Quebec's minority pro-independence government loses an early election, ensuring that the province will stay part of Canada for a while yet.
Category: Referenda
Crimea’s gone, but it’s not World War III
Crimea is one thing, eastern Ukraine is quite another. And we're a long way off having to worry about Poland and the Baltic states.
OK, let’s talk about self-determination
If the Ukraine crisis was just about Crimean self-determination, it would probably be a lot easier.
A Europhobe takes the floor
Daniel Hannan argues that Britain is the home of freedom while the EU is its enemy. Unfortunately it's not quite as simple as that.
What to do about Crimea?
Pro-Russian elements have taken up strategic positions in Crimea, but it's not yet clear if the momentum is there for them to attempt secession – or how much Russia will back them if they do.
Telling the Scots what to do is a risky strategy
Scottish independence this year still looks like a long shot, but some of its opponents probably aren't helping their own cause.
Switzerland tries to back out of Europe
Switzerland votes – very narrowly – for new restrictions on immigration, calling into question its future in the European single market.
Constitutional change is harder than it looks
Media reports on Tony Abbott's push for constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians convey an impression of novelty. Yet nothing has really changed.
Catalonia’s choice
Catalans want to vote on whether to be independent from Spain. Getting a referendum will be harder than it is for Scotland, but there's probably more chance of a "Yes" vote if it happens.
Egyptians vote yes – without much choice
There's no doubt about the result of Egypt's constitutional referendum, since campaigning for a "No" vote was effectively illegal. But the turnout might tell us something about the underlying level of support for the military.
The World is Not Enough 