It hangs in every government and party office in the enclave: the Kurds' official map of Iraqi Kurdistan.

ECONOMIST: The Kurds talk of federation and plan for independence

There was even greater surprise when, 14 years later, the former party functionary with no current party post, no elected national office and little government experience (just four years as education minister, between 1988 and 1992), not only imposed himself as the Socialists' presidential candidate, but went on to take the lead in the first ballot, before winning a thoroughly creditable 47% in the run-off.

ECONOMIST: Lionel Jospin, escape artist

The leader of the party, Abdelilah Benkirane, was appointed prime minister and leads a coalition government which took office in January 2012.

BBC: Arab uprising: Country by country - Morocco

However, just two months after the new government officially took office and nearly six months after the 18th Party Congress, there is a feeling of disenchantment, said Chang, with respect to reforms among the optimists.

FORBES: China Crossing The Rubicon As Reform Agenda Moves Forward

As a condition for further aid, Greece's official lenders have demanded cross-party support for the overhaul and austerity program to ensure there is no backsliding after a new government takes office later this spring.

WSJ: Greek Party Leaders Struggle to Resolve Overhaul Differences

First, he has never held public office, which is a good thing to Tea Party voters who strongly distrust government and most politicians.

FORBES: Don't Sleep on Herman Cain

Most of these firms make a play of observing Islamic rules on borrowing, which forbid the payment of interest, and have close links to the Welfare Party, the Islamist senior partner in the government which recently lost office.

ECONOMIST: Turkish shares

Conservative leader Annabel Goldie turned to the SNP government's record in office and argued several policies would not have advanced without her party's support.

BBC: Scottish Parliament