It did badly in Congress, too: a few races are stuck in legal limbo (see article), but both the party and its coalition partners lost seats in both houses.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential election

If you are stuck, in real trouble, where your wheels are slipping badly, to pull away resort to slightly deflating the drive wheel tyres - this gives them a larger area of contact with the road.

BBC: Your tips for coping in a colder UK climate

In recent weeks two badly needed laws, a bankruptcy law and a loan-guarantee law, were passed after months stuck in Congress.

ECONOMIST: Mexican banks