Tag Archives: elections

Women, you are allowed to vote. – For me. If at all.

Posted on 27 September 2011 by

Last weekend, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has announced that women might in future be allowed to stand as candidates in municipal elections and “will even have a right to vote”. Among women’s rights activists, excitement and optimism have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Saudi Arabia | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Two down, more to go.

Posted on 13 February 2011 by

What a year 2011 has already been in the Middle East and North Africa: In Tunisia and in Egypt, two long-term dictatorships have been toppled by street protests. If the transformation of this part of the world continues at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mubarak doesn’t get the point.

Posted on 11 February 2011 by

President Mubarak’s speech on the evening of 10 February 2011 was not only a disappointment to Egyptians and the world, but it will be remembered as one of the worst political speeches ever. Poorly written and delivered, filled with platitudes, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Merger Control of a different kind

Posted on 1 February 2011 by

With merger control, governments and courts usually try to prevent companies from joining forces and forming a monopoly that would have negative effects for the market and for consumers. A court in Germany has now stopped a merger of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Elections, Germany, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Borat or Bilo? No, it’s Nursultan in Kazakhstan.

Posted on 7 November 2010 by

Four years after the release of Borat (or Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan as the full title is), Kazakhstan still doesn’t seem to have gotten over it. Borat, by and with Sacha Baron … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Election Boycott – What is it good for?

Posted on 6 November 2010 by

If this headline reminds you of the 1970 song “War” by Edwin Starr, then you already have your answer: “Absolutely nothing!” In pseudo-democratic to openly oppressive countries around the world, opposition parties and candidates regularly face a tough choice: Should … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Iran, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reports about my trip to Iran in June/July 2009

Posted on 30 July 2009 by

You might have heard about my trip to Iran in June and July 2009 to join the protests against the rigged elections, a trip that ended up in the infamous Evin prison in Tehran, in the captivity of Iran’s Intelligence … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Iran, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 56 Comments