European Forum

Armenia

Tue 19 Feb 2013 In contrast to the presidential elections in 2008, which were followed by violent protests and clashes between the opposition and the law enforcement that left 10 people dead, the presidential elections of 2013 were peaceful and calm in nature. With the main perceived opposition challengers not participated, they were marked by a general apathy and a relatively easy victory for incumbent president Serzh Sarkisian.
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Israel

Tue 5 Feb 2013 Israel is situated between Jordan, Syria, Egypt, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. The creation of Israel was the culmination of the Zionist movement, whose aim was a homeland for Jews scattered all over the world following the Diaspora. After World War Two (WWII), international support to create an Israeli state immensely grew. The division of the former British mandate of Palestine and the creation of the state Israel in 1948 by the United Nations (UN) has been at the heart of Middle Eastern conflicts for the past half century. The elections for the Knesset are always influenced by the fragile situation in the Middle East. Unlike the previous elections, the general elections of 2013 largely focused on the social and economic situation, instead of the prospects for a permanent peace agreement with the Palestinians. After these elections, the Likud-Beitenu alliance claimed victory. Read full update