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In this special episode of Probably About Politics, Alex and Kaleigh explore the race to become the next UN Secretary-General, a high-stakes selection process shaped by diplomacy, confidential Security Council polls, and the veto power of the world's five most influential members. We'll also look at the challenges facing the next leader: wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the climate crisis, funding shortfalls, and growing questions about the future of international law and multilateral cooperation. With the UN facing mounting pressure to demonstrate its relevance, what can its next Secretary-General realistically accomplish? Send your democracy queries to us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Kazakhstan is heading to the polls for the first election under a new constitution. But are these reforms creating a more democratic system, or simply reshaping an authoritarian one? This week, Alex and Kaleigh explore the constitutional changes and Tokayev's campaign of "de-Nazarbayevification," in Central Asia's largest economy. They also examine Kazakhstan's delicate balancing act between Russia and China, and why its energy resources, critical minerals, and trade routes make it increasingly important on the world stage. Also: Kaleigh discusses a warning from the FAO and World Food Programme about growing global food insecurity as El Niño adds to pressure on vulnerable countries. And Alex looks at new research that could help scientists locate water ice beneath the Moon's surface, a key step toward future lunar exploration and settlement. Send your democracy queries to us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

São Tomé and Príncipe is heading to the polls this month! Join Alex and Kaleigh as they visit one of Africa's smallest island nations - and one of Central Africa's most stable democracies. Together, they unpack how a constitutional showdown between the president and prime minister became the defining issue of the campaign, why this election is a preview of an even bigger political battle later this year, and how the country's strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea is drawing attention from Europe, China, and other global powers Also: UN World Drug Report and an update on Uranus! Instagram: ⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

If you feel like Kosovo just had an election… you’re not wrong. This week, Alex and Kaleigh are breaking down why Kosovo is heading back to the polls (again) after parliament failed (repeatedly) to elect a president. Think: boycotts, constitutional loopholes, and a political system that might be a little too easy to break. From the dominance of Albin Kurti’s party to the political influence of Vjosa Osmani to the role of Kosovo’s Serb minority, this episode unpacks the internal and external pressures shaping the vote. Also: UN funding crises, global displacement, and why immigration attitudes don’t always make sense. Don’t forget to subscribe and share any of your democracy queries with us! Instagram: ⁠@probpolitics⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]

Cyprus may be a small island, but this election has massive stakes. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Cyprus is navigating corruption scandals, NATO ambitions, reunification talks, and the rise of a new kind of internet-driven politics — all while holding the EU presidency. The hosts unpack Cyprus’s unique electoral system, and why this election could shape everything from EU diplomacy to NATO relations and the future of reunification talks on the island. Along the way, Kaleigh also explores the history of the Cyprus divide, the role of the United Nations buffer zone, and why this small Mediterranean country plays such an outsized role in global politics. Plus: in science news, researchers are getting closer to answering one of humanity’s biggest questions: could life exist on other planets? Don’t forget to subscribe, and share any of your democracy queries with us! Instagram: @probpoliticsEmail: [email protected]

Hungary heads to the polls in an election that could bring real change. In this episode, Alex and Kaleigh break down how Hungary’s political system works, what “electoral autocracy” actually means, and why it can be so difficult for opposition parties — and voters — to shift power, even in an election. Plus, Kaleigh explains growing concerns around respect for UN Peacekeepers. And Alex brings some (slightly reassuring) black hole news. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Denmark heads to the polls in an election shaped by global politics — even as voters worry about housing, taxes, and the cost of living. We break down Denmark’s consensus-driven system and the party alliances that make this race more complex than the headlines suggest. Plus: Kaleigh breaks down concerns for women’s rights tied to a proposed UN agency merger, and Alex asks the important question — should we be worried about a runaway supermassive black hole? Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

After mass youth-led protests in September 2025 forced the prime minister to resign, Nepal is preparing for a March 5, 2026, election that could reshape its political future. In this episode, we unpack Nepal’s dramatic political evolution over the past 25 years and explore how this moment fits into a wider regional pattern of protest-driven political change. Is this really a “Gen Z election”? Can protest energy translate into lasting democratic change? And what happens when digital movements meet real-world ballots? Plus: space news gets unexpectedly agricultural. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This month, Alex and Kaleigh are talking about the New Democratic Party - Canada’s left-leaning, pro-labour, progressive third party - and what it means now that they’ve lost official party status in Parliament. We dig into the NDP’s legacy, their historic influence on major national policies, and what Jagmeet Singh’s resignation signals for the party’s future. Plus, how Canada’s first-past-the-post system, rising political polarization, and an unusually high-stakes 2025 election may have pushed voters back to a two-party mindset - at least for now. Don’t forget to subscribe, and share any of your democracy queries with us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alex and Kaleigh return to Greenland to unpack the national election that took place earlier this month. With growing international attention on the Arctic region, this election wasn’t just about local politics—it was an opportunity to reflect on Greenland's ongoing journey toward independence and sovereignty. Join us as we dive deep into the implications of this election, the challenges ahead, and the important questions that will shape Greenland’s future as a fully sovereign nation. Don’t forget to subscribe, share any of your democracy queries with us! Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From tragedy to uprising: Serbia's students are taking to the streets, demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders. What sparked this latest wave of protests, and how does it connect to Serbia's rich history of student activism? Join Alex and Kaleigh as they explore the pivotal role student movements play in challenging the status quo, not just in Serbia but around the globe. Get in touch with us with any of your democracy queries: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

As the final elections of 2024 approach, join Alex and Kaleigh to discuss upcoming elections in Chad. In this episode, the hosts quickly discover that the conversation transcends the electoral process and delves into the broader themes of democracy, colonial legacies, and the future of Chad and the Sahel region of Africa. Tune in for an episode that connects local politics to global issues, shedding light on the challenges and hopes that shape this vital part of the world. Get in touch with us with any of your democracy queries: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join Alex and Kaleigh as they dive into the political landscape of Japan, a country dominated by one governing party throughout much of its modern election history. This month's early election, prompted by a year rife with party scandals, appears unlikely to disrupt the status quo. We delve into the party presidential elections that led to the national polls and uncover the dynamics shaping the upcoming national vote. Get in touch with us with any of your democracy queries: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

This month, Alex and Kaleigh unpack the recent Mexican election AND chat with a friend of the show, Laura Primeau, a PhD candidate studying Indigenous rights and the controversial Tren Maya project. Tune in to dive deeper into the election's impact and how Indigenous communities use international law to fight for their rights territory and recognition of Indigenous worldviews in development. Get in touch with us with any of your democracy queries: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Laura Primeau: https://carleton.ca/polisci/people/laura-primeau/

Buckle up for Mexico's biggest election ever! Alex and Kaleigh analyze this historic election, from the record number of candidates to the landmark victory of Claudia Sheinbaum, the nation's first female president. They explore Mexico's political landscape, election details, and how the controversial Tren Maya project could foreshadow President Sheinbaum's future. Get in touch with us with any of your democracy queries: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@probpolitics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠