Election year

No, not here - in Latin America. According to the BBC, Latin America faces 12 presidential elections between now and the end of 2006 - including in seven of the region's eight largest countries (the exception apparantly being Argentina). And what people are watching out for is whether the trend of left-wing governments, such as those led by Venezuela's Hugh Chavez or Brazil's Lula, will continue.

The first election, in Honduras this weekend, won't deliver any great change; they seem to have a cosy little oligarchy, and the two major parties pursue very similar policies of supporting the elite and packing the bureaucracy with their cronies. More interesting will be the two elections following, in Chile and Bolivia. I'll be watching those eagerly to see if the left can cement its gains...