Gordon Brown

Given that it’s the end of The World Next Week, we here take the opportunity to look back over some of the wiliest political masterstrokes from the last few months.

Third Prize

In June, we commended Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after he craftily reshuffled his cabinet, bringing back former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia as Head of Government for the third time.  Ouyahia was once a major rival, but as Head of Government his priority has been to push through the constitutional reforms that would allow the President to seek a third mandate.  Last week, Bouteflika got his wish when the Algerian Parliament overwhelmingly approved a series of amendments which removed the limit on the number of times a president can seek re-election. The president is now almost certain to stand for, and win, re-election next year, although with his health failing it may be the comparatively spritely Ouyahia who emerges the real winner.

Second Prize

In August, we recognised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s success in restoring Syria’s reputation in the international community.  Damascus had been out of favour with much of the Western world ever since allegations of its links to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in February 2005.   That began to change in July when Assad used a ground-breaking visit to France to announce a shift in policy towards Lebanon.  A reconciliatory meeting with Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman followed, and -- although little was done to alter Syria’s fundamental control over its smaller neighbour -- the development was nonetheless successfully presented as a major breakthrough.  These moves were followed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s trip to Damascus in September, and most recently a visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband this week.  After years as an international pariah, Assad is fast restoring Syria to its former position as an essential player in regional relations.

First Prize

In September, we noted UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s remarkable success in using the international financial crisis as a means of resuscitating his ailing premiership.  Ridiculed for his indecision over whether to call a snap general election, vilified for his government’s inability to keep hold of confidential data and condemned for his decision to abolish the 10% tax band, Gordon Brown’s days as prime minister appeared to be numbered.  That situation began to change when, following a rousing speech to the Labour Party Conference, bickering Labour Party MPs put aside their differences and rallied behind their beleaguered leader.  Then came the financial meltdown and the Prime Minister’s now famous plan to stabilise the banking system by taking equity shares in national banks.  The plan was repeated around the world and, for a while at least, Brown was hailed as a hero.  While the economic costs of this plan -- and his other spending commitments -- remain uncertain, the political dividends have been enormous.