Ballot to Talk About

Ballot to Talk About

By Sam Rippon and Chern Han MahNewsPolitics
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Ballot to Talk About episodes

  • Stunning Wins and Hard Choices in Denmark and Slovenia

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect election results from two tight contests in the European nations of Denmark and Slovenia. In Denmark, can Mette Frederiksen put together a Government for a third term? Why did her favourability decline and did the Greenland dispute save her? Why did the centre-right Venstre also suffer big losses? And in Slovenia, how did Robert Golob finish first in the photo finish election? Can he form another Government? Or will Janez Janša return for a fourth stint as PM? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    59 min
  • South Australia 2026: Malinauskas on the March

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dive into results from the recent state election in South Australia. As Peter Malinauskas begins his second term as Premier, they ask how his Labor Party was able to win such a significant landslide? Why did the Liberals perform so badly? Have they been supplanted by One Nation as the primary opposition party? And as the federal Liberal Party begin their next chapter under Angus Taylor, what went wrong for Sussan Ley and what’s next? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    1 hr
  • Rob Jetten's Mottley Crew

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dive into election results from Barbados and discuss developments since the 2025 Dutch election. In Barbados, how did Mia Mottley win a third consecutive full house? Were the opposition caught off-guard by this snap election announcement? And as the Netherlands finally gets a new Prime Minister in Rob Jetten, how did D66 triumph in the election? Why did Jetten opt for a minority Government? And amidst the widely fragmented party system, can this Government survive a full term? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    47 min
  • New Eras in Thailand and Bangladesh

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect results fromrecent elections in Thailand and Bangladesh. In Thailand, Bhumjaithai have won a plurality of seats and enter Government with Pheu Thai, but why did the Peoples Party underperform relative to 2023? And what will the next term look like? And in Bangladesh, the BNP are back in power, but what will the country look like in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s departure and death sentence? How did the BNP win a landslide? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    59 min
  • Who Run the World? Girls

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down results from elections in both Japan and Costa Rica – two statement victories from female leaders. In Japan, Sanae Takaichi led her LDP to a landslide victory in the Diet. How did Takaichi win so decisively? What is next for Japan? In Costa Rica, how did Laura Fernandez become their second female President? What has motivated their rightward turn? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    56 min
  • And with that, the 2026 season begins...

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern look ahead to the 2026electoral calendar. Taking it region by region, they unpack scheduled elections across the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific. What are the most anticipated and consequential electoral contests taking place this year? And what might some of the prevailing themes be? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    1 hr 5 min
  • Sharp Right Turn in Honduras and Chile

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dissect results from a pair of Presidential Elections in Honduras and Chile. In Honduras, Nasry Asfura has been declared the winner of the presidential contest following some count delays. Why did Honduras turn to the right after a term of a left-wing presidency? And did the Trump endorsement help Asfura win? In Chile, why was it third-time lucky for Jose Antonio Kast? Will he face issues due to lacking a parliamentary majority? And what are the common takeaways in Latin America, especially in the wake of the US military action in Venezuela? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    56 min
  • 2025: The Political Year that Was

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down the year that was 2025 in global politics. They discuss some of the key electoral and political moments of the year and distribute their annual political awards. What were the most consequential and surprising election results of the year? Who was the worst politician of the year and what was the dumbest moment? And who were Sam and Chern’s politicians of the year? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    1 hr 7 min
  • UK Politics: 2025 in Review

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern break down the year that was 2025 in UK politics. They discuss the state of the parties heading into 2026 and what have been some of the most significant events of the year. After almost 18 months in office, is Starmer’s leadership already in doubt? Have the Conservatives done anything to turn around their declining fortunes? And how have Reform UK and the Greens ascended to new heights in opinion polls? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    1 hr 8 min
  • Midterm boosts for Modi and Milei

    In this week’s episode, Sam and Chern dive into results from the legislative midterms in Argentina, and the state election in Bihar India. In Argentina, how did Javier Milei’s LLA top the polls after a bleak Autumn? Did Donald Trump’s financial intervention make a difference? And what will the next 2 years look like before Milei defends the presidency? And in India, how did the NDA pull off an impressive and dominant victory in Bihar? And how can the Opposition rally heading into state elections throughout 2026? All these questions and more answered in this week’s episode.

    1 hr 1 min

About Ballot to Talk About

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An international politics podcast discussing elections and political events around the world. Each episode will discuss upcoming elections and offer insights into significant events.