ElectionGuide
IFES

Hong Kong (Feb 03, 2010)
Two major, pro-Beijing parties say they will boycott upcoming by-elections to vacancies left by five pro-democracy legislators who resigned on January 26th. Many in the media have called the by-elections a de facto referendum on the depth of Hong Kong's democracy. Because of the boycott, some of the seats may see unopposed races.

United Kingdom (Feb 02, 2010)
Prime Minister Gordon BROWN this week said his government will propose legislation authorizing a referendum on the British electoral system. If the House of Commons agrees, the vote would be in October 2011, well after Parliamentary elections that are due by June 2010. The proposed Alternative Vote system (AV), also known as Instant Runoff Voting, would preserve single-seat constituencies and have voters rank choices in order of preference. Opponents have variously criticized the proposal as a move to buy Liberal Democrats' support for a minority government and an attempt to change the voting system in anticipation of election defeat. One study, however, indicates that AV's ultimate beneficiary would be unclear, and another claims the Conservative Party is most likely to benefit. Britain's Electoral Reform Society has publicly endorsed the possible referendum as "a stepping stone" to farther reaching change.

Ukraine (Jan 19, 2010)
Russia will dispatch an ambassador to Ukraine after a delay of several months, said Russian President Dmitry MEDVEDEV. Relations between the countries have chilled in recent years over several issues including access to energy markets and relations with NATO. MEDVEDEV expressed optimism that Ukraine's next President will seek closer ties to Moscow. His announcement came soon after Sunday’s first-round election defeat of President Victor YUSHCHENKO. YUSHCHENKO emerged with less than six percent of votes, while YANUKOVYCH and TYMOSHENKO won 35 and 25 percent, respectively. Many of YANUKOVYCH'S votes came from the Russian-speaking east and south of the country, while TYMOSHENKO'S support was largely concentrated in northern and central Ukraine. YANUKOVYCH and TYMOSHENKO will face each other in a runoff on February 7.

Iceland (Jan 19, 2010)
Voters will decide March 6 on their government's repayment plan to Dutch and British creditors, according to an offical announcement this week. About one-fourth of voters signed a petition opposing Parliament's December 31 repayment bill, and President Olaf GRIMSSON has refused to sign it, instead calling a referendum. London and The Hague paid more than 5.4 billion US dollars to nationals with accounts in two Icelandic banks in late 2008. Account-holders were unable to access their savings, which were guaranteed by the Icelandic government, for up to two months after October 8.

Croatia (Jan 11, 2010)
President-elect Ivo JOSPOVIC on Monday said he would cooperate with a center-right government to complete European Union (EU) accession talks within six months. His plans to bring Croatia into the EU would require reforming the judiciary, selling state enterprises, and tackling corruption. JOSPOVIC defeated runner-up and independent candidate Milan BANDIC by more than 20 points in second-round Presidential elections last weekend. Twelve candidates ran in the December 27 first round to succeed incumbent President Stjepan MESIC, who was term-limited. JOSPOVIC represents the Social Democratic Party, which leads the opposition in Parliament.