Stories about Politics from May, 2013
Russia's State-Contracted Revolutionaries
When Vladislav Surkov left the government last week, it triggered an avalanche of speculation about what the loss of “the grey cardinal” means for Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev in particular and his “liberal” political clan in general. At the center of an ongoing related police probe is Duma Deputy and anti-Putin protest movement leader Ilya Ponomarev, who earned a surprising $750,000 for his work for the Skolkovo innovation center.
Chilean Michelle Bachelet's Bid for Presidency
Center-left coalition leader and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet looks for a second Presidential term, focusing on themes of inequality, universal education, and tax reform. But have lessons been learned from the previous coalition terms? This is how Upside Down World's Matthew Owens starts an extensive analysis on Michelle Bachelet's...
Interview: Chadian Blogger and Journalist Expelled from Senegal to Guinea
The Senegalese government expelled Chadian journalist and blogger Makaila Nguebla on May 8, 2013, sending him to Guinea. He explained his situation in an interview with Global Voices' Anna Guèye.
Japan's Pregnancy Handbook Plan Forgets Men
To counter the dropping birth rate, the Japanese government is proposing compiling a handbook with information on pregnancy and family planning to educate teenage girls on the subject. This plan to distribute the so-called “women's handbook” has been met with criticism by women's groups, which argue that the issues of...
‘Black 505’ Post-Election Rallies Spread in Malaysia
The Opposition-led ‘Black 505’ rallies are spreading in Malaysia. In the past week, hundreds of thousands gathered in Kuala Lumpur and in other parts of the country to protest the outcome of the recent election. ‘Black 505’ refers to the May 5 General Election which was tainted by allegations that the ruling coalition committed massive electoral fraud to remain in power.
Is Ukrainian Right-Wing Blogger Eligible for the Bobs 2013 Award?
Ukraine was having a trouble-free debut at this year's The Bobs, Deutsche Welle's international blogger contest, until blogger Olena Bilozerska became the User Winner in the Best Blog Ukrainian nomination. Her victory turned sour and a scandal ensued when the Ukrainian netizens alerted the contest's organizers to her blog's ultra-right content. Oleg Shynkarenko reports.
South Korean President's Spokesman Sacked Over Sexual Assault Allegations
South Korean President's press spokesman, Yoon Chang-jung was fired on May 10, 2013 over allegations that he sexually assaulted an embassy intern during the president’s high-profile trip to the US.
Ukraine's Freedom Party Crusades Against Gay Pride Parade
On May 25, Ukraine will once again attempt to hold its first gay pride parade ever. The previous attempt failed a year ago, when the event was cancelled shortly before it was to begin and one of its organizers was beaten by a group of masked men. Judging from the online reactions that began to appear as soon as the upcoming Equality March was announced, things may not go very smoothly this year as well.
Pakistanis Vote in Huge Numbers Despite Threats, Alleged Poll Rigging
Amid threats of terrorism and reports of rigging, determined voters in Pakistan turned out in high numbers and braved chaotic polling stations and long lines on May 11, 2013 to have their say in the country's first ever democratic transition of power.
Is Iran's Most Believable Presidential Candidate a Fictional Character?
The iron fist of Iran's regime allows no chance for opposition candidates to run in the presidential election, but in the virtual realm, a new graphic novel character is the champion of a free and fair election.
Italy: Art Historians Rally in L'Aquila
Four years after the devastating earthquake that hit L’ Aquila, in Abruzzo, Italy, little or nothing has been rebuilt and the picturesque old town remains largely uninhabited, while many residents live in much debated [it] new towns. On May 5, 2013 almost a thousand art historians rallied together [it] in the historical center...
‘What Else Do the Chinese Want?’ Election Headline Enrages Malaysians
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak blamed Chinese voters for the slim majority of the administration party in the general elections. He called it the 'Chinese Tsunami.' Then, a Malay newspaper ran an article titled ‘Apa lagi Cina mahu?’ (What else do the Chinese want?), immediately causing backlash in Malaysia
Pakistan Election Updates and Results Online
Mehwish khan at ProPakistani compiles a list of sites which are providing live updates and results of the Pakistan general elections 2013.
Interfaith Groups: Stop Religious Violence in Myanmar
Interfaith groups in Myanmar are actively working for peace, understanding and harmony amid rising cases of violence against the minority Muslims in the country
Australia’s SandwichGate: PM Julia Gillard Better Take Cover
The mainstream media have been accused of trivialising political coverage in Australia over an incident involving Prime Minister Julia Gillard and a sandwich on 8 May 2013. Apparently, it even went viral overseas both in the press and online.
RuNet Apprehensive over Surkov's Dismissal, End of Political Era
"Before there was trickery, now it has been replaced with criminal charges and prison sentences. Surkov, whatever you may think of him, is, first of all, a political aesthete, who won't break pots with a hammer"
Hong Kong's Policymaking Keeps China in Mind
Two confidential Hong Kong Government memorandums has been leaked. The documents would take effect from 1 June 2013 and require an assessment on Mainland reaction and related public relations measures will become a mandatory requirement for all policy committee papers and Executive Council submission. Bad Canto believes that “Hong Kong...
Chinese Politics like Heredity Monarchy?
The current Chinese Communist Party leaders are the second generation red and the third and the fourth generations are emerging in the political scene. The political system in China is more and more like a hereditary monarchy, said Chinese netizens. Off Beat China summarized the discussion.
Caribbean: Can CARIBCAN Happen?
Blogger Kevin Edmonds examines the impending Canada-CARICOM Free Trade Agreement.
Haiti: The “White Savior Industrial Complex”
kiskeácity links to a letter which “echoes many of the issues Haitians face with the White Savior Industrial Complex…and its army of 3,000 NGOs, 12,000 UN troops, innumerable speakers for Haiti, appropriators of Haiti's ancestral religion, culture and music and other so-called ‘allies’ who silence Haitians for a profit while...
Conservative Pundit Sues South Korea's Saturday Night Live TV Show
Political satire in South Korea is having a rough go of it these days. The country's version of American comedy show Saturday Night Live faces a lawsuit filed by a conservative pundit who was lampooned on the program. And earlier this year, the wildly popular sketch-comedy show Gag Concert was reprimanded by authorities for addressing the South Korean president in too casual a manner.
