Election

Period in review: August 28-September 3, 2009

Gabon (Sep 03, 2009)

Violent protests erupted in and around Libreville on Thursday following election officials’ announcement that Ali BONGO had won Sunday’s Presidential election with 42 percent of votes. Though results were due Sunday night, election commissioners had repeatedly delayed their release, most recently on Wednesday. Many analysts including a cabinet member have questioned the veracity of the voter registry, and three candidates were claiming victory as of Tuesday. Curfews are in effect, many Gabonese are stockpiling provisions, and French troops are patrolling Port-Gentil following an attack on that country’s consulate. BONGO is the son of El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba, who ruled Gabon for more than four decades. The senior BONGO died in June.

Colombia (Sep 02, 2009)

Colombia’s House of Representatives on Tuesday authorized a referendum on whether the Presidential term limit should be extended from two to three. If the constitutional court follows suit, most analysts expect an affirmative vote, which will allow President Alvaro URIBE to seek re-election. URIBE’S bid has received a mixed response including support from some members of the United States Congress. Colombia’s Senate assented to the bill on August 19, and supporters in the House needed 84 votes. The final vote was 85 to 5.

Greece (Sep 02, 2009)

Greece will hold early Parliamentary elections on October 4, according to sources inside the government of Prime Minister Costas KARAMANLIS. Elections were scheduled for 2011, but analysts believe the opposition-leading Panhelenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) would have sought a no-confidence vote during presiding officer elections in March 2010. KARAMANLIS’ New Democracy Party lags behind the PASOK in most polls, mainly due to discontent with economic conditions and a corruption scandal.

Japan (Sep 02, 2009)

Japan’s opposition Democratic Party (DPJ) will lead that country’s government for the first time since 1994, following landmark lower house elections last weekend. The DPJ gained 195 seats in the House of Representatives, and the Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled the country since 1955 except for an 11-month interlude, lost 177 seats. Yukio HATOYAMA, expected to become Premier, has reached out to other small opposition parties in order to form a coalition. There are no existing rules governing transfers of power, but leaders from both factions have jointly pledged a smooth transition.