Stories about Politics from May, 2009
Jamaica: And now for the Bad News
“Former PM Edward Seaga was never accused of being a ray of sunshine when he was an active politician”: Jamaica and the World reports that Seaga's analysis of the island's economic situation leaves the current administration with “no soft options. No easy answers. No exit.”
Guyana, Barbados: Illegal Immigration
When it comes to the issue of illegal immigrants in Barbados, Guyanese blogger Imran Khan says: “What is wong is wrong”, adding in another post: “I’m interested in learning what, specifically, President Bharrat Jagdeo is accusing the Barbadians of being ‘un-CARICOM-like’ about?”
Armenia: Nationalist Revisionism, Deception
Unzipped comments on the the appearance of election campaign posters for the Armenian Revolutionary Federation — Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) ahead of this weekend's municipal vote in Yerevan. The blog notes that the party appears to be pushing its position on relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey to voters and even uses photographs...
Malawi elections: Upending the pundits’ predictions
With the elections over and the incumbent president Bingu wa Mutharika sworn in for his second and last term, Malawian bloggers (Mabloga) are awed by two developments that went against the predictions of many, especially the punditry. First was the suggestion that the presidential contest would be very close. It...
China: Korea Former President’s Suicide, Chinese Reactions
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated Chinese netizens’ reactions on the news of Korea former president's Roh Moo Hyun's sudden death.
Brazil: Petroleum, elections and poverty matters
Discussions of an investigation into the nation's biggest state-owned company and its possible political motivation fill the Brazilian blogosphere. This debate takes place in a Brazilian society which sees 'black gold' as a solution to the country's economic and energy problems.
Brazil: Fighting against cyber surveillance
Brazilian cyberactivists are again taking action against online surveillance in defence of the netcitizen rights. The Mega Não! protest has been triggered by the controversial digital crimes bill which aims to control cybercrime, raising serious issues on digital rights management and the free use of digital devices. There will be...
Egypt: Message to Obama
The Arabist linked to Voices for a Democratic Egypt head Dina Guirguis’ message in The Washington Post to US President Barack Obama, ahead of his expected visit to Egypt next month. She urged him to confront the Egyptian regime, and choose a neutral location for his speech.
Indonesia: Presidential election survey
Survey result shows Indonesia's incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is still leading among the candidates for the July polls.
Indonesia: Wealthy candidates
Jakartass reviews the wealth reports submitted by Indonesia's presidential candidates. Many of them have businesses outside of Indonesia.
Ukraine: Russian Ads; PM's Hairdo; Crimea
Russian ads in Ukraine; Yulia Tymoshenko's hairdo; labor minister's text message interaction with her daughter regarding a government job offer for her father; the Crimean Tatars’ situation and the mess in the Crimean capital's city council – at Ukrainiana.
Morocco: Therapy Abroad, Apathy at Home
The global economic downturn seems to be affecting tourism worldwide, a sector upon which the Moroccan economy is heavily dependent. The north African kingdom has launched a wide campaign to polish its image abroad and attract more travelers. But what is the reality on the ground, as local elections approach, as reported by Moroccan bloggers?
Egyptian Tycoon Sentenced to Death
Egyptians witnessed the most unexpected verdict in the history of their judiciary system: Billionaire Hesham Talaat Moustafa, along with his hired hitman Mohsen El Sokary, have both been sentenced to death for their roles in the murder of Lebanese singer Suzanne Tameem. The gruesome murder took place in Dubai, UAE, and Thursday's sentence was met with shock and bewilderment as the blogosphere comes to terms with the verdict.
Korea: The Death of the Least Corrupt President in Korean History with the Corruption Scandal
Roh Moo-hyun, the previous president of Korea, died today. Suffering from the bribery scandal and investigation from the prosecution authority, the previous president who tried to live a quiet life in his hometown after his governance jumped off of a mountain behind his house. Without any clear evidence of bribery,...
Korea: North Korea cancels all contracts with South Korea at the Kaesong Joint Industrial Complex
North Korea cancels all contracts with South Korea at the Kaesong Joint Industrial Complex. There are several posts about this news in Korean blogs.
Armenia: Belated election blogging
Unzipped says that the incumbent Mayor of Yerevan, Gagik Beglarian [AM], has started blogging ahead of next week's municipal election in the Armenian capital. However, the blog wonders why the blog has appeared only a week before the potentially controversial vote, but also says that with comments so far heaping...
Malawi: Presidential Elections Results At a Glance
African Elections Project posts Malawi Elections 2009: Key Presidential Results at a Glance.
Lithuania: Election Roundup
With a Grain of Druska writes that in Lithuania, “it is time for a younger, more energetic leader.” Eternal Remont mentions president-elect's karate skills: “[…] who wants to see the judo master Putin go against the black belt Grybauskaite in an ultimate fighting match?” More updates – at Lituanica: Dalia...
South Korea: Roh Moo-hyun dies
Todd Thacker from Ohmynews International reported about South Korea former president Roh Moo-hyun's sudden death. Western media mostly assumed that Roh had committed suicide because of corruption scandal.
Malawi: Time to heal campaign bruises
It is time for Malawi to heal 2009 campaign bruises: Mutharika said it was time for Malawi to heal “bruises of a gruelling campaign” and focus on developing the country. To prove his commitment to this endeavour, the president assured the opposition and all Malawians that he will not practice...
China and Taiwan: Support democracy
David explains why Taiwanese should support democracy in China.
