ELECTION EXTRAVAGANZA: 2012 Will Tell All (MAP) 
Egypt Election Results May Be Delayed 
Former Finance Minister Key In Greek Coalition Talks 
French President's Ex Loses Parliament Race 
Egytian Military Issues Interim 'Constitutional Declaration'
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The Blog
Today there is a threat: this party, the Front National, that preaches disunion, promotes an exit from the European Union and proposes suicidal measures in a time of crisis.
As French and Greek voters make their feeling about spending cuts loud and clear, we ask ourselves: why has there been such a strong swing to anti-austerity/pro-growth, how does this threaten the survival of the euro and is a Greek default still possible?
As Europe's conservatives watch in dismay and even horror, the second big shoe is about to drop in French politics. Far-rightist Marine Le Pen appears set to emerge triumphant from the wreckage of France's defeated center-right.
The results are a death blow to the country's decades-long two-party system, leaving both Pasok and New Democracy in a lurch. But this should not come as a surprise considering the widespread popular discontent largely due to how the Greek crisis and how has been handled.
However one cuts it, Messr. Hollande faces the same hard choices as does his defeated predecessor. Does he impose crushing new taxes on the wealthy or does he impose new taxes on everyone to help achieve revenue targets needed to help offset France's deficit?
For this American in Paris, presidential politics, French-style, have been a sharp reminder that this country retains its peculiarities despite globalization.
As two countries in the EU, France and Greece, go to polls on Sunday, far-right or populist nationalist movements are on the rise on the continent even further, to the degree that they will soon seriously challenge the post-WWII order.
When Greeks go to the polls on Sunday, they will be reeling from one of the worst economic crisis in history that has cost them their jobs, pensions and is now denying them the power to plan for their future. So what is the way out?
The world may be talking about the upcoming Greek elections but the Greeks -- true to their adolescent hearts -- are out in the sun swimming, tanning, drinking coffee and enjoying the moment. Tomorrow is another day.
We don't need anymore confusion and anxiety in our already fragile society. It is time for this campaign to be over, to end an ugly chapter in which the party still in charge is ready to say, do, or protest whatever they want to win an election.
Today, nearly forty years after its founding and, whatever the result of the presidential election, the real battle against the Front National begins.
France is now at a crossroads: one road leads to economic and moral bankruptcy under François Hollande; the other leads to growth, jobs, competitiveness, greatness and the pride of being French. This is the France Nicolas Sarkozy is proposing.
The Egyptian people have regained their voice. They have begun to express their views and choices in the great debate that runs through the entire length and breadth of the country, extending well beyond the issue of the presidency to political, social and economic life.
The results of the primaries of the French presidential elections are not a huge surprise as the two expected candidates will be present in the second round, and the socialist candidate, Francois Hollande, is likely to be the next President of the French Republic.
A President of France who has never been a cabinet minister? Until recently, the thought would have been absurd. But the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal has thrown France into turmoil. François Hollande, the mild-mannered regional governor, is leading the polls.
Madame Le Pen encourages boos when she mentions my name at her rallies. She never misses a chance to shower me with insults, sometimes rather filthy ...
