A shift to the right?
Turnout seems to be around 42%, which would be a record low and would mean all those adverts persuading people to vote haven't worked.
Some will argue, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that this means people are happy and content with their lot and the job of the parliament: I have heard that argument once already!
Perhaps more significant in the long run is that it seems the centre-right will have a very good night and the socialists will do badly: UMP has 28% in France, CDU 30% in Germany. The pro-market Free Democrats doing well. Quite extraordinary at a time of economic crisis, when you would think that the socialists, arguing that it's the fault of the free market and workers need more protection, would appeal. But it seems they will lose seats.
I’m Mark Mardell, the Â鶹Éç's North America editor. These are my reflections on American politics, some thoughts on being a Brit living in the USA, and who knows what else? My 
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