Three months later, Germany has a government again. The outcome was expected, but the Social Democrats must still be feeling apprehensive.
Category: Party matters
Britain’s coalition brawls on immigration
The fight over EU immigration rules is now happening within Britain's coalition government, pitting the Liberal Democrats against an increasingly anti-Europe Conservative Party.
It’s a deal! (US budget edition)
Democrats and Republicans reach agreement on the US budget. It might not be much, but any agreement is an important step away from fiscal and political disaster.
Italy’s left gets a leader
The new leader of Italy's Democratic Party is said to be a moderniser. His party certainly needs some work.
Luxembourg shifts leftwards
Chalk up another win for the European centre-left, as a new three-party coalition takes office in Luxembourg.
No Austrian government, either
Austrian coalition talks seem to be proceeding even more slowly than those in Germany did. The centre-right is holding out for more aggressive debt reduction.
The Merkel victory that wasn’t
Germany gets a coalition agreement, but the actual formation of a new government is still on hold until the Social Democrats approve it. All the signs are that they will.
Liberals, Greens and a two-party system
Liberal voters tend to treat Labor rather than the Greens as the main enemy. That's different to what their leaders think – or is it?
Probably not the last Berlusconi story
Thanks to Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's centre-right is coming apart. It's probably a necessary step in the development of a more normal party system.
Election roundup: Chile and the rest
The week's election updates from Chile, the Maldives, Germany and the Czech Republic.
The World is Not Enough 