- FRANCE 24

13/02/2012 - VENEZUELA

Venezuela opposition picks Chavez challenger

State governor Henrique Capriles (pictured) won Venezuela's first-ever opposition primary on Sunday and will challenge President Hugo Chavez in October elections. Opposition groups have joined forces, hoping to keep Chavez from winning a third term.

12/02/2012 - TURKMENISTAN

Turkmen leader set for victory in one-sided election

Turkmenistan votes Sunday in an uncontested election that will extend the rule of President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who also holds the posts of prime minister, commander of the armed forces, and chairman of the nation's sole political party.

07/02/2012 - MEXICO

Female candidate stirs up Mexican presidency battle

Josefina Vazquez Mota (pictured) will represent Mexico’s ruling PAN party in July's presidential elections, but she faces an uphill battle to become the country’s first female head of state.

04/02/2012 - RUSSIA

Thousands brave cold to join rival Moscow rallies

Thousands of demonstrators have braved sub-zero temperatures to take to the streets of Moscow in protest against the rule of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whose supporters are holding their own rally in the Russian capital.

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03/02/2012 - RUSSIA

Thousands to march in Moscow against Putin

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to brave Moscow's sub-freezing temperatures on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as he seeks a third term as president.

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26/01/2012 - FRANCE 2012

François Hollande: Socialist candidate strikes first

Socialist presidential candidate hopeful François Hollande is on a roll, while incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy is musing about life after politics. Also on the show, the French parliament ignites a diplomatic storm with Turkey over the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman empire.

25/01/2012 - SENEGAL

Senegalese musician N'Dour submits presidential bid

Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour officially submitted his candidacy to the Constitutional Council on Wednesday to compete in a February 26 presidential election. The council will unveil its list of approved candidates on Friday.

25/01/2012 - US POLITICS

Top editorialists and pundits give Obama’s speech mixed reviews

As his final State of the Union address before the November election, US President Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday night was eagerly awaited. FRANCE 24 offers a sample of reviews from top editorialists and political analysts.

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17/01/2012 - FRANCE

French centrist Bayrou leads in popularity, new poll shows

Centrist presidential candidate François Bayrou leads President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist François Hollande in French popularity polls, a survey showed on Monday, but remains in fourth place regarding voter intentions.

12/01/2012 - POLITICS

Presidential race - back to basics: jobs, jobs, jobs

After the war in Libya and the eurozone debt crisis, France's attention is finally turning back to bread and butter issues as the presidential campaign begins for real. The social issues, first and foremost unemployment, are back at the forefront.