The new president has little room to manouevre — and expectations are running high. Like any politician, Abbas made numerous election promises. They included the return of millions of refugees and of territory lost in 1967, and a Palestinian capital in east Jerusalem. Ordinary voters who put their faith in the democratic process will hold Abbas to these pledges.

As a young man, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a gifted footballer; but not quite good enough to turn professional. So he concentrated on politics instead. Now Erdogan is Prime Minister of Turkey. European Union leaders, who must make a decision on Turkey’s membership application at last week’s Brussels summit, may be wishing the skilful, determined Erdogan had stuck to football.

Spain’s voters have sent a series of dramatic messages that will resonate far beyond Spain, affecting relations within Europe, with the United States and in terms of the ”war on terror”. They reminded the world that regime change is best achieved through the ballot box; and that violence must not be allowed to win.