Change of season....

Is it just me or is there something special in the air this weekend? The press if full of tintillating stories about upcoming elections in both Canada and Israel. Here at home, who knows how Gomery will affect the outcome? In fact, does anyone even care anymore? All I know if that trust is a major issue this time around, and with the Liberals actions from the last 2 Prime Minister's, trust is not something that Martin will want to address. Meanwhile, the Conservatives and NDP are led by 2 men who are utterly unidentifiable. These 2 have proven, unlike the Liberals not through action by through their demeanour, that they are not prepared to lead what will inevitably be another minority government. And that leaves the Bloc. In today's fractious world that is Canadian federal politics, it almost seems as if the Bloc were to expand West and East, they might be the biggest winnners in the upcoming Winter election.

And then we move to the Middle East. Elections will be early to mid March, and with less approximately 3 months until voters will have their say, interesting developments have occured. First, perennial Labor leader and past Prime Minister Shimon Peres was narrowly beaten by a relative young upstart, Peretz (think that confused anybody?). Sharon ahs already completed the necessary steps to break from the Likud and start his own party...but that decision will only come in 2 days. MK Lapid seems to feel Sharon will bolt. Does that leave the door wide open for Netanyahu? Will anyone go up against this other former Prime Minister? Then the leader of the right-wing National Union Party, Avogdor Lieberman, is calling for a united Right come March. Will the National Religious Party and Likud answer that call to keep Sharon from power? So many questions...

And this is why I am so excited. It may be getting cold outside, but things inside the Knesset and on Parliament Hill are sure to heat things up in the coming weeks. Maybe I can even leave my jacket at home this week...