Stories Eastern & Central Europe

The best of VwV and the presidential campaign

  January 20, 2009

Less than one year ago, Voices without Votes was created to offer a voice of those who couldn't vote in the U.S. presidential election to those who could. Our exciting journey has reached its final destination with Barack Obama's inauguration today. However, before we say “goodbye,” our authors have chosen...

Sarkozy to Putin: “Do you want to end up like Bush?”

  November 15, 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Russian president Vladimir Putin are known for having a colorful and unpredictable relationship. Has Sarkozy's warning to Putin not to behave like the American president George W Bush been a factor in not escalating the crisis in Georgia? Bloggers from around Europe weigh in.

Poland: Reactions to Obama's Victory

  November 13, 2008

Sylwia Presley reports on the reactions to the results of the U.S. election, which dominate the Polish blogosphere today: blogging politicians, journalists, microbloggers and bloggers interested in the U.S. elections are sharing their joy when referring to Obama, as well as their skeptical opinions towards the current Polish president and the government in general.

Russia: Obama Wins, Medvedev Speaks

  November 11, 2008

Just hours after Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election, Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev delivered his first address to the Russian Federal Assembly, making statements that grabbed attention both at home and in the West. Below is a selection of Russian bloggers' thoughts regarding the address and its timing.

Debating the mystical significance of the 44th President

  November 5, 2008

For many, the number four is merely a numeral after three and before five. For those following certain Far Eastern practices, the number four and eight carries heavy significance. What happens when someone born 08/04/61 becomes the 44th President on 11/04/08?

Russian Bloggers Predict US Vote

  November 4, 2008

Anti-Americanism and racism may be big in Russia, but discussions on US presidential elections mostly reflect worldwide reactions: excitement, fear, hope, and some Obamania. Hours before America votes, many Russian-language bloggers are making predictions about the US race. While most posts are short and, often, sweet, some are still arguing for or against the candidates. Simon Maghakyan brings us the buzz from Russian-speaking blogs.

Global Experts Liveblog the Election

  November 3, 2008

The Morningside Post (a publication of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs) will be liveblogging Election Day results. Bloggers from Brazil, France, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Russia and the UK will be joining Americans in covering the event.

International bloggers tackle polling

  October 28, 2008

For many of us, scanning poll results have become a fixture of politics. The media has long been criticized for covering elections much like a horse race instead of concentrating on issues and probing the mind of voters. Candidates often complain about the polls, too, especially when those results show them trailing. International bloggers weigh in.