Free Republic

Brasília (AFP) – President Jair Bolsonaro was not the only one to have a surprisingly strong night in Brazil's elections Sunday: the far-right incumbent's allies also beat expectations in congressional and governor's races. Political analysts say that means hardline conservatives will be powerful players in the Latin American giant's new political landscape, weakening leftist front-runner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Workers' Party (PT), even if he beats Bolsonaro in the October 30 presidential runoff. Here is a look at some of the big wins for "Bolsonarismo": Congress Bolsonaro's Liberal Party (PL) is on track to be the largest...

Putin wants to strip Russians of voting right MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin, seeking to overturn post-Soviet institutions, is about to submit a draft law to scrap Russians' right to elect regional leaders, a senior parliamentarian said yesterday. The reform is part of Mr Putin's plan to bolster central authority after a militant attack in Beslan left more than 320 hostages died. 'The law will be sent to the Duma's council today or tomorrow,' said deputy Vyacheslav Volodin of the United Russia party. The draft calls for governors to be appointed by the president. But opinion polls showed it was...