Stop meddling! This was the curt response by today's politicians to the old guard's interference in the difficult process of forming a coalition. Two former prime ministers and numerous other Christian Democrat (CDA) politicians have openly voiced their opposition to a cabinet supported by Geert Wilders' populist Freedom Party.

The criticism of prominent party members is dismissed as undesired and irrelevant. It is up to the younger generation of politicians to determine the course of the country. It is difficult enough to form a coalition as it is, the politicians of today think. The criticism by these CDA 'dinosaurs' has not missed its target, as illustrated by the heated debates within the party.

Life-long power
Meddling by former politicians is a worldwide phenomenon. The only difference is how it's done. In many countries, it's possible to remain in power for the rest of your life. In others, political leaders try to secure their legacy by choosing their successor. And there are countries where political dinosaurs try to reassert their power, with varying degrees of success.

Asia
Indonesia is a textbook example. It is normal for politicians who refuse to leave the political arena to interfere with government affairs. One example is blatant power mongering by Aburizal Bakrie, the leader of the de Golkar Party. This former minister of economic affairs and powerful businessman was the subject of an investigation into corruption after leaving office in 2005. A public smear campaign against the minister of finance Sri Mulyani who instigated the investigation, was successful. As a result, Sri Mulyani was moved to the World Bank while Mr Bakrie reaffirmed his position by brokering a coalition between the Golkar Party and the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democrat Party.

In China, former politicians do not publicly get involved in government affairs. The former heads of the communist party usually make sure their legacy is left in safe hands before they take their pensions. They extend their power by putting an apprentice in their place, and advising them from behind the scenes. If there is open criticism, it is when power struggles develop between potential successors. Besides, there is not much room for expressing criticism in the heavily state-regulated media.

Africa
On the African continent, political power is often seen as a divine right. Once politicians get into power, they literally see it as a job for life. There are plenty of examples: the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Paul Biya in Cameroon. However, in Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida did abdicate. In 1993, he stood down as president, but now he appears to regret it. IBB, as he is nicknamed, plans to stand in the next presidential election in 2011, because he thinks the younger generation is unable to lead the country. During his last presidency, the army had huge influence on politics and there was large-scale corruption.

Latin-America
There is no sign of former politicians seizing political power in Mexico right now. But former president Vicente Fox's actions can be described as meddling. In his blog, Mr Fox suggested the legalisation of the production, sale and distribution of drugs, in order to put an end to drugs-related violence in his country. In doing so, he knowingly contradicts party comrade and current President Felipe Calderón. The president vehemently opposes legalising drugs and has declared an all-out war on the drug cartels.