Europe polarising around austerity and racism
By Nicky Dempsey
Europe is increasingly polarised. The decisive issues in the latest European elections were austerity and racism, with parties implementing austerity continuing to lose votes.
elections
Sinn Féin’s stunning advance
By Frances Davis
In last week’s elections Sinn Féin stood on a strong anti-austerity programme, both north and south, with a clear, left alternative economic policy coupled with a strong advocacy of the peace process and for Irish reunification. Its vote is the strongest for the party since 1918.
Disastrous results for Hollande’s Socialist Party in March’s Municipal elections
By Najete Michell
Although the March elections in France were only at a local level, they took on a national character. They were the first elections since the Socialist Party (PS) formed the government in 2012 and were therefore the first opportunity to test the level of discontent at its record so far.
UKIP and the stakes for the left
By Jane West
The results of the local elections were above all a devastating blow to the Tories.
But while they confirm Labour is on course for a win at the 2015 General Election, this at present is not due to a significant turn to the left in the population.
What is at stake in the Dutch elections
By Nicky Dempsey
Dutch voters go to the polls faced with a unique combination of the political and economic factors which have dominated Europe since the onset of the crisis.