Political Parties

The spokesman for Iraq's Kurdish region criticized the Obama administration Thursday in Washington for not doing enough to end the current political impasse and urged American officials to embark on "intense shuttle diplomacy" between the deadlocked political parties. Qubad Talabani, who represents the Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq, said U.S. officials in Iraq have had limited involvement in efforts by political parties to form a government in the two months since the inconclusive national elections in March.

PARIS — Socialist Party candidate Francois Hollande and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday advanced to a presidential runoff election, as a far-right candidate surprised many observers with a strong third-place finish. Hollande and Sarkozy will face each other in the May 6 runoff, according to preliminary results of Sunday's election, though the support received by candidate Marine Le Pen seemed to reflect deep disillusionment by many voters with the main political parties in France.

MOSCOW — Russia's parliament on Wednesday approved legislation intended to simplify the registration of political parties, a move influenced by massive protests after a December election widely viewed as tainted by fraud. The legislation, which outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to sign into law next week, was welcomed by those who believe it could help loosen the tight grip held by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the president-elect, and the governing United Russia party.

The parents of Trayvon Martin greeted the filing of second-degree murder charges against the man who shot and killed their son with tears of thanks and a call to continue fighting for justice. At an emotional, televised news conference from Washington, D.C., Sybrina Fulton, the teenager's mother, fought back her tears. “First of all, I want to say: Thank God,” she said Wednesday evening. “We simply wanted an arrest. We wanted nothing more, nothing less than an arrest and we got it. And I say: Thank you. Thank you, Lord; thank you, Jesus.” “I just want to speak from my heart to your heart because a heart has no color,” she added, alluding to the racial overtones of the case.

There is a difference between Democrats and Republicans: Democrats spend and tax. Republicans spend and borrow. JOSEPH H. BREUER North Hollywood

An alliance of political parties said it will boycott a referendum on extending the term of President Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the global anti-terrorism campaign. The 15-party Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy accused Musharraf of using unconstitutional means to remain president. Musharraf seized power in October 1999 but has promised a return to civilian rule this year.

A legislative body blocked the establishment of Egypt's first Islamic-oriented political party, the third time lawmakers refused to recognize the group. The panel in charge of legalizing new political parties rejected the establishment of Hizb al-Wasat al-Gedid, the New Centrist Party, a government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

I share the concern of your editorial (May 19) and former La Habra Councilwoman Robin Young (Letters, May 26) regarding partisan polarization of traditionally nonpartisan local races. To blame this trend on the Republicans, however, is to ignore recent events that, if anything, point to the Democrats as the real instigators. It was the Democratic Legislature which changed the law to allow consolidation of nonpartisan municipal elections with the partisan November general election.

Etiquette arbiter Letitia Baldridge is quite clear in her book "The New Manners for the '90s" about what to to avoid at social affairs: "Politics is a subject about which people begin to feel personally antagonistic." In other words, a real party-killer. But don't tell that to Janice Johnson of Laguna Beach or any of several other social types who are flocking to Orange County's wave of "political parties." For them, the best kinds of bashes are those that promote antagonism.

In a quest for legitimacy that could mark a new phase in peace efforts, 4,000 members of Colombia's most powerful rebel army massed at San Vicente del Caguan to launch a new political party. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, also brought in hundreds of civilians from rebel-controlled areas to the ranching town in the southern demilitarized zone.

MOSCOW — Russia's parliament on Wednesday approved legislation intended to simplify the registration of political parties, a move influenced by massive protests after a December election widely viewed as tainted by fraud. The legislation, which outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to sign into law next week, was welcomed by those who believe it could help loosen the tight grip held by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the president-elect, and the governing United Russia party.

If America ever had a real Establishment, it crumbled under the weight of Vietnam, Watergate and the cultural revolts and counter-revolts of the 1960s and 1970s. But Americans Elect, which this week qualified as California's seventh recognized political party and hopes to be certified in all 50 states, looks very much like the work of an elite that aims at nothing less than a new Establishment. Even by its own claims, AE is the strangest of oxymoronic animals, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical political party-cum-social welfare organization whose only declared objective is a national online "convention" open to all registered voters to select a nonpartisan — or better, maybe, a bipartisan — presidential ticket in 2012.

Nepal took a step closer toward a comprehensive peace deal with an agreement to integrate about 6,500 former Maoist fighters into the nation's armed forces and offer compensation packages to other ex-rebels. In a seven-point interim deal forged late Tuesday, the Himalayan nation's four major political parties also agreed to complete the stalled peace process within a month, hand over property seized during the civil war and prepare a draft constitution. "I'm optimistic," said Anagha Neelakantan, a Katmandu-based senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization that studies conflicts.

California voters are increasingly downcast about the direction of the country, but -- like their leaders in Washington -- many would rather adhere to party orthodoxy than compromise to address the current economic problems, a new poll shows. The findings offer little guidance for President Obama, who will unveil a jobs package this week that he hopes to push through a polarized Congress. Further troubling for the president: The survey results suggest that Republicans, even in deep-blue California, are winning the rhetorical war of words over how to frame the country's economic troubles, and how to get out of them.

Six months after pro-democracy protesters ousted longtime Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, U.S. efforts to help promote democratic reforms have created unexpected turmoil in Washington's relationship with one of its closest allies in the Arab world. The Obama administration's plan to pour $65 million into Egypt this year to help organize new political parties has sparked a powerful backlash from Cairo's interim military government, its Islamist parties and even some reform-minded activists.

Sayed Hussein Sayed sits low in a broken truck. His wife is having their first child soon and no one is bringing him tires to fix. He's running out of money. "The country," he says, "is falling apart. " The neighborhood plumber shakes his head "I've got five kids to feed but work is down 30%," says Kamel Fouad, whose grandfather started the family business decades ago. "I could bear it during the first month of the revolution. I borrowed from neighbors. But nobody has any money left.

A bill that would slash the number of political parties and increase their dependence on the government was approved by the lower house of parliament. Critics say the bill is designed to give President Vladimir V. Putin control over the nation's politics. It would also make parties largely dependent on government financing. But Putin says the new rules would lead to the creation of a few, strong parties, replacing the current cacophony of the more than 200.

The most powerful woman in Mexico carries $5,000 Hermes purses and can make or break a presidency. She's head of the nation's principal teachers union, the largest syndicate in Latin America, and once gave Hummers as gifts to loyal teachers. Elba Esther Gordillo commands the patronage of more than 1.5 million teachers, and in election years, that means more than 1.5 million votes. Almost every political party courts her. Yet scandal has forever dogged her, including accusations of illegal self-enrichment and even murder.

Third parties have generally been marginal players in American politics, especially in presidential elections. But a group called Americans Elect is seeking to rehabilitate the institution with a technological twist. Amid the innovations, however, it is engaging in some old-fashioned political evasion. As a report by Times staff writer Matea Gold detailed, Americans Elect is seeking to be placed on the ballot throughout the country, including in California, where it has gathered 1.6 million signatures.