• LEBANON’S parliament is supposed to pick a new president for the country on Wednesday November 21st, but the Lebanese are not yet close to doing so. The president is traditionally a Christian in the power-sharing government, and is chosen from a list of names proposed by the patriarch of the Maronite church. But a row over who should be nominated has proved divisive and has spread concern that war could again ignite in Lebanon. Outsiders, notably France's foreign minister, have been trying to mediate. • THE long-running saga of whether Italy will be able to sell a 49.9% controlling stake in the national flag-carrier, Alitalia, should see a new chapter by Friday November 23rd, when the government says that it expects to announce a sale. Various investors are thought to be keen on getting control of the airline, but not under the conditions sought by Italy's government. Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Italy's Air One and Aeroflot may each consider a bid, at least if various requirements, for example on preserving the workforce intact, were relaxed. • THE Commonwealth heads of government gather in Uganda's capital, Kampala, from Friday November 23rd, for their annual get-together. One item will dominate: what to do about Pakistan after that country's president, General Pervez Musharraf, in effect launched a coup by declaring a state of emergency earlier this month. The group has booted out members in the past for violation of democratic norms; Fiji is currently suspended and Zimbabwe left the organisation after being suspended. Pakistan itself was also suspended from 1999 to 2004. Another spell in the cold looks likely. • ON SATURDAY November 24th Australians go to the polls. Despite a strong economy, and the government’s promises of more spending to come, a fifth term is unlikely for John Howard. Paul Rudd and the Labour Party have a ten-point lead going into the final week, roughly the same as they have had for most of the year. The youngish, Chinese-speaking former diplomat has not made any dramatic promises to change policies, but after four terms of Mr Howard, Australians seem ready to turn the page. That said, Labour must gain 16 seats; the possibility of a close result cannot be ruled out.
