It Could Be a Million Miles Away...
It is interesting to watch three democratic processes occur across the world simultaneously at the moment, and watch as they each evolve into something bigger.
In Kenya, we had the elections which many of the campaigners are claiming were fixed so that Mr Kibaki won, as opposed to the Raila Odinga. It is these claims, coupled with the ethnic tensions across Kenya which have seen one of the more democratically sound countries of Africa collapse amid scenes of church burning and health fears. I do not know enough about Kenyan politics to try and offer my view as to which would be a better choice for the country, but for the immediate future it is imperative that Kibaki rises to the challenge of sorting out the problems that have occurred, irrespective of whether the vote was fixed. What then for the long term? These suggestions will not go away, and neither will the violence until something drastic happens. We can only wait and see.
Contrast this with Georgia where small protests about the snap election have been muted and largely ineffective, as worldwide observers claim that this is a democratic election. After 7% of the vote had been counted, the current president, Mr Saakashvili was leading the way with 55% of the vote, needing only half the overall total to become president again, without the need for a second round of voting. Those in the opposing corner are the ones who are making the biggest noises, and protests about the initial results have resulted in the doubt being cast. Again, we can only wait.
Finally, America. Following Iowa, Obama and Huckabee have led the way for their respective parties. Some claim that Obama is about to overtake Mrs Clinton in New Hampshire too. From my point of view, the whole American system seems overly complicated, I'm not sure quite why there needs to be a difference between primaries and caucuses for example, but will watch as the democrats turn their campaigns into an increasingly two horse race. The republicans, not really making any headlines continue to potter along. Everyone is now waiting eagerly for 5 February, or super Tuesday to see who comes out fighting from each party.
All the elections are bound to have a worldwide impact. Kenya is already having such an impact, the call for aid from Western countries is growing more critical every day. In Georgia, if the current president maintains his role, relations with Russia will become more strained, and consequently relations with the west (whom Mr Saakashvili sympathises with) will follow suit. America are in the midst of choosing who they want to lead the free world onwards after the current incumbent leaves the role.
Back in Britain, Mr Brown has told us "2008 will be a year of real and serious changes". Always one for the understatement our Gordon.
Luke
In Kenya, we had the elections which many of the campaigners are claiming were fixed so that Mr Kibaki won, as opposed to the Raila Odinga. It is these claims, coupled with the ethnic tensions across Kenya which have seen one of the more democratically sound countries of Africa collapse amid scenes of church burning and health fears. I do not know enough about Kenyan politics to try and offer my view as to which would be a better choice for the country, but for the immediate future it is imperative that Kibaki rises to the challenge of sorting out the problems that have occurred, irrespective of whether the vote was fixed. What then for the long term? These suggestions will not go away, and neither will the violence until something drastic happens. We can only wait and see.
Contrast this with Georgia where small protests about the snap election have been muted and largely ineffective, as worldwide observers claim that this is a democratic election. After 7% of the vote had been counted, the current president, Mr Saakashvili was leading the way with 55% of the vote, needing only half the overall total to become president again, without the need for a second round of voting. Those in the opposing corner are the ones who are making the biggest noises, and protests about the initial results have resulted in the doubt being cast. Again, we can only wait.
Finally, America. Following Iowa, Obama and Huckabee have led the way for their respective parties. Some claim that Obama is about to overtake Mrs Clinton in New Hampshire too. From my point of view, the whole American system seems overly complicated, I'm not sure quite why there needs to be a difference between primaries and caucuses for example, but will watch as the democrats turn their campaigns into an increasingly two horse race. The republicans, not really making any headlines continue to potter along. Everyone is now waiting eagerly for 5 February, or super Tuesday to see who comes out fighting from each party.
All the elections are bound to have a worldwide impact. Kenya is already having such an impact, the call for aid from Western countries is growing more critical every day. In Georgia, if the current president maintains his role, relations with Russia will become more strained, and consequently relations with the west (whom Mr Saakashvili sympathises with) will follow suit. America are in the midst of choosing who they want to lead the free world onwards after the current incumbent leaves the role.
Back in Britain, Mr Brown has told us "2008 will be a year of real and serious changes". Always one for the understatement our Gordon.
Luke
