In a parliamentary regime, the election winner gets to be prime minister. In the European Union, things aren't quite that simple.
Category: Party matters
More about the European right
Europe's neo-fascists had a pretty good run in the European parliament elections, but not as good as some reports would have it.
Understanding the European parliament
Elections for the European parliament are expected to show increased strength for extremists and Eurosceptics. But low turnout and a complex party system will make it a difficult result to interpret.
Election preview: Belgium
Elections take place on Sunday in one of Europe's most complex political systems. Last time it took them 18 months to put a government together.
Putin, fascism and Europe
Does Vladimir Putin have a vested interest in the outcome of this week's elections to the European parliament?
France gets a new prime minister
French president François Hollande responds to defeat in local elections by a bold shift to the right. His new prime minister evokes memories of Nicolas Sarkozy.
A bad day for M. Hollande
As expected, France's local elections were a disaster for the incumbent Socialist Party. François Hollande may be looking for a new prime minister, new policies, or both.
Trouble on the far right
Europe's far-right, anti-immigrant and eurosceptic parties are not one big happy family. Far from it.
Big win for incumbents in Serbia
The Serbian Progressive Party has been triumphantly re-elected in Serbia, bringing the country further into the European mainstream.
Liberalism, Thatcherism and coalition
Britain's history of coalition politics is a fascinating one. It also helps to understand where the Liberal Democrats are coming from.
The World is Not Enough 