Angela Merkel, Germany's first female chancellor, swept back to power in general elections in September 2009.

Islamic candidates vowing to expel American agents from Pakistan swept the tribal areas in recent legislative elections, and local leaders are demanding that all American activity in the area stop.

Berlusconi led a rightwing coalition that swept to victory in elections in late March that confirmed the demise of corruption-tainted traditional parties like the Christian Democrats and Socialists.

Spain, meanwhile, which had argued vociferously for the God-and-Christianity position, abruptly shifted sides when the Socialists swept aside the center-right Popular Party in general elections in March.

His election was widely expected after Moldova's Communists swept to power in general elections in February.

Mr. Berlusconi, who swept to victory last year in national elections at the head of a center-right coalition, has since suffered a series of setbacks.

Led by Carlos Saul Menem, the man widely proclaimed as the political heir of Juan D. Peron, the Peronist movement swept to overwhelming victory tonight in presidential and congressional elections.

Michael N. Manley, a social democrat who presided over Jamaica for eight tumultuous years in the 1970's, swept to victory tonight in national elections.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) won its most spectacular victory to date when it swept to power in elections in Ontario, Canada's richest province, on Sept. 6.

When the right swept to power in national legislative elections in 1986, Mr. Crepeau emptied his office at the Justice Ministry and repaired to La Rochelle.