The UK Independence Party wins itself a second seat in the House of Commons. It's bad news for the Conservatives, and not much joy for Labour or the Lib Dems either.
Category: Party matters
Lessons from Victoria
Some recent stories on the Victorian election contain lessons of more general relevance.
Election preview: French Senate
France's Socialist government is likely to lose its Senate majority on Sunday, but its longer-term future may depend on how well it can exploit internal divisions in the centre-right opposition.
Coalition with a conscience?
It looks as if the Liberal Party is likely to get a conscience vote on introducing same-sex marriage in Australia. The interesting question is what it will do with it.
Juncker gets the job
Luxembourgish Christian Democrat Jean-Claude Juncker will be the next head of the European Commission. At best it's a small step towards democratic accountability.
Election preview: Slovenia
Slovenia's voters seem poised to punish the established parties for failing to deal with official corruption. A cleanskin law professor is the most likely beneficiary.
Sarkozy down but not out
Nicolas Sarkozy, under investigation for corruption, could still play a vital role in the next French presidential election.
Howard Baker, RIP
Howard Baker, who died on Thursday aged 88, led the first Republican Senate majority for a generation. His leadership style would be unwelcome among today's Republicans.
Far right still out in the cold
The party makeup of the new European parliament reflects a shift towards the extremes, but the far right was still unable to form a political group of its own.
Republicans go for a moderate
Eric Cantor, who lost his primary election last week, will be replaced as majority leader by a Californian pragmatist.
The World is Not Enough 