The Berlusconi drama seems to have had a lot of last acts. But Wednesday's was an important one, with Italy's economic and political stability at stake.
Category: Party matters
As expected in Austria
Austria's election result was in line with the opinion polls. There'll now be a period of talks on a new coalition, but it looks like ending with the incumbents back in office.
Election preview: Austria
While Germany is trying to build a grand coalition, Austrians seem pretty unhappy with theirs. Yet it will probably survive today's vote through lack of a viable alternative.
Election roundup – loose ends edition
This week, updates from Mali, Czechia, Iran and Venezuela.
Berlusconi: really guilty this time?
Finally a definitive conviction is recorded against Silvio Berlusconi. Italy's politicians need to learn to live without him, but it's not clear that they are up to the task.
Chile loses a contender
Depression forces the withdrawal of the centre-right's candidate for the Chilean presidency. His replacement will face an uphill task.
Luxembourg loses a prime minister
Luxembourg's Jean-Claude Juncker becomes the second EU prime minister for the year to resign over a spy scandal. Early elections could threaten the centre-right's traditional predominance.
Rick Perry looks towards bigger things
Texas governor Rick Perry announces he will retire at the end of his current term. Is he again looking towards the presidency? And could he be the right choice for the Republicans this time?
Political advertising revisited
Watch a relatively effective piece of government advertising. Think about how much worse it gets than that. Then wonder why political parties can't pay for their own advocacy.
Incentive effects
If you increase the demand for political bastardry, you'll get more of it in the future. It's not entirely clear that the federal Labor Party realises this.
The World is Not Enough 