A couple of interesting elections happened over the weekend. Firstly, in Australia, the New South Wales state Labor government - which had become a byword for corruption, incompetence, and undemocratic manipulation - was handed a well-deserved electoral kicking. Unfortunately, the people who have replaced them seem to be a bunch of muppets as well, but in this case the devil people knew was vile enough that they were willing to take the risk. Its also another demonstration of the unfairness of the Australian electoral system - the Liberals got 38.3% of the vote, but 63.75% of the seats; the Greens got 9.9% of the vote and nothing. Australia needs MMP. Unfortunately both their major parties benefit from the status quo, so they are unlikely to push for fairness.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the Christian Democrats have lost control of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, which they have ruled since 1953. Better, the Greens look like they will be leading the coalition government. Its a first for the German Green Party, and hopefully it won't be the last.
Finally, Canada is going to the polls on May 2nd, after the Conservative government there lost a confidence vote. The result will probably be little change - no party seems like they'll win a majority, and Canada apparently hates coalitions, so it will mean another two years of electoral chicken from one side or the other.
