Ballot to Talk About

In this episode, Sam and Chern break down the results from aseismic set of midterm elections in the US. As the Democrats retake control of both chambers of Congress, they unpack the key races. How did they amass the largest majorities since 1990? Why did the Republicans do so badly in Trump-won areas? What were the most striking results? And as the 2028 presidential contest begins, which candidates are favoured as things stand? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this pocket-sized special episode, Sam and Chern provide their snap reactions to the overnight US midterm results and unpack their biggest shocks of the night. Where did the Democrats make the biggest gains to contribute to retaking both chambers of Congress? And what are some of the races to watch for the rest of the week?

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect results from the bumper presidential election in Brazil and provincial elections in Quebec and BC, Canada. How did Lula hang on in Brazil? What’s next for the Bolsonaros? And can Lula govern with a divided Congress? And in Canada, why did incumbents lose in Quebec and British Columbia? Why did the CAQ lose all their seats from a majority position? And is David Eby responsible for the worst snap election call in history? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down results from recent parliamentary elections in Sweden and Latvia. In Sweden’s nailbiter, government formation is proving challenging for Magdalena Andersson. Can the Red Bloc pull together and form a stable Government? And why did the Swedish Democrats fall backwards for the first time? In Latvia, how did Andris Kulbergs win his United List the biggest single mandate in post-Soviet Latvian electoral history? What Government will he opt for? And can he avoid the instability of the Prime Ministers before him? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down results from five 2026 elections in German Landtags: Baden Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With the AfD on the rise and looking set to form a state Government for the first time, can they translate this into federal success? Why did the CDU do so badly towards the end of the year? Are voters behaving more tactically? And is Chancellor Friedrich Merz operating on borrowed time? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern look ahead to the upcoming 2026 US midterms, and assess some of the most interesting stories across the state primaries. What are the most interesting Senate, House and Governor races coming up in November? Is there a realistic path to congressional control for the Democrats? What are the major factors driving the national environment? And what is driving the several progressive successes in primaries? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect recent political events in the UK and France, focussing on Andy Burnham’s first week as the UK’s 59th Prime Minister. In France, how is the field shaping up ahead of a 2027 Presidential Election? Is Marine Le Pen now back as the frontrunner? And how will the left of French politics approach the election? In the UK, who were the most interesting appointments in Burnham’s inaugural Cabinet? Can he turn the Labour Party’s fortunes around? And what do the personalities and policies suggest about the direction and focus of the Burnham premiership? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down results for a pair of South American presidential elections in Colombia and Peru. In Colombia, how did Abelardo de la Espriella win the presidency and take Colombia back to the right? What is Gustavo Petro’s legacy? And why was the result so close? And in the knife-edge Peruvian poll, how was it fourth time lucky for Keiko Fujimori? Was the recent political instability to blame? And can she overcome it in her presidency? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect results from the snap General Election in Malta, and unpack the recent UK by-elections and subsequent resignation of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. In Malta, how did Robert Abela win an unprecedented fourth consecutive term for his Labour Party? And what is next for the Nationalists after a modest increase in their support? And in the UK, how did Andy Burnham win in Makerfield? Why did Keir Starmer resign, and is Burnham’s path to No.10 unstoppable? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect results fromthe recent Spanish regional elections in four autonomous communities: Aragon, Extremadura, Castille and Leon, and Andalusia. As the PP prepare for negotiations with Vox across the country, the episode asks why they performed well but fell short of an overall majority? Can they work well with Vox in Government? And what do these results say about Pedro Sanchez’s fortunes ahead of a scheduled 2027 General Election? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.