> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The votes are in: what now? - The Week in 1 Minute: May 26 – Jun 1 on openDemocracy - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/votes-are-in-what-now-week-in-1-minute-may-26-jun-1-on-opendemocracy/ - Published: 2014-05-31T23:05:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-23T01:39:42.000Z - Description: The European elections may be a return to right-left politics. UKIP’s racism isn’t all we have to worry about, and how does it relate to Scottish politics? Right wing populists make gains in France and Sweden, while Italy bucked the trend by opting for Renzi and the centre ground. Syriza may provi - Author: openDemocracy Supporters - Tags: The Week in 1 Minute, #Migrated, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 17:46, #appended-excerpt Where does this leave [substantive democracy](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/39d6dc574f&ref=opendemocracy.net)? The game-changing [Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/a14652f060&ref=opendemocracy.net) was barely discussed in many countries. Could the [Eurosceptic surge](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/52f93c9b53&ref=opendemocracy.net) be **an opportunity to renew the EU’s relationship with citizens?** Perhaps we need to [move beyond](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/ec7bcb9f91&ref=opendemocracy.net) any fixed ‘idea’ of Europe. Meanwhile, civil society may have grown, but [its influence has not](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/e3e6b33012&ref=opendemocracy.net). A [dispatch](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/ea8ce6e3e6&ref=opendemocracy.net) **from the Ukraine frontline** reveals a country that[does not think with one mind](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/b280a80740&ref=opendemocracy.net). [Abkhazia has been influenced](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/7fb6e4a137&ref=opendemocracy.net), with renewed debates on Russia and street protests. It’s time to reassess the [illusion of progress](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/107ef7f8fc&ref=opendemocracy.net) since the fall of the USSR. Meanwhile, Poland is divided by the [death of communist strongman](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/37227ad4f6&ref=opendemocracy.net) Wojciech Jaruzelski. Mobile technology has created [a new global digital divide](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/b2a6cd6490&ref=opendemocracy.net). It has also allowed PM Modi to win India’s voters with an unprecedentedly [tech-savvy campaign](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/b042880f53&ref=opendemocracy.net). In North East India, we learn how conflict reportage [could help deliver peace](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/506f39d637&ref=opendemocracy.net). Meanwhile, the social media campaign against Boko Haram is [being fitted](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/ea36a31253&ref=opendemocracy.net) into ‘war on terror’ strategy. In Russia, journalists get [secret medals](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/bd62412b9e&ref=opendemocracy.net) for coverage of Crimea. **Independent media is crucial**, which is why we ask you to fund [OurKingdom’s coverage of the Scottish referendum](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/17a820152e&ref=opendemocracy.net). **El-Sisi is Egypt’s new PM**, but his [tainted legitimacy](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/467504b567&ref=opendemocracy.net) will haunt him. It’s [unlikely](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/52fc1dcb6b&ref=opendemocracy.net) he will uphold the full rights of Copts. In Turkey, the Soma mining disaster shines a light on [a class left behind](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/dba4535d89&ref=opendemocracy.net). The [Pope’s visit to Israel](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/3f7a66c4c8&ref=opendemocracy.net) makes history, while the state [responds](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/174ba1ef60&ref=opendemocracy.net) to African non-Jewish immigrants by stopping the influx of refugees. We discover [the good thing](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/8e99b0d907&ref=opendemocracy.net) about having a disability, and why**‘bringing sexy back’** can [help combat HIV](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/4dfba543c1&ref=opendemocracy.net). 50.50 looks back at the [murder of lawyer Rashid Rehman](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/7c9beba360&ref=opendemocracy.net) for defending a man accused of blasphemy. In Sudan, a young mother [faces hanging](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/d4fe9e3b1d&ref=opendemocracy.net) on charges of apostasy, while the UK has made some radical rulings on those [in danger from blasphemy laws](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/0229afacf2&ref=opendemocracy.net). Also don’t miss: subsidies for [Britain’s gun-toting elite](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/e61da1006c&ref=opendemocracy.net), what next for China after its [‘largest factory’ went on strike](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/1b73c72b5e&ref=opendemocracy.net), and [a reminder](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/af479f371d&ref=opendemocracy.net) that it is five years since **the kidnap of three Syrians**who dedicated their lives to the revolution. **Links not to miss:** - The most important interview you’ll see this summer: [NBC News’ Brian Williams talks to Ed Snowden](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/213dd7c83b&ref=opendemocracy.net) - An [outsider’s guide](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/176897b79f&ref=opendemocracy.net) to the City of London, *The Guardian* - [Greece stuck](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/0c137ab6f5/i=portal.en.the-agora.1229&ref=opendemocracy.net) in the long tunnel of transition, *Macropolis* - [Egyptians protest](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/b5f7958f45&ref=opendemocracy.net) after Sisi election victory (video), *Al Jazeera* **openDemocracy’s week in 1 minute is emailed to Members, Friends and authors who help pay for and create our great content. Please forward this to any contact you think might be interested and** [**want to join**](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/b4b8016109/openDemocracy/bb28beb484/946f39415f/51634b1085/openDemocracy/d4022f1a75/TEST/e64101092e&ref=opendemocracy.net) **or email us (**[**supporters@opendemocracy.net**](mailto:supporters@opendemocracy.net)**).** The European elections [may be](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/8b312ab196&ref=opendemocracy.net) **a return to right-left politics**. UKIP’s racism [isn’t all](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/3c62dd74d4&ref=opendemocracy.net) we have to worry about, and [how does it relate](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/e174299a2f&ref=opendemocracy.net) to Scottish politics? Right wing populists make gains in [France](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/dd9845353f&ref=opendemocracy.net) and [Sweden](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/80bcb925ac&ref=opendemocracy.net), while Italy [bucked the trend](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/71c9fd1b06&ref=opendemocracy.net) by opting for Renzi and the centre ground. Syriza may provide a model for [democratic renewal](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/d88bfafb2b&ref=opendemocracy.net), but [a new electoral force](http://cts.vresp.com/c/?openDemocracy/b89459a1e4/7262321cfa/47e9540cf8&ref=opendemocracy.net) emerges in Spain: Podemos, the “we can” party.