Ballot to Talk About

In this week's special episode, Sam and Chern convene in person to dissect the UK Local Election results and the outcome of the parliamentary election in Albania. In the UK, as Reform UK made significant gains, is the UK party system changing? How do the Conservatives and Labour respond? And what were some of the significant Councils and Mayoral contests? In Albania, how did Edi Rama's Socialists win a fourth term? What can the Opposition do next? And is the EU by 2030 objective realistic? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week Sam and Chern review the results from Australia's Federal Election. Anthony Albanese has led his Labor Party to a surprise landslide victory, but where was this election won? What is next for the Liberal Party as they seek a new leader? How did Independents and minor parties fare, and did they underperform relative to expectations? And how will this landslide majority govern? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week Sam and Chern review the results from Canada's Federal Election. Mark Carney has led his Liberal Party to a fourth term in Canada, but where was this election won? Why did the Liberals miss out on a majority? What is next for Pierre Poilievre as he seeks a return to Parliament? And how stable is this minority Government with the NDP left soul-searching? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

In this week's episode, Sam and Chern break down the results of Ecuador's Presidential Election and look ahead to the upcoming snap election in Portugal. As Daniel Noboa begins his first full term as President of Ecuador, they discuss how he managed to win again. Do Correa-backed candidates have a natural ceiling? In Portugal, will their third election in four years produce more political stability? What caused this snap election? And will Luis Montenegro return to the premiership? All these questions and more answered in this episode.

This week Sam and Chern preview the upcoming Federal Election in Australia. Anthony Albanese is seeking to avoid being the first Prime Minister in almost 100 years not to see his party win a second term. Why has the opinion polling narrowed since the start of the year? What should Peter Dutton's campaign focus be? What are the key seats and regions to watch that will decide this election? And after a record crossbench in 2022, how will smaller parties and Independents fare this time? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week Sam and Chern preview the upcoming Federal Election in Canada. As new Prime Minister Mark Carney rolls the dice and seeks a fourth term for his Liberal Party, Pierre Poilievre is seeking to make him Canada's shortest-serving leader. What has motivated the Liberal surge in the opinion polls? Where will this election be won and lost? How can Pierre Poilievre put his Conservative party back in the driving seat? And will the NDP lose official party status for the second time? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week focusses on election results in Western Australia and Delhi, India. As WA Labor wins a historic third term, how did they manage another landslide? Why did the Liberals fail to gain significant ground? And what are the federal implications with a national election around the corner? And as the BJP return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades, what has motivated their revival? After a disappointing 2024 Lok Sabha election, do results in Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana prove the BJP are back in business? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week's episode dissects results from the recent German Federal Election and this week's provincial election in Ontario, Canada. As Friedrich Merz begins negotiations to become Chancellor, Sam and Chern ask how the CDU were able to win? Is a CDU-SPD Grand Coalition now inevitable? What is next for the AfD? And what was behind the Left resurgence? And in Ontario, how did Doug Ford win a third successive majority Government? How will the Liberals and NDP rate their performances? And what will be the federal implications ahead of an imminent federal election? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

This week's episode breaks down results from the 2024 federal election in Belgium, whilst looking ahead to the upcoming snap federal election in Germany. In Belgium, a government agreement has been signed 8 months on, leading to their first Flemish Nationalist Prime Minister. Why did the Government negotiation take half the time as last time? And why have the right-wing Reformist Movement topped the polls for the first time in Wallonia? In Germany, Sam and Chern preview the snap election that will likely see the CDU return to power under Friedrich Merz. What has so doomed the SPD? How many parties will likely enter the Bundestag? And what has fuelled the rise of the AfD? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode.

The first episode of the year looks ahead to the year 2025 in politics and elections, discussing the polls to look out for and the themes we might be talking about as the year rolls on. Whilst not as busy as the big political year of 2024, the year sees scheduled elections in significant and fascinating democracies of Germany, Canada, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Norway, and many others. This week, Sam and Chern preview the electoral calendar, picking out some highlights and previewing some stories that are likely to define the political year region by region. Will 2025 be a year of change as multiple incumbents look vulnerable heading into this cycle?

This week's episode takes a look back at the political year that was 2024. Sam and Chern discuss the most notable moments, elections and figures of the year as they discuss their Political Awards. What were the most consequential and surprising election results? What was the most WTF moment of the year? Who was the worst Politician of the Year? And who will take home the main awards of Male and Female Politician of the Year? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode breaks down results from legislative elections in both Iceland and Ireland. In Iceland, incumbent coalition partners see historic poor performances, whilst the Social Democrat Alliance reap the rewards. Why did the incumbent parties perform so badly? And what will the next Government look like? In Ireland, as a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition looks set to be revived, Sam and Chern discuss why they were able to seemingly withstand the global anti-incumbency revolt? And why did Sinn Fein fail to capitalise on mid-term polling highs? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode breaks down results from elections in three Canadian provinces and looks ahead to an upcoming snap polling day in Nova Scotia. Sam and Chern discuss differing fortunes for incumbents in British Columbia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan as the federal parties look ahead to the imminent election. Why did incumbents survive in BC and Saskatchewan in an anti-incumbent international environment? Can anyone dislodge the Saskatchewan Party? Why did Tim Houston call a snap election in Nova Scotia? And what are the takeaways from these four Autumn elections for the federal parties with an election around the corner?  All these questions and more answered in this week's episode --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode discusses the results from the US Presidential and Congressional elections that saw Donald Trump return to the White House and his Republican Party seemingly take full control of Congress. How did Trump become only the second person to win two non-consecutive presidential terms? What do the Democrats need to do next? Why did down ballot Democrats so significantly outperform Kamala Harris? And did Joe Biden's late decision to withdraw harm Democratic chances? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode discusses results from legislative elections in both Lithuania and Japan. In Lithuania, the Social Democrats have topped the polls, ending Ingrida Šimonytė's premiership. How did they manage to win the election? What will the next Government look like, and who will be Prime Minister? In Japan, new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's snap election gamble has backfired. Why did the LDP do so badly by historical standards? Is Ishiba's premiership doomed before it has even started? And what coalition may they seek? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week, Sam and Chern dissect results from two regional elections in Australia, in the ACT and Queensland. In the ACT, the Labor Party continued their dominance, but there is a change of the guard in Queensland, with the Liberals preventing a fourth Labor term. Can Labor be beaten in the ACT? Why did they lose control in Queensland? What will the federal implications be with a federal election due next year? And are the Greens under threat from Independent campaigns? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode continues the preview of the upcoming elections in the US, focussing on the Gubernatorial races and the Harris-Trump presidential contest at the top of the ticket. Sam and Chern unpack the state of the race heading into the final few weeks. What have been the main themes of the election? What are the states to watch out for? Are Harris or Trump riding coattails of any Gubernatorial or Senate candidates? What is the tipping point state? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week, Sam and Chern dissect results from the Austrian legislative election, and the presidential contest in Sri Lanka. In Austria, the Freedom Party came first for the first time, but why were they so popular in this cycle? Why did the Peoples Party perform so poorly? And despite this, why are they still the kingmakers in Government? In Sri Lanka, how did Anura Kumara Dissanayake triumph? What was the impact of the 2022 protests? And can he turn around the economic and political woes? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week, Sam and Chern unpack results from three German Landtag elections in the East of the country – Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg. As the AfD scored their best regional results ever, what has been key to the far right's success in Germany? Does the Brandenburg result suggest a glimmer of hope for the SPD on the federal level? Can the CDU cooperate with the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in Government? And can the federal coalition survive this round of poor results? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week, Sam and Chern begin their preview of the upcoming US elections, focussing on the battle for Congress in the House and Senate. How has Biden's decision to exit the presidential race affected the battle to control the legislative chambers? What are the competitive House districts and Senate seats that will decide control? Will there be any major examples of spilt-ticketing across the country, or has this reached yet another all-time low? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week, Sam and Chern turn their attention to Australia, reviewing the election in the Northern Territory, and previewing upcoming polls in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queensland. In the Northern Territory, why did the Labor Party lose power so decisively? Why were the Country Liberals so successful? After a period of complete control of mainland Australia, is Labor's star fading? Are Labor about to also lose control in Queensland for only the second time this century? Are the issues similar to the territory, and what might the federal impact be with a national election due next year? All these questions and more answered in t hisweek's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Returning earlier than expected for an emergency episode, Sam and Chern discuss Joe Biden's historic decision to withdraw from the 2024 Presidential Election and the state of this renewed race. Why did Biden choose to withdraw from the race, and was it a surprise how quickly the party adopted Kamala Harris as the replacement? Why did Harris pick Tim Walz as her running mate? Is she re-forming the Biden 2020 electoral coalition? And what is the state of the race with just a few months remaining? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

In this week's episode, Sam and Chern discuss the surprise results from the snap French legislative election and unpack the Starmer Cabinet in the UK just over a week on from the General Election. How did the New Popular Front pull off a first place finish in this snap election? Why did the National Rally fall far short of expectations? And as talks begin, what kind of Government is possible in this fragmented National Assembly? In the UK, Keir Starmer has begun his time as Labour Prime Minister, but what does his Cabinet say about the first term agenda? Were there any surprises? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

In this 2024 UK General Election special, Sam and Chern discuss the results as they unfolded throughout the night. Sir Keir Starmer has become UK Prime Minister following a landslide victory, but there were so many stories underneath the surface. How did the Labour Party win such a commanding majority? Which seats provided the most interesting stories throughout the night? As the Lib Dems notch up their biggest ever seat count, where in the country did they win? And with the rise of Reform UK, the Greens and Independents, what threats do they pose to the two main parties in the Parliament to come? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from South Africa's General Election, and conclude their preview of the UK General Election, focussing on Northern Ireland and Scotland. In South Africa, the ANC have failed to obtain a majority for the first time since 1994 and have formed a unity coalition with the Democratic Alliance. Why did the ANC choose the DA and not the EFF or Zuma's MK Party? And is Cyril Ramaphosa's time as President limited now? In the UK, what are the seats to watch out for in Scotland and Northern Ireland? And as the campaign draws to a close, has anything moved the dial? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from the giant election for the new European Parliament. In a changing European political landscape, where were the key losses or successes for the party blocs? Did the far-right surge occur as extensively as observers expected? And as the tussle for the European Union top jobs intensifies, who are we likely to see get roles? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from two recent large General Elections in Mexico and India. In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is set to become their first female President, but how was she able to oversee such a commanding victory for the governing Morena Party across the board? Was it a failure of opposition, or was it evidence of the popularity of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador? In India, Narendra Modi's NDA failed to get the 400 seats they were aiming for and actually fell backwards. Why was it such a polling miss? Why did voters turn away from the BJP? And can Congress/INDIA take credit for a successful campaign? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern preview the upcoming UK General Election, focussing on constituencies and campaigns across England and Wales. What are the seats to watch on election night, and where will this election be won and lost? Why have the polls changed so dramatically in the five years since the 2019 General Election? How will Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer feel after the first full week of campaigning? And which Cabinet Ministers could be contenders for 2024's ‘Portillo Moment'? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down results from three Spanish autonomous communities that have been to the polls in the first half of 2024: Galicia, Basque and Catalonia. As regionalist parties demonstrate their strength, how will these results affect the federal Sanchez government? Why has Catalonia not elected a pro-independence parliament for the first time in over 40 years? Why did the Socialists perform significantly better in Catalonia than Galicia just 3 months prior? What do these elections tell us about the state of Spanish politics? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from the recent General Elections in Panama and in North Macedonia. In Panama, José Raúl Mulino has won the presidency but has fallen well short of a majority for his Realizing Goals party in the National Assembly. Why did the opposition do so well, and was it more of a vote against the incumbents? In North Macedonia, will the VMRO and Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova victory stall the EU accession negotiations? Why did the opposition perform so well here too? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern dissect the results from the 2024 set of UK local elections in the final electoral test before the expected General Election later this year. The Conservatives suffered almost 500 Council seat losses, and only managed to win one of the mayoralties up for grabs (Tees Valley), so can the party turn it around in the run up to the General Election? As Labour celebrate big wins and a close contest in the West Midlands, can anything stop a Labour majority? And can the Greens and Liberal Democrats convert local successes into seats at Westminster? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look ahead to the mammoth General Election that is already underway in India to elect the 18th Lok Sabha. Narendra Modi looks poised to win a third term as Prime Minister and a third successive majority for his BJP, but what is the key to his enduring electoral appeal? Why has Congress been unable to make any significant inroads into the BJP's dominance? In which states will this election be won and lost? And is Modi's 400-seat objective achievable? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from the recent General Election in Croatia and look ahead to the upcoming electoral contest in South Africa. In Croatia, Andrej Plenković's HDZ have topped the polls again, but will need to find some allies to remain in Government. Why have the HDZ been so dominant in Croatian politics, and why have they fallen back this time? Why was the SDP and Zoran Milanovic unable to oust the HDZ? And what issues dominated the campaign? In South Africa, why do the ANC look likely to fall short of an overall majority for the first time since the end of Apartheid? What impact will Jacob Zuma have on this contest? And why have the Democratic Alliance so far been unable to capitalise on ANC setbacks? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from the recent state election in Tasmania, Australia, and the parliamentary election in South Korea. In Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff's Liberals won a historic fourth term, but what will be the consequences of losing their overall majority? Did the change in National Assembly make-up make a big difference? Should Labor be disappointed, and was Rebecca White a personal drag on the campaign? In South Korea, will a repeat Democratic Party landslide be a big problem for President Yoon Suk Yeol? How did the Opposition pull off such a big result again? And why were Green Onions such a big campaign feature? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from Portugal's General Election and look ahead to next week's state election in Tasmania, Australia. In Portugal, Luis Montenegro's Democratic Alliance topped the polls, but have a difficult decision to make in finding a governing partner. What will the eventual government look like, and will Chega play a formal role in it? Did the Socialists overperform, and why did the Democratic Alliance fail to fully capitalise on Socialist dysfunction? In Tasmania, the Liberals are eyeing up a fourth term, but will the change in overall legislative seat count make that a tricky objective? Is it third time lucky for Rebecca White and the Labor Party? And what will be the role of Independents in the election results and government formation? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back at results from Indonesia's General Election and look ahead to next week's snap parliamentary election in Portugal. In Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto has won a commanding victory in one round, but what motivated this big victory? Did Jokowi's tacit endorsement make the difference? And why was there a disparity between the presidential and legislative election results as things stand? In Portugal, why are voters back at the polls just two years after the Socialist majority was obtained? What will the role of Chega be, and are they heading into government? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look back on results from the contested General Election in Pakistan and the presidential election in Finland. In Pakistan, despite Imran Khan's prison sentence and PTI's legal setbacks, PTI-backed candidates have topped the polls in a plurality of seats. What will the eventual Government look like? What is next for the PTI-backed candidates as they head into Opposition? And will the likely marriage of convenience coalition survive? In Finland, how did comeback kid Alexander Stubb beat Pekka Haavisto? What issues were on the line? And why did the Presidency take on more significance in the wake of Finland's NATO accession? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern dive into results from the first two primary contests in the US presidential election, and preview the upcoming General Election in Indonesia. In the US, is a Biden-Trump rematch now inevitable, and is the primary season finished before it even really got started? Is there a viable path left for Nikki Haley? And are there any signs for concern for Donald Trump as he emerges from this contested primary? In Indonesia, what is Joko Widodo's legacy as he vacates the presidency? Why is Prabowo Subianto the favourite heading into the Valentine's Day poll? And why is Jokowi seemingly backing an opposition candidate above his own party? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look at results from Taiwan's elections as the first electoral event of 2024, and comment on recent electoral events in Bangladesh. In Taiwan, how did Lai Ching-te win a third consecutive presidential term for the DPP? Given the strength of the third candidate, did the Opposition miss an opportunity to recapture the presidency? Why did Kuomintang do much better in the legislative elections? And given Beijing's attention on this election, what will be the potential geopolitical consequences? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode looks ahead to the year 2024 in politics and elections, discussing the polls to look out for and the themes we might be talking about as the year rolls on. 2024 is a huge year for democracy, with 75% of the world's democracies and 50% of the global population going to the ballot box. Amongst others, the US, the UK, India, Mexico, Indonesia and South Africa will all be holding national elections. This week, Sam and Chern preview the electoral calendar, picking out some highlights and previewing some stories that are likely to define the political year region by region. Will 2024 be a year of change as multiple incumbents look vulnerable heading into this cycle? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

This week's episode takes a look back at 2023 in politics with Sam and Chern talking through their annual series of awards. What was the most consequential election of the year and the biggest surprise? Did THAT really happen in 2023? Who was the worst politician this year? And which politicians should we be looking out for in 2024 and beyond? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern look at results from six Indian state elections from the second half of 2023, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Which are the most significant results from this year? Why is the BJP strong in the North and Congress better-placed in the Southern states? Have any of these results altered the narrative ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election? And is Modi on track for a historic third term? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down the year in UK politics and the state of the Conservative and Labour parties. Have either party's reshuffles changed the political narrative in the UK? Has Rishi Sunak done anything in 2023 to improve the Conservative chances of victory in the next General Election? Do the 2023 by-election results indicate an inevitable Labour victory? And has the SNP hegemony in Scotland come to an end? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down results from this week's elections in Argentina and the Netherlands. In Argentina, how did Javier Milei comfortably defeat Sergio Massa for the presidency? How will Milei overcome a lack of a majority in Congress? And how will Argentina's allies work with Milei? In the Netherlands, what will the eventual Government look like following the PVV's win? How did Geert Wilders manage to top the polls for the first time, and can he become Prime Minister? And as Timmermans, Omtzigt and Yeşilgöz-Zegerius plot their next move, who is the biggest loser after this tight campaign? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down the year in US politics and the recent off-year electoral cycle. After a few weeks of three gubernatorial races, state legislatives contests and Ohio ballot initiatives, were there any big surprises? How did Democrat Andy Beshear win re-election in a strong Republican state on the federal level? Why did Glenn Youngkin fail to win a Republican trifecta? And after another strong pro-choice vote in the Ohio referendum, will that issue continue to boost Democratic turnout as they head into 2024? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down results from two recent presidential elections in South America – one in Ecuador and the other in Argentina. In Ecuador, how did Daniel Noboa defeat the Correa-backed Luisa González? And can Ecuador's youngest President turn around their fortunes in just eighteen months? In Argentina, how did Sergio Massa outperform polling expectations to win the first round? Can Javier Milei rally the Opposition to defeat the incumbent Peronists? And what should we expect ahead of the second round later this month? All these questions and more answered in this week's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern break down results from two recent parliamentary elections – one in New Zealand and the other in Poland. In New Zealand, how did Christopher Luxon's National Party overturn Labour's majority? Will they need to negotiate with Winston Peters and NZF as well as ACT? And what is next for Chris Hipkins and the Labour Party? In Poland's consequential election, how did the Tusk-led Opposition prevent a third term for the Law and Justice Party? What comes next? And can the three Opposition parties create a workable coalition agreement? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern discuss results from recent elections in the German states of Hesse, Bremen and Bavaria, and Luxembourg's parliamentary election. Why did the SPD do much better in Bremen than their poor showings in Hesse and Bavaria? Why did all federal coalition parties lose ground against incumbent CSU/CDU Governments? And what impact will this have on the federal coalition? In Luxembourg, why is the CSV returning to power after a decade? Why did the Green Party do so badly relative to other coalition parties? And what coalition option will CSV pursue? Will Xavier Bettel be back in Government but not as PM? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern discuss the results from Slovakia's parliamentary election and from the provincial election in Manitoba, Canada. In Slovakia, how did Robert Fico's Smer party win the tight election? Why did Peter Pellegrini take Hlas into a Smer-led coalition? And what will the impact of Fico's premiership be on Slovakian domestic and foreign policy? In Manitoba, how did the NDP prevent a Progressive Conservative third term? Was it Heather Stefanson's loss, or Kinew's win? And what are the federal implications? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern discuss the state of federal politics in Canada and look ahead to the upcoming Indigenous Voice Referendum in Australia. What are the notable appointments in Trudeau's reshuffle? Will the scale of the reshuffle help to reverse the declining fortunes of the Liberals? And what, if any, will be the impact of the Speaker resignation and the Indian diplomatic dispute? And in Australia, how has the ‘No' campaign taken the lead in the Voice referendum after a period of ‘Yes' lead? How has the Liberals' side of the argument seemingly won the debate, despite Labor still leading the polls? And can ‘Yes' turn it around in the final two weeks? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support

Sam and Chern preview two upcoming elections on opposite sides of the globe in New Zealand and Poland. In New Zealand, how has Labour gone from a triumphant majority to at real risk of falling out of office in just one term? How has Christopher Luxon transformed the fortunes of the National Party, and what is the state of Labour under Chris Hipkins? In Poland, is the Law and Justice Party poised for an unprecedented third term? Can Donald Tusk overcome poor personal ratings to return the opposition to power? And why is this election so significant to the European Union? All these questions and more answered in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ballot-to-talk-about/support