Austrian right-wing candidate barely loses..

[Liriena]

Indeed... and yet demonstrable cases of voter fraud have generally been few and statistically insignificant.

I refuse to believe that if I can plausibly call into question the legitimacy of the existing voter registration processes which are supposed to ensure that non-citizens can't vote. If a single illegal immigrant for example, has been able to cast a ballot- then voter fraud is real and thus the sanctity of elections is non-existent.

You are free to show us reliable evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States.

In the meantime, here is my evidence:
http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/brief/misleading-myth-voter-fraud-american-elections
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwasik/2012/11/06/voter-fraud-a-massive-anti-democratic-deception/#2570330fd564
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/aug/18/cory-booker/lightning-strikes-more-common-person-voter-fraud-s/
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/sep/19/naacp/-person-voter-fraud-very-rare-phenomenon/
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2016/apr/07/mark-pocan/which-happens-more-people-struck-lightning-or-peop/

[Novus America]

I refuse to believe that if I can plausibly call into question the legitimacy of the existing voter registration processes which are supposed to ensure that non-citizens can't vote. If a single illegal immigrant for example, has been able to cast a ballot- then voter fraud is real and thus the sanctity of elections is non-existent.

You are free to show us reliable evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States.

In the meantime, here is my evidence:
http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/brief/misleading-myth-voter-fraud-american-elections
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwasik/2012/11/06/voter-fraud-a-massive-anti-democratic-deception/#2570330fd564
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/aug/18/cory-booker/lightning-strikes-more-common-person-voter-fraud-s/
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/sep/19/naacp/-person-voter-fraud-very-rare-phenomenon/
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2016/apr/07/mark-pocan/which-happens-more-people-struck-lightning-or-peop/

All come down to the doubious argument that lack of prosecution means the crime does exist.

[Saiwania]

The sanctity of elections everywhere and everywhen is non-existent given your metric, as voter fraud in so small a sample size (whether the party be a single "illegal" immigrant or not) will always be apparent, even if undetected -- not that you have a problem with discrediting everything that so opposes you.

Why not just require people to show their birth certificate or something similar which is tied to citizenship? As it is now, a driver's license, or a home address doesn't really determine if someone can vote.

At least with a Social Security Number, it is tied to one big database that the SSA maintains. An invalid number will show up as invalid if checked on a computer. A certain number will be traced back to whoever was assigned that number at birth or whenever they became a naturalized US citizen. Their status if anything, would be in the database- whether they're alive or supposed to be dead.

[Geilinor]

You are free to show us reliable evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States.

In the meantime, here is my evidence:
http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/brief/misleading-myth-voter-fraud-american-elections
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwasik/2012/11/06/voter-fraud-a-massive-anti-democratic-deception/#2570330fd564
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/aug/18/cory-booker/lightning-strikes-more-common-person-voter-fraud-s/
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/sep/19/naacp/-person-voter-fraud-very-rare-phenomenon/
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2016/apr/07/mark-pocan/which-happens-more-people-struck-lightning-or-peop/

All come down to the doubious argument that lack of prosecution means the crime does exist.

Then what? The government is refusing to investigate? You need some evidence to prove this.

[Novus America]

All come down to the doubious argument that lack of prosecution means the crime does exist.

Then what? The government is refusing to investigate? You need some evidence to prove this.

I did provide a source. Electoral fraud can be prevented but is nearly impossible to prosecute after the fact. The government does not investigate as it is nearly impossible to prove.

[Olerand]

The alternative is Greece going bankrupt and the situation getting worse. I don't think Tsipras wants to leave the Eurozone.

Greece is bankrupt anyways. And continue to give Greece the Medicine that has worsened the situation in the past 8 Years isn't exactly a wise move.

Indeed, Greece is already bankrupt, its economy is still being flushed down the toilet, and its debt is still rising. These debt relief programs are not even solving the issue, Greece's debt keeps rising, it's not even decreasing. Greece needs to leave the Eurozone, it needs to return to the Drachma. It's going to be painful, undoubtedly, but this road is never going to lead to recovery.

[Minzerland]

Austria, isn't that where Hitler is from?

I feel that the terrorist attacks are pushing is islamophobia into the mainstream and we may see persecution of Muslims not unlike that of the Jews

Godwin's Law in action.

[Republican Union of America]

Just delaying the inevitable, really.

France and the Netherlands are going to pivot hard to the right next. Europe's days as a liberal paradise in the eyes of left-wing Americans are numbered. You can't stop the progress that's been made.

[Koninkrijk Zeeland]

Was the election only about who will become president or was it also about the parliament?

I would have supported van der Bellen.

[Olerand]

Was the election only about who will become president or was it also about the parliament?

I would have supported van der Bellen.

Only the president. Parliament is in 2018. The FPO should come first, with about a third of the votes, then. What Van der Bellen will do when the FPO comes first should be interesting. He has promised not to name the FPO to form a government, so we shall see what happens.

[Eol Sha]

Was the election only about who will become president or was it also about the parliament?

I would have supported van der Bellen.

Only the president. Parliament is in 2018. The FPO should come first, with about a third of the votes, then. What Van der Bellen will do when the FPO comes first should be interesting. He has promised not to name the FPO to form a government, so we shall see what happens.

Kinda hard to predict an election two years out.

[Dushan]

Indeed, Greece is already bankrupt, its economy is still being flushed down the toilet, and its debt is still rising. These debt relief programs are not even solving the issue, Greece's debt keeps rising, it's not even decreasing. Greece needs to leave the Eurozone, it needs to return to the Drachma. It's going to be painful, undoubtedly, but this road is never going to lead to recovery.

They could use dual currency and stuff like from Day X all State Wages will be paid in Drachma or whatever currency. All Euros currently in fluctuation keep their current values but will be someday just being used up. Oh and of course they have to declare State bankruptcy.

The fact that such ideas are not even discussed in Brussels tells a lot.

[Novus America]

Only the president. Parliament is in 2018. The FPO should come first, with about a third of the votes, then. What Van der Bellen will do when the FPO comes first should be interesting. He has promised not to name the FPO to form a government, so we shall see what happens.

Kinda hard to predict an election two years out.

True. Which is why this election does mean something. If the FPO had won they could dissolve parliament and win the election.

[Olerand]

Only the president. Parliament is in 2018. The FPO should come first, with about a third of the votes, then. What Van der Bellen will do when the FPO comes first should be interesting. He has promised not to name the FPO to form a government, so we shall see what happens.

Kinda hard to predict an election two years out.

The FPO is leading its competitors in double digits. I see no reason to believe there is improvement in the winds in Europe. In fact, Erdogan seems to think the new deal gives him an open way to do whatever the hell he wants. This deal is barely holding together, and might crash any day now. When it does, Erdogan will send the migrants back in droves.

The economy in Europe isn't improving either. The perception of the EU isn't on the rise. The radical right will dominate political discussion in Europe either until the causes of their rise are dealt with, or until they grasp power.

Indeed, Greece is already bankrupt, its economy is still being flushed down the toilet, and its debt is still rising. These debt relief programs are not even solving the issue, Greece's debt keeps rising, it's not even decreasing. Greece needs to leave the Eurozone, it needs to return to the Drachma. It's going to be painful, undoubtedly, but this road is never going to lead to recovery.

They could use dual currency and stuff like from Day X all State Wages will be paid in Drachma or whatever currency. All Euros currently in fluctuation keep their current values but will be someday just being used up. Oh and of course they have to declare State bankruptcy.

The fact that such ideas are not even discussed in Brussels tells a lot.

Indeed. But there are many who don't want an alternative. They know this doesn't, didn't, and won't work. But this isn't supposed to work, this is a political cause for some.

[Olerand]

Probably one of the worst articles I've read on the issue. And the New York Times continuously shatters, atomizes, my expectations in this regard.

[Filimons]

Unfortunate, but this is not to be thought of as a defeat.

[Othelos]

Austria, isn't that where Hitler is from?

I feel that the terrorist attacks are pushing is islamophobia into the mainstream and we may see persecution of Muslims not unlike that of the Jews

No....not nearly to that extent. The factors that led to the holocaust are nonexistent. People like to blow up prejudice in Europe because it's dramatic, but anywhere else, islamaphobia would be considered just islamaphobia.

[Major-Tom]

I mean, wherever you stand politically, this is a monumental election that really shows how fast the political establishment is falling apart in Europe.

I have no doubt that the FPO will gain momentum before 2018. As such, I hope they moderate their party. I'm not an idiot fearmongerer who is afraid of the "NAZIS," but I'd rather the FPO focus less on Pan Germanic values and heavy, heavy stances on issues and focus on the real issues, the migrant crisis, the economy, and immigration policy in general.

[Olerand]

Austria, isn't that where Hitler is from?

I feel that the terrorist attacks are pushing is islamophobia into the mainstream and we may see persecution of Muslims not unlike that of the Jews

No....not nearly to that extent. The factors that led to the holocaust are nonexistent. People like to blow up prejudice in Europe because it's dramatic, but anywhere else, islamaphobia would be considered just islamaphobia.

I don't understand the comparison. I don't understand the term either, but the comparison just really doesn't stand. In what way are the two groups similar, really?

[Major-Tom]

Austria, isn't that where Hitler is from?

I feel that the terrorist attacks are pushing is islamophobia into the mainstream and we may see persecution of Muslims not unlike that of the Jews

Take off your tinfoil hat, Islamophobia is largely a myth. Yes, now and then, some insane far rightists commit grotesque acts, but we must remember that the vast majority of voters for parties such as the FPO are normal, often working class people who are scared of the influx of migrants into their communities, an influx that hasn't been properly assimilated.

I don't blame them at all for wanting to avoid segregation, a lack of integration, and the continued incompetence of the political establishment.

[Risottia]

http://www.worldometers.info/world-popu ... opulation/

Italy: 59,801,004 people and rising.

Not exactly dying.
Stop believing shit.

Yeah, it's super healthy that between the years of 2014-2016, a country of 58 million people, grew by 11,000 people. You're right.

Of course I'm right. The claim was "literally dying" and evidently it is false.
Your attempt at moving goalposts is totally unrelated and matters not.

[Major-Tom]

I'm disappointed.

yay for racism

yay for strawmen.

[Republican Union of America]

I'm disappointed.

yay for racism

Right??!

I can't wait until Europe is awash in a sea of fascist glory. We can only move forward from here. The pivot to the far-right has begun, and it cannot be stopped.

[Grave_n_idle]

The sanctity of elections everywhere and everywhen is non-existent given your metric, as voter fraud in so small a sample size (whether the party be a single "illegal" immigrant or not) will always be apparent, even if undetected -- not that you have a problem with discrediting everything that so opposes you.

Why not just require people to show their birth certificate or something similar which is tied to citizenship?

Birth certificate isn't intrinsically tied to citizenship.

Passports would be a better link - but not all citizens travel outside the borders.

But it's a red herring anyway - in general, people fraudulently voting is not statistically significant - and that is, after all, what electoral democracy is - rule by statistical significance.

[Infected Mushroom]

Damn it. This is bad.

Arguably not. The presidency is ceremonial. This stores the discontent for the parliamentary election, and allows the leftist greens to alienate yet more of the populace in the mean time.

Interesting...