>>>>Why does it have to be an elected official?
>>>
>>>The article cited "liberal pols"
>>>Politician connotes elected official to me.
>>
>>A politician does not need to be elected at all
>
>In general I agree.
>In the context of this article, I interpreted it to refer to officeholders.

I have no idea about foreign procedures, but you can hold an office in germany without been elected. (at least by the general electoral livestock, parliament must elect you to be part of the government)