8 candidates out of 686 have been approved by the Guardian Council of Constitution to run for President:

* Saeed Jalili
* Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf
* Ali-Akbar Velayati
* Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel
* Mohsen Rezaei
* Hassan Rouhani
* Mohammad Gharazi
* Mohammad-Reza Aref

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/21/c_132398645.htm

Bump.

I thought some on here might watch it, because it features a Governor race for New York in the 2nd season ...

66% approve
29% disapprove

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3039990.shtml

The Austrian TV channel PULS4 is trying a new "debate" format this year:

http://diepresse.com/home/politik/innenpolitik/1404389/Nationalratswahl_Puls-4-laesst-Spitzenkandidaten-kochen

They invite the frontrunner from each party to cook a meal that they want and then they get interviewed about it and about politics.

It's called "Recipe for Austria" and Josef Bucher (BZÖ) is the first on May 27. Glawischnig (Greens), Strache (FPÖ) and Spindelegger (ÖVP) have already said they will participate in the cooking and interview round, while Chancellor Faymann (SPÖ) has not yet answered and well - Frank Stronach - is hardly coming to cook ... (or is he ?)

This format is probably most appealing to the housewifes.

New surveys today by Washington Post and USA Today have Obama at 51% and 53% approval:



http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-rating-steady-amid-controversies-likely-buoyed-by-rising-economic-hopes/2013/05/20/5509c03e-c17f-11e2-bfdb-3886a561c1ff_story.html

...

A USA TODAY poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research finds nearly three of four Americans say the controversies will make it harder for the president to accomplish his goals; nearly a third say they will make it much harder. Just one in five believe they won't have an impact.

The nationwide poll, taken Thursday through Sunday, finds skepticism about some of Obama's explanations of what happened. A 53% majority say the IRS decision to single out conservative groups for extra scrutiny before granting tax-exempt status was made for political reasons, something the administration flatly denies. By 50%-44%, they say Obama deserves at least a little of the blame, though the White House says he didn't know about it until the scandal was in the news.

On the other hand, even more of those surveyed are cynical about why Republicans are pursuing investigations into the attack last fall that left U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans dead. Six in 10 say Republicans are holding hearings on it more to score political points against the Democrats and Obama than to find ways to prevent future attacks. Even a third of Republicans say the hearings are driven by politics.

Still, the president's approval rating is up 2 percentage points to 53%.

Nearly six in 10 say the federal government threatens their personal rights and freedoms

In a showdown between the government and the news media, more than six in 10 Americans side with the media

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/05/20/poll-benghazi-irs-politics-blame-gop-obama/2343519

Funny enough, two Austrians came into my office today. Very pleasant people. Congrats, Tender!

Sarcasm ? If not, what did they want from you ?

[Austria's Spindelegger Slams 'Faymann's Taxes']

ÖVP-leader Spindelegger has given a "keynote" speech recently, on taxes:

Austria's Spindelegger Slams 'Faymann's Taxes'

During his keynote address at the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) conference, Austria's Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger vehemently rejected what he referred to as the "Faymann taxes," namely Chancellor Werner Faymann’s plans to introduce wealth taxes in Austria to the tune of around EUR4.5bn (USD5.8bn).

Highlighting the fact that Austria already has one of the highest tax burdens among the OECD states, Spindelegger made clear that the tax "limit" has long since been reached, even surpassed. Only four of the 34 OECD member states impose more on their citizens in taxes and duties than Austria, he noted.

Yet despite this situation, Chancellor Faymann and the Social Democrat (SPÖ) party continue to put forward new tax ideas, such as inheritance tax, gift tax, and wealth tax proposals, Spindelegger said. The Austrian Vice Chancellor warned that the SPÖ's plans are merely a gateway to further taxes, explaining that once a tax is introduced, tax-free allowances are lowered, and taxes are both increased and extended.

In contrast, the ÖVP intends to reduce the fiscal burden on individuals, Spindelegger emphasized, pointing out that to achieve this goal it is vital to think creatively, to adopt a future-orientated policy, and to act courageously.

Alluding to the huge costs of raising children, Spindelegger defended ÖVP plans to introduce a tax-free allowance of EUR7,000 per child. Spindelegger also confirmed plans to abolish employee participation taxes, to ensure that workers share in the success of their company, and are rewarded for their good work and commitment.

Michael Spindelegger's remarks follow hot on the heels of a recent speech by Austria's Financial State Secretary Andreas Schieder, in which he announced Social Democrat plans to reduce the fiscal burden on labor in the next legislative period, financed by a "millionaire's tax" and by an inheritance tax.

http://www.tax-news.com/news/Austrias_Spindelegger_Slams_Faymanns_Taxes____60802.html

Here's an early list of parties that might run in the Sept. 29 federal election:

* SPÖ (definitely)
* ÖVP (definitely)
* FPÖ (definitely)
* Greens (definitely)
* BZÖ (definitely)
* Team Stronach (definitely)

...

* NEOS (a new liberal party of former Green- and ÖVP-members, as well as the LIF - Liberal Forum and the JuLis - Young Liberals)
* Pirate Party
* KPÖ (Communists, not yet clear though if they run alone or on a joint leftist list)

I think those parties could get more than the 2600 signatures that are needed to appear on the ballot in all 9 states.

...

Other parties who could run, but could have trouble getting enough signatures:

* EU Exit Party
* CPÖ
* Men Party
* Courageous Citizen's Party
* The Change (Leftist party with an English party platform if you are interested)

Just as a clarification:

The signature requirements for the Sept. 29 elections are like this:

500 - Vienna, Lower Austria
400 - Upper Austria, Styria
200 - Tyrol, Carinthia, Salzburg
100 - Vorarlberg, Carinthia

This is by population in each state and means 2600 alltogether.

...

Also: The parliament will probably dissolve in the first or second week of July, set the election date (Sept. 29) and the date for the start of the election calendar (July 30). The start of the election calendar is 61 days before election day. Then, parliament will go into summer break from Mid-July to end of August and then there's 4 weeks of campaigning in September.

Silvio Berlusconi

[Census figures show Christianity in sharp decline while belief in Islam dramatically increases]

Census figures show Christianity in sharp decline while belief in Islam dramatically increases

More than one in 10 under-25s in the UK now describe themselves as Muslim

HEATHER SAUL   FRIDAY 17 MAY 2013

A fresh analysis of the 2011 census has shown that Christian faith in the UK is declining rapidly amongst the British-born population, whilst belief in Islam has dramatically increased.

A report published by the Office for National Statistics revealed that the percentage of people following a Christian faith dropped from 71.7 per cent in 2001 to 59.3 per cent in 2011. More than one in 10 under 25s in the UK now describe themselves as Muslim.

Figures for Christianity were boosted however by the 1.2 million foreign-born Christians residing in the UK, such as Polish Catholics and evangelicals from countries such as Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the percentage of the people who have no religion rose from 14.8 per cent to a quarter of the population.

This fluctuation is being attributed to both ageing Christians, a quarter of which are aged 65 and above and younger Muslims, half of which are under 25. Rising levels of immigration across England and Wales over the last decade are also believed to have contributed, with the 2011 census showing 600,000 more foreign-born followers of an Islamic faith.

Christianity is still the most prevalent faith in England and Wales and has 33.2 million followers, but such a rapid decline could suggest that it may lose its place as the most popular religion amongst Britons within the decade.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/census-figures-show-christianity-in-sharp-decline-while-belief-in-islam-dramatically-increases-8621271.html

Bump.

Couple days remain for voting.

Messe-tschu-sitts

The results of the university elections (only the Technical Uni Graz is missing now):

The RFS is remarkably weak. I won't complain, of course... but it's always been my impression that nationalist fraternities are still quite powerful among Austrian students (at least compared to Germany), and that these "Burschenschaftler" played a vital role inside the FPÖ.

The RFS was strong up to the 80s, getting between 5 and 30%.

But since the 80s, all went downhill for them and even during Haider they only got 4% and now they are down to 2%, the worst result ever.

Maybe the fact that Austrian right-wing fraternities are much more powerful than in Germany is because of their older members who are also in the FPÖ, not their younger ones.

Here's an early list of parties that might run in the Sept. 29 federal election:

* SPÖ (definitely)
* ÖVP (definitely)
* FPÖ (definitely)
* Greens (definitely)
* BZÖ (definitely)
* Team Stronach (definitely)

...

* NEOS (a new liberal party of former Green- and ÖVP-members, as well as the LIF - Liberal Forum and the JuLis - Young Liberals)
* Pirate Party
* KPÖ (Communists, not yet clear though if they run alone or on a joint leftist list)

I think those parties could get more than the 2600 signatures that are needed to appear on the ballot in all 9 states.

...

Other parties who could run, but could have trouble getting enough signatures:

* EU Exit Party
* CPÖ
* Men Party
* Courageous Citizen's Party
* The Change (Leftist party with an English party platform if you are interested)

It would be great if he can finally take her out in 2014.

But somehow Bachmann always survives her races ...

[The survey, conducted by Public Policy Polling and obtained by POLITICO, shows Democrat Jim Graves leading Bachmann, a four-term congresswoman and former GOP presidential candidate, 47 percent to 45 percent. The results are within the poll’s 4.4 percentage point margin of error.]

With Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann facing a widening campaign finance probe, her Democratic challenger is out with a new poll showing him in a close race with the conservative firebrand.

The survey, conducted by Public Policy Polling and obtained by POLITICO, shows Democrat Jim Graves leading Bachmann, a four-term congresswoman and former GOP presidential candidate, 47 percent to 45 percent. The results are within the poll’s 4.4 percentage point margin of error.

Graves, a hotel company executive who came within just 5,000 votes — or 1.2 percentage points — of unseating Bachmann in 2012, recently announced that he would be seeking a rematch for the GOP-leaning 6th Congressional District seat. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently promoted Graves to an initiative aimed at boosting its top recruits.

Bachmann has found herself under growing scrutiny in recent weeks, with the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Ethics opening investigations into allegations that she paid an Iowa state senator to work for her presidential campaign — a potential violation of the Legislature’s rules. And on Sunday evening, a Minneapolis newspaper reported that the FBI would be joining the investigation.

Bachmann is taking the Graves rematch seriously. Last week, she began running TV ads — an unusually early point in the election cycle for a House member to begin doing so. The commercials highlight her role in introducing a bill to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law.

The Public Policy Polling survey of 500 voters was conducted May 15, just before Bachmann’s commercials began airing.

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/poll-michele-bachmann-in-for-tight-fight-91604.html

Sweden vs. Switzerland for Gold has already started.

After a few minutes in, it's already 2-1 for Sweden.

Interesting also that in the 2013 polls - like in the 2006 polls - support for marriage was higher (83% vs. 70%) in Luxembourg than in Austria, but support actually lower for adoption (55% vs. 57% here).

Some things remain the same it seems.

Another country, another sign of how support has changed in the past 7 years, if you compare it with the graphic:

A whopping majority of 83 percent of Luxembourg nationals spoke out in favour of same-sex marriage in the most recent Politmonitor poll.

56 percent of those polled said they were completely in favour, with another 27 percent rather in favour. Only 9 percent indicated that they were completely opposed.

When it comes to same-sex adoption the survey delivered more nuanced results, with 30 percent completely in favour, 25 percent rather in favour, but also 27 percent completely opposed and 17 percent rather opposed.

The Luxembourg parliament is expected to vote on both of these issues before the summer break. A new family law foresees gay marriage to be made legal, as well as giving same-sex couples the right to adopt, but only in an open adoption procedure.

The results form part of the Politmonitor survey commissioned by the “Luxemburger Wort” and RTL, which examines public opinion on political, social and current affairs issues in Luxembourg.

The survey group is limited to members of the population with the right to vote in national elections, with 1,117 Luxembourg nationals surveyed online or via telephone in April this year.

http://www.wort.lu/en/view/majority-in-luxembourg-supports-gay-marriage-518d1acbe4b0f38d273d30c2

+25% for gay marriage and +16% for adoption - in 7 years.

This is actually the only EU-wide poll on gay marriage and adoption that I'm aware of (and it's really old from 2006):





http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb/eb66/eb66_en.htm

Since then, a lot has changed: Support for gay marriage here for example has passed 70% and the latest gay adoption poll for "Profil" magazine from a few months ago has shown 57-35 support. But as you can see, even in 2006 our support for that was among the highest in Europe.

Its actually more surprising that Austria is so relatively tolerant.

If the people were asked, we would long have gay marriage and gay adoption instead of civil unions: All recent polls show ca. 70% support for gay marriage here and ca. 55% support for gay adoptions.

But as long as the ÖVP is in a government and doesn't change their view, that won't happen and the Austrian public's views remain FAR more progressive than the parties's views.

While SPÖ and Greens support marriage equality, they never have a majority. ÖVP and BZÖ support civil unions, even though many of their voters also support gay marriage. FPÖ opposes gay marriage, but even among their voters there's support for it. My mum for example is a FPÖ voter, but supports gay marriage too.

Back to the games:

It's very hard to say who wins the Final. Switzerland has all the momentum and they have already beaten the Swedes. But Sweden will also play at home and will have the crowd behind them.

I'm for Switzerland though, because it would be their first gold medal, while Sweden has won it before already.

[Yes, almost. Maybe in a very Eastern dialect. I'd rather say "Ok, dänn luegemer ois emal s 3. Drittel aa.]

OK, donn luag ma uns amol as 3. Drittel o ...

That's Swiss for "OK, let's watch the 3rd period".

Yes, almost. Maybe in a very Eastern dialect. I'd rather say "Ok, dänn luegemer ois emal s 3. Drittel aa.

As for the win ... I'm speechless!

That's the best I had (with my Salzburg-Swiss dialect) ...

with its dialects ?

Watching the Swiss live stream from the Ice Hockey World Championship right now:

For example "to watch it".

A Swiss would say: "anluaga" or "oluaga"

A German would say: "angucken" or "ankucken"

A Austrian would say: "anschauen" or "o/uschaun"

Strange, isn't it ?

German is spoken in all 3 countries, but sometimes there are 3 different words/spellings for the same word ...

I am from Germany and in my region we say Oschaun

That's because you live in Bavaria, which has often the same "slang" as Austrians.

The "Prussians" (north of Bavaria) mostly say "an(g)kucken" though.

What's really weird is the way you put a space in front of every question mark. 

No, that's the way it is here.