Sweden's Changing Political Landscape

 Source: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/09/weeping-with-an-eyepatch-no-pirates-elected-to-the-swedish-parliament/

Sweden has always been known for its social democracy, its paradisiacal welfare system, high living standards and a strong economy.  In 2005 the British Guardian called Sweden “the most successful society the world has ever known” (“The Strange Death of Social-Democratic Sweden”). The results of September parliamentary elections in Sweden indicate that all this may very soon change.   The election night of September 19 was a turning point in Sweden’s history and its political landscape.  This is how a Swedish newspaper describes the election results: “A centre-right government (The Alliance) without a majority, a crashed social democracy and a kingmaker party with roots in the far-right” (“Swedish Election Result”).

For the first time since the 1930s the Swedish Social Democrats were ousted by the main centre-right party, the Moderates. Its leader and incumbent Prime Minister of Sweden Fredrik Reinfeldt and his four-party centre-right coalition won under 50% of the vote and took 172 of the 349 seats in the Riksdag (Swedish parliament). However, the alliance -- which includes the Moderate Party, Liberal People's Party, Christian Democrats, and the Center party – did not secure its outright majority in the parliament. This happened because the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) gained more than 4% of the vote, what enabled them to enter parliament for the first time. With 20 seats in the Riksdag, the SD, whose anti- immigrant policies shocked the majority of people in Sweden, now hold the balance of power between the two big blocks of Swedish parliamentary politics  (“Sweden Narrowly Re-Elects Centre-Right Alliance”).

Sweden was dominated by the Social Democrats since the 1930s. The party has been in government for 65 years of the past 78 years. It has built the famously generous welfare state avoiding wholesale nationalization. But its popularity was steadily dropping in numbers in the past few years. The poll made just before the elections showed that the Social democrat’s rating was below 30% compared with the 40-45% of former times One of the reasons for that, analysts say, is the overall dissatisfaction with the “Swedish model,” as well as “a malaise in socialism in the whole world” (“The Swedish Election. Moderate and Happy”).

Sweden has joined a string of European countries which have seen far-right parties win the electorate. The highest vote for the far right in all of Europe – 17% – was remarkably in the Netherlands, where the Freedom Party won four seats out of 25. Another example is the Danish People’s Party, which won 15 % of the vote in Denmark. Far right parties gained three seats apiece in Romania and Bulgaria, as well as one seat in Slovakia. They are joined by Greece’s Popular Orthodox Rally, the Austrian Freedom Party, Italy’s Lega Nord (Northern League), the British National Party, the Jobbik party from Hungary, and the Finnish Perussuomalaiset (‘True Finns’) (“Europe’s Far Right Rises”).

It is difficult to predict the exact way the parliamentary elections in Sweden will reshape its political landscape and that of Europe. But it definitely will. Another question to ask is: will the Moderates be able to gain support from the majority in Parliament? They better do, because if they do not than an opposition party (the far-rights) can call for a no-confidence vote – a tool to undermine the majority party, leading to political chaos.  Time will show. The last word has not been said quite yet.

Works cited

“Europe’s Far Right Rises.” Red Pepper. 31 Aug. 2009, 29 Sept. 2010 <http://www.redpepper.org.uk/Europe-s-far-right-rises>.

“Swedish election Result a Nightmare Scenario.” The Swedish Wire. 20 Sept.  2010, 29 Sept. 2010 <http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/6265-swedish-election-result-the-end-of-an-era>.

“Sweden Narrowly Re-Elects Centre-Right Alliance.” BBC News UK. 19 Sept. 2010, 28 Sept. 2010 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11360495>.

 “The Strange Death of Social-Democratic Sweden.” The Economist. Sept. 18-24, 2010. Vol. 396.  No 8700.

 “The Swedish election. Moderate and Happy.” The Economist. Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2010. Vol. 396. No 8701.

Is He the Un?

The secretive and unpredictable government of North Korea is greasing its cogs and making moves, the only question is, in which direction? The Korean Worker’s Party is having a large gathering for the first time in 30 years. Three decades ago, when the party last convened, Kim Jong-Il was raised to a position from which he later succeeded his father Kim Il-sung from. Speculators believe that at this meeting, someone will now be put into place to later succeed the current Supreme Leader. Kim Jong-Il has been suffering from a variety of health ailments recently, leading the world to begin questioning who will follow him when passes away.

All fingers point to the third and youngest son of the North Korean pseudo-royal family, 28 year old Kim Jong Un to follow in the footsteps of his father. Educated in Switzerland and a known big fan of NBA basketball, Kim Jong Un it is believed to have been chosen over his two older brothers to become the next Supreme Leader. His recent appointment to the National Defense Commission gives credibility to all this speculation. The National Defense Commission of North Korea is the country’s main governing body, whose Chairman is Kim Jong-Il. Everything that has to do with North Korean politics is always very secretive, and all information regarding internal affairs comes from second hand knowledge, as the North Korean does not make public announcements, and few people are let in and out of its borders.

Many argue that Un might be too young to take the reins of the country if his father were to step down or pass away soon. Some believe that Chang Sung Taek, vice-chairman of the National Defense Committee and brother-in-law to Kim Jong-Il might be the real leader of the country if this were to happen, acting as a steward or a regent for the young and inexperienced heir. In neighboring South Korea, news agencies follow the Kim family closely, relaying information gathered from unbeknownst sources which can rarely be confirmed, yet most of which supports the idea that Kim Jong Un is the heir-apparent.

How this will affect North Korea internally and externally remains to be seen. The passing away of a leader can be a time of change and insecurity, especially when so much power is based around that one person. North Korea remains very closely tied with China, although there seem to be some separation between the two countries over recent years. China has supported UN sanctions against the North, but continues to be very economically active with its small southern neighbor. China’s recent growth in economic prowess has led many to believe that China will push North Korea to follow in its footsteps, and open up more to the world. A change in leadership in North Korea could mean more of the same, or it could lead to a world of change for a country and a regime shrouded in secrecy.

Khmer Rouge Case Trials – International standards of Justice

Last Thursday, a United Nations backed war tribunal court in Cambodia formally indicted four senior surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge on charges of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and murder. They have been in custody since late 2007 under charges involving the deaths of 1.7 million people by execution, starvation, overwork and disease during their Khmer Rouge reign between 1975 and 1979. [1] With the upsetting earlier case of Duch (real name Kaing Guek Eay), who’s sentence was shortened from 35 to 19, this second case is being heavily scrutinized worldwide and judged on whether it meets international standards of justice. The court has been accused of corruption under the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who had opposed indictment of additional suspects and was himself a middle-ranking officer in the Khmer Rouge, albeit not accused of taking part in the atrocities.

In the first case, 67-years old former Khmer Rouge prison chief had admitted to overseeing the execution of thousands of men, women and children at the Tuol Sleng prison. The prosecutors had asked the judges for a 40-year sentence, but in the end, the 35 years sentence was shortened to 19 due to illegal confinement and the 11 years he had already served in prison. Many Cambodians cried for a tougher verdict. Duch insisted in his testimony that he had only been following order from his superiors and had pled for forgiveness, fostering accusations that the Cambodian government is using him as a scapegoat. [2]

In the second trial, the suspects all deny the charges against them. The next trial is expected to begin by the middle of next year. It has already taken many years to form the joint international-Cambodian tribunal and the first case finally finished in July. Despite this first step to bringing justice against the Khmer Rouge, with the four defendants all already in their late 70s and 80s, people fear that they will not all live to hear a verdict and get the punishment they deserve. [3] Pol Pot, the leader of the Khmer Rouge, had already died due to a claimed heart attack in 1998 right before being turned over to an international tribunal. His body was cremated before an autopsy could be made. [4]

The tribunal is also showing the limitations of an international system for trying perpetrators of genocide. The Khmer Rouge had targeted Vietnamese people and ethnic Cham Muslims, who have been waiting a long time for this trial. It was under intense international pressure that the Cambodian government finally requested United Nations help in 1997 to establish a tribunal to prosecute the senior Khmer Rouge leaders but had also demanded to exclude the thousands of henchmen. The Human Right Watch says that the tribunal’s mandate is being interfered with by the Cambodian government which is led by former Khmer Rouge officials, who are under suspect of shielding serious criminals from prosecution. “The government is refusing to hold more than five people to account,” says Sara Colm, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. [5]

With so much questions of political interference, the tribunal itself is being tried in Cambodia to see if it can bring about the justice the people there have been waiting for over 30 years.

[1] Mydans, Seth. “Khmer Rouge Leaders Indicted.” 16 September 2010. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/world/asia/16cambodia.html?_r=1&ref=cambodia

[2] “Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch found guilty.” 26 July 2010. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10757320

[3] Carmichael, Robert. “Cambodia War Crimes Court Indicts Former Khmer Rouge Leaders.” 16 September 2010. VoaNews.com. http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Cambodia-War-Crimes-Court-Indicts-Former-Khmer-Rouge-Leaders--103036374.html

[4] Mydans, Seth. “At Cremation of Pol Pot, No Tears Shed.” 19 April, 1998. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/19/world/at-cremation-of-pol-pot-no-tears-shed.html

[5] MacLeod, Calum. “History cannot be hidden’ as Khmer rouge leaders tried”. 15 September, 2010. USATODAY. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-09-15-1Acambodia08_CV_N.htm

1H2O.org: The Water Website

Environmental issues have been all the rage in recent years. Global warming, alternative bio-fuels, and going green have been major topics of discussion all over the world. This emphasis on the environment makes it evident that our natural resources are quickly depleting, that our planet is suffering, and that something must be done immediately.

With this mission, 1H2O.org was born. Right on our own University of Miami campus direct action to create awareness about the grave issue of fresh water shortages and other water issues is taking place. 1H2O is a collaboration among the Knight Center for International Media at the University of Miami and the Independent Television Service (ITVS), as well as the world renowned film Onewater. Through the efforts of all three of these entities, 1H20 creates opportunities for an international network of journalists and media makers whose purpose is to generate honest and touching journalism relating to water and human life.

The website showcases some of the most talented writers at the university, professional, and philanthropic level where an extensive list of angles are explored. 1H2O is a one stop shop, if you will, for compelling stories that range from personal anecdotes, book commentaries, case studies and professional investigative journalism on all aspects of the water crisis. It tackles the issues affecting the most affected, like people in Kenya without potable water, or the citizens of China who suffer from the extreme water shortage in their country. The list goes on. What is true is that the creativity evident in the 1H2O publications gives the website a real touch of humanness, which is necessary when speaking of such a topic that affects every single human on the planet.

1H2O is made possible by major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The effort of the website, besides informing citizens about the problem, also hopes to create public television programming in developing countries around the world to further educate everyone on this crucial issue. As a pioneering force in the field of awareness journalism, 1H2O is an excellent example of the power of sharing unheard stories. This website is an incredible source for anyone looking to gain knowledge on the environmental hazards facing our generation. The articles on the page allow one to connect with someone 10,000 miles away, because we are connected, through the vital need of water.

by Liz Alarcon

http://www.1h2o.org/index.php/dev_site/

http://www.knightfoundation.org/