A global fit of LEP/SLC data with light superpartners

We find that re-analyzing the LEP/SLC data with light superpartners and low αs(mZ2) ⋍ 0.112 yields a better fit to the data than the Standard Model, giving a satisfactory description of the Rb measurement, and a better fit to ALR. A large body of low energy (q2 ⪡ mZ2) data and analyses provide compeling evidence for αs(mZ2) ⋍ 0.112. Global fits to LEP/SLC data in the Standard Model, however, converge on a value of αs(mZ2) ⋍ 0.126. Recently it has become increasingly clear that these should be viewed as incompatible rather than values that can be averaged. We investigate the possibility that new physics is causing the LEP high value. To this end we have conducted a global analysis of LEP/SLC data in the Standard Model and also in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. Several predictions could confirm (or rule out) the results of this paper: light chargino and stop, top decays into stop and neutralino, large Rb, large ALR, and a higher MW. We briefly discuss the implications of low αs for more fundamental high-scale supersymmetric theories.