solution.
What is a country?
Appeasement of China on the travel front opens some interesting questions about what should count as a country.
