Middle East

November 16, 2021

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in the greater Middle East and North Africa, usually posted on Tuesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

A mix of ancient and modern buildings in Tripoli. Libya is due to hold elections in December. Photo credit: Wikimedia/anchishkyn (CC BY 3.0)

Upcoming Middle East Elections

Palestinian Authority Local Elections Stage 1 of 2: December 11, 2021, plus Presidential and Legislative Elections: Long overdue, postponed indefinitely

The Palestinian Authority has proposed holding local elections on December 11, 2021. The PA has postponed its long overdue elections for the legislature and president, which had been scheduled for May 22 and July 31, respectively. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is currently in year 16 of a four-year term. Similarly, the last Legislative Council elections took place in 2006. 

Aaron Boxerman, Times of Israel (November 10, 2021): After national vote nixed, PA seeks legitimacy in local elections: With a 2-part structure that starts with Fatah strongholds and leaves contested cities for later, ballots are seen by some as just an attempt to hush increasingly loud critics

Libya Parliamentary and Presidential Elections: December 24, 2021

Libya’s national elections are overdue and have been postponed due to the political crisis and civil war. However, in November 2020, Libyan stakeholders participating in UN-sponsored talks proposed December 24, 2021 for presidential and parliamentary elections. At this point, it looks like the elections are moving forward, with candidates declaring. However, delays are always possible.

Since the collapse of Muammar Qaddafi’s dictatorship in 2011, Libya has been in crisis. The country is important because of its oil resources, as well as its ports, which have become a springboard for migrants to Europe. As such, foreign powers remain heavily involved. More

Wolfram Lacher and Emadeddin Badi, Washington Post (November 16, 2021): Many Libyans already dismiss next month’s elections as illegitimate: No prominent candidates appear to have support across Libya’s regional and political divisions.

DW (November 16, 2021): Libya: Former military commander Hifter to run for president

Vivian Yee, New York Times (November 14, 2021): Qaddafi Son to Run for President in Libya

Al-Monitor (November 13, 2021): World powers warn Libya election obstructors could face sanctions: World leaders gathered in Paris on Friday for a high-level conference aimed at ensuring Libya’s elections go ahead as planned.

Lebanon Parliamentary Elections: March 27, 2022

Lebanon has set parliamentary elections for March 27, 2022, over a month early. The country has been in a political crisis and without a government since the port explosion in Beirut, in which 215 people died, 7,500 were injured, and 300,000 were left homeless. Moreover, Lebanon is in an economic crisis.

Reuters (November 12, 2021): Lebanon information minister says he is not challenging Mikati or Saudi Arabia

Sarah El Deeb, AP (November 10, 2021): Not a game show: Ex-TV star at center of Lebanon-Saudi row

Past Middle East Elections

Iraq Early Parliamentary Elections: October 10, 2021

Iraq held early elections on October 10 (postponed from the original proposal of holding them on June 6, 2021, one year early) as a result of the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019. The country is also due to hold provincial (sometimes called governorate) elections.

The elections took place in the context of widespread protest and political instability. The political climate is violent and chaotic, with over 600 people killed since the start of the protests. Moreover, a number of political parties have announced plans to boycott the polls.

The Shi’ite firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, one of Iraq’s most influential politicians, had announced a boycott, but has reversed course and urged his followers to support the elections. He subsequently proceeded to win the elections. More

Edith M. Lederer, AP (November 15, 2021): UN condemns attempts to discredit Iraq’s recent election

AFP (November 12, 2021): Supporters of pro-Iran groups in Iraq protest against vote ‘fraud’

Shawn Yuan, Al Jazeera (November 12, 2021): Is Iran losing some of its grip on Shia militias in Iraq? The assassination attempt on Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi has brought the divisions within pro-Iran militias to the fore.

Adnan Abu Zeed, Al-Monitor (November 10, 2021): Iraq’s Sadrist movement in talks on forming government

Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs (November 10, 2021): Iraq’s Protesters Become Parliamentarians: A Tenuous Coalition Seeks to Topple Baghdad’s Elite Consensus

Caitlin Schaer, DW (November 9, 2021): After assassination attempt, what next for Iraq? After losing in the latest federal election, supporters of some Iraqi political parties have resorted to riots and even likely drone attacks to avoid being sidelined. Could the situation escalate?

Morocco Legislative and Local Elections: September 8, 2021

Morocco held legislative, provincial, and local elections on September 8, 2021. The elections took place in the context of discontentment and disillusionment. The moderate Islamic democratic Party of Justice and Development (PJD), which won the most seats in the 2016 elections, lost badly and will not form the next government.

Although the current monarch, King Mohammed VI, has instituted a number of political reforms, he still plays a major role in governing, both through formal structures and informally. Following the 2011 constitutional reforms, the king must appoint a prime minister from the party that wins the most seats in parliament, but the king can still circumvent elected officials in various ways (including dissolving parliament or simply issuing decrees).

Patrick S. Snyder, Washington Post (November 16, 2021): Morocco’s Islamist party just lost power. So why is it turning to its old leader?

Kuwait Parliamentary Elections: December 5, 2020

Kuwait held parliamentary elections on December 5, 2020. As could be expected, COVID-19 and the government’s response shaped public debate ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, populism is on the rise, exacerbated by the pandemic and falling oil prices. More

Stratfor (November 16, 2021): Kuwait: Political Dissidents Return Home After Being Pardoned by Emir

Fiona MacDonald, Bloomberg (November 15, 2021): Kuwait Crown Prince to Temporarily Assume Some of Ruler’s Duties

Reuters (November 14, 2021): Kuwait emir accepts govt resignation – state news agency

Tunisia Presidential and Legislative Elections: September/October 2019

Tunisia began transitioning to democracy in 2011, amid the Arab Spring protests, and in 2019, held the third national elections since the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.  Political outsider and populist Kais Saied won the presidency. The results indicated a rejection of the main political parties and post-Ben Ali political ideologies (Islamism and secular liberalism). However, some concerns lingered about the democratic process.

In July 2021, Saied dismissed the government, a move that some deemed a coup. The move has sparked protests and condemnations from political and civil society actors in Tunisia.

Heba Saleh, Financial Times (November 15, 2021): Life after Tunisia’s coup: ‘This is a moment of counter revolution’

Al Jazeera (November 15, 2021): Tunisian labour union opposes parliament return, urges elections

Tarek Amara, Reuters (November 14, 2021): Tunisian protesters try to march on suspended parliament

Sharan Grewal, Brookings Institution (November 10, 2021): Why the West must continue pushing for Tunisian democracy

Middle East Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Algeria Early Local Elections: November 27, 2021

Palestinian Authority Local Elections Stage 1 of 2: December 11, 2021 (tentative)

Libya Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: December 24, 2021

Jordan Local and Gubernatorial Elections: Fall 2021 (due)

Lebanon Early Parliamentary Elections: March 27, 2022

Bahrain Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)

Egypt Local Elections: Due and discussed, but not scheduled

Oman Local Elections: Due, but postponed due to COVID-19

Palestinian Authority Presidential and Legislative Elections: Long overdue, postponed yet again, no date set

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content, and their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Africa

November 15, 2021

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

Lido Beach in Mogadishu, Somalia, as seen from the water. Photo credit: Wikimedia/AMISOM (CC0 1.0)

Upcoming Africa Elections

Somalia, Indirect Legislative Elections: Due, Indirect Presidential Election: February 8, 2022 (tentative – preceded by indirect legislative elections), following Direct Local Elections in Puntland: October 25, 2021

Somalia does not hold direct elections, but rather holds indirect elections in a clan-based system. Currently, an indirect presidential election is planned for October 10, delayed from February 8, 2021. The term of President Mohamed “Farmaajo” has expired, leaving Somalia in a political and constitutional crisis. In April 2021, Farmaajo sought to extend his term for two years, but parliament voted to reject the extension.

While the United States and the EU threatened sanctions, some analysts believed that the delay could pave the way for direct elections. However, critics dismiss this idea as a ruse to justify Farmaajo’s extension of his term. The parties reached a deal to hold the elections on October 10, 2021, but this has been pushed to February 8, 2022. Additional delays are possible.

Somalia’s strategic location means that instability has impact beyond its borders. More

Garowe Online (November 14, 2021): US urges Somali leaders to conclude Lower House elections before 2022

Dalsan Radio (November 12, 2021): Somalia: Long Delayed Parliamentary Elections to Kick Off Next Week

Gambia Presidential Election: December 4, 2021

Gambia is due to hold its first presidential election since it began its remarkable transition to democracy in 2016, when citizens removed dictator Yahya Jammeh – who had come to power in a coup and ruled for 22 years – peacefully, via the ballot box. In a surprising election result, opposition candidate Adama Barrow won the presidency with the backing of a coalition of seven opposition parties. However, the process of establishing democracy and recovering from Jammeh’s brutal dictatorship has not been easy.

In a shock move, Barrow announced an alliance with Jammeh ahead of December’s election. More

#Elections in #Gambia: The seat-warmer, the forever runner-up, and the return of #Jammeh?

An overview of the upcoming vote by @EromoEgbejule. https://t.co/CuKO2tPCRe

— African Arguments (@africaarguments) November 16, 2021

Eromo Egbejule, Al Jazeera (November 10, 2021): The Gambia elections: Meet the men running for president: Incumbent President Adama Barrow will face five challengers in the December 4 polls.

Jeiune Afrique (November 9, 2021): Gambia: Barrow and 5 others confirmed to run in upcoming December polls

Mali Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 27, 2022 (following two coups – delays highly likely)

Mali has set presidential and legislative elections for February 27, 2022, following the August 2020 coup. In the coup, soldiers removed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, dissolved parliament (which had just been elected in April, in elections marred by fraud and intimidation) and established a transitional government. Before that, there will be a constitutional referendum on October 31, 2021 and local and regional elections on December 26.

On May 25, Mali had another coup, but leaders have stated that the elections will remain on the calendar for 2022. However, the situation remains fluid. Most recently, the government has said the elections would be delayed.

AP (November 15, 2021): EU eyes sanctions in Mali, and against Russian mercenaries

In Moscow Mali’s FM hints at delaying elections again saying “Out of the 19 regions in Mali only 5 are in a position to hold votes’ as security situation continues to deteriorate https://t.co/r4qf6HqEIN

— Nicolas Haque (@nicolashaque) November 11, 2021

David Rich, France24 (November 8, 2021 – in French): Mali: with its sanctions, ECOWAS wants to push for the holding of elections “without punishing the people”

Guinea Elections: TBD, following coup

On September 5, 2021, Guinea’s president, Alpha Condé, fell in a military coup. Guinea’s political future remains uncertain, but regional and international bodies, as well as Guinean civil society and political groups, have urged elections.

Condé was re-elected in October 2020 amid violence. He sought and won a controversial third term, and for the third time, faced off against opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo. Both candidates claimed they won, but election officials declared Condé the winner. However, Diallo challenged the results, alleging fraud and prompting street protests leading to at least 10 deaths. The government arrested a number of opposition members following the election. More

Alain Foka, France24 (November 15, 2021 – interview): Guinean transitional president Mamady Doumbouya: ‘We want to give power back to Guineans’

APA (November 8, 2021): ECOWAS urges Guinea junta to submit election agenda

Nigeria, Several state elections in 2022, and general elections in 2023 (and preceded by local elections in various states)

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, holds general elections in February 2023, but some states are due to hold elections before that. Most recently, Anambra held its gubernatorial election on November 6.

In addition, potential 2023 candidates have already begun jockeying for position. Since the return to civilian rule, vote-rigging and violence have plagued elections. While the 2015 polls – which handed the opposition its first-ever victory – were considered credible, international and Nigerian observers found that the 2019 polls fell short. The country is in the midst of several security crises.

2023 Elections

Akin Irede, The Africa Report (November 14, 2021): Nigeria 2023: How proposed law pushes Tinubu closer to presidency: Supporters of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress chieftain, are rejoicing over the amendment of the Electoral Act, which mandates all political parties to pick their candidates through direct primaries

Anambra Gubernatorial Election

Does the Anambra elections make an Igbo presidency a vanishing prospect? #Nigeria https://t.co/mbGAkaD9cJ

— The Africa Report (@TheAfricaReport) November 15, 2021

William Clowes, Bloomberg (November 10, 2021): Ex-Central Bank Governor Wins Nigeria Governorship Election

AFP (November 10, 2021): Incumbent party wins key Nigeria state election

Eswatini Parliamentary Elections: August 2023 (due)

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is an absolute monarchy. The country does hold parliamentary elections, but the parliament does not actually have much power, and the elections are tightly controlled, without much choice for voters.

On June 20, 2021, a series of protests calling for democratic reform began. Protests continue.

Marcel Plichta, World Politics Review (November 11, 2021): Eswatini’s Pro-Democracy Movement Isn’t Going Away

Democratic Republic of the Congo General Elections: December 2023 (due)

The DRC is due to hold general elections in 2023. The December 2018 presidential and legislative elections, which took place after multiple delays, were mired in controversy and dispute. The election commission declared opposition leader Félix Tshisekedi the winner of the presidential poll, but the Catholic Church, which deployed 40,000 election observers and is a highly trusted institution in the country, said that their data indicated a victory for another opposition leader, Martin Fayulu.

When Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, was polling too poorly for Kabila to credibly rig the election for him, Kabila cut a deal with Tshisekedi.

The legislative elections – also highly disputed – produced a majority for Kabila’s coalition. Major opposition figures Moïse Katumbi and Jean-Pierre Bemba were barred from the polls and spent the election cycle outside the country, but both have returned.

Al Jazeera (November 13, 2021): Thousands rally in DRC capital against electoral commission pick: Protesters in Kinshasa reject last month’s appointment of a new poll body head by President Felix Tshisekedi.

Sudan General Elections: By 2024 (due – unclear following coup)

Sudan plans to hold general elections by 2024, the culmination of a five-year transition to democracy that began with the July 2019 removal of dictator Omar al-Bashir following several months of protests. Al-Bashir was removed in a military coup, and a junta ruled briefly, but entered into an agreement with the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), a wide-ranging coalition of opposition groups, to transition the country to democracy. However, numerous challenges remain.

Yassir Abdallah, Bethlehem Feleke and Maija Ehlinger, CNN (November 14, 2021): Six killed during protests in Sudan as Al Jazeera bureau chief is arrested

Khalid Abdelaziz, Reuters (November 12, 2021): Coup leader pushes Sudan off post-Bashir path to democracy

Fay Abuelgasim and Noha Elhennawy, AP (November 11, 2021): Sudanese general tightens grip on power, 2 weeks after coup

Africanews with AFP (November 8, 2021): Sudan coup chief says he won’t seek office after 2023 vote

Past Africa Elections

South Africa Local Elections: November 1, 2021

South Africa held local elections on November 1, 2021. Voters elected councils for all municipalities in each of the country’s nine provinces. The elections took place in the context of unrest following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for corruption. In that vein, the ruling African National Congress had its worst election result since the end of apartheid, gaining less than 50 percent of the vote. More

Stratfor (November 15, 2021): The ANC’s Record Electoral Defeat Bodes Ill for South Africa’s Economic Stability

Coups on the Rise

Neil Munshi and Andres Schipani, Financial Times (November 14, 2021): ‘Failure of democracy’: why are coups on the rise in Africa? As dissatisfaction with democratically elected leaders intensifies, militaries are extending their grip

Africa Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Somalia, Indirect Legislative Elections: Ongoing

Gambia Presidential Election: December 4, 2021

Angola Local Elections: Overdue, might possibly happen in 2021

Senegal Local Elections: January 23, 2021

Somalia Indirect Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 8, 2022 (Tentative, following numerous delays – additional delays possible)

Mali Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 27, 2022 (following coup – delays possible)

Gambia Parliamentary Elections: April 2022 (due)

Burkina Faso Local Elections: May 2022 (due)

Lesotho Parliamentary Elections: June 2022 (due)

Republic of Congo Legislative Elections: July 2022 (due)

Senegal Legislative Elections: July 2022 (due)

Kenya Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 9, 2022

Angola Legislative Elections: August 2022 (due)

Central African Republic Local Elections: September 2022 (due – delays possible)

Sao Tome and Principe Parliamentary Elections: October 2022 (due)

Equatorial Guinea Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Americas

November 13, 2021

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in the Americas, usually posted on Saturdays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

The Buenos Aires skyline from the Río de la Plata (River of Silver). Argentina holds bellwether midterm elections on November 14. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Roberto Fiadone (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Upcoming Americas Elections

Argentina Midterm Legislative Elections: November 14, 2021 (pos tponed from October)

Argentina is due to hold midterm legislative elections on November 14, along with a few sets of provincial elections on various dates. Although most of the country’s 23 provinces hold their elections at the same time as presidential elections (which last took place in 2019 and are due again in 2023), a few are due to hold elections this year.

Argentina’s 2021 elections – both provincial and legislative – are happening in the context of an economic crisis, which the leftist government and COVID-19 have exacerbated. In the 2019 presidential election, Peronist Alberto Fernández defeated center-right incumbent Mauricio Macri (the first defeat for an Argentine incumbent president), running on a ticket with populist firebrand Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who served as president from 2007 to 2015. Kirchner herself did not run for president because she was facing criminal charges related to misconduct during her time in office. Frente de Todos, the party formed by Kirchner and Fernández, currently holds a majority in the Senate and is the biggest party in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house.

It’s easy to overlook today’s midterms in Argentina given presidential elections this month in Chile, Honduras and Nicaragua. But the vote will help determine whether South America’s 2nd-biggest economy avoids looming currency, debt and inflation crises. pic.twitter.com/ej1YadVUWE

— Benjamin Gedan (@benjamingedan) November 14, 2021

Lucinda Elliott, Financial Times (November 14, 2021): Argentina’s Peronists face uphill battle in midterm elections

Buenos Aires Times (November 13, 2021): Argentina prepares to vote in bellwether election

Mar Centenera, El País (November 9, 2021): Far right gains ground in Argentina with attacks on the ‘political class’

Hernan Nessi, Reuters (November 9, 2021): Analysis: Valuing Argentina’s peso: It could cost the Peronists an election

Chile Presidential and Legislative Elections: November 21, 2021

Chile holds presidential and legislative elections in November, following presidential primaries on July 18 that produced surprise results ). These elections follow the May 2021 local elections, and importantly, elections to the Constitutional Assembly. Incumbent president Sebastian Pinera, from the center-right Chile Vamos coalition, is not running for another term. He currently has low approval ratings. Moreover, the conservatives failed to secure even one-third of the Constitutional Assembly. 

The results of the July 18 presidential primaries indicate that voters seem to want a return to moderation. Center-right Sebastian Sichel prevailed over candidates who were both more established and more to the right. Similarly, on the left, communist Daniel Jadue, a darling of the international left-wing commentariat, lost to Gabriel Boric, a socialist former student leader. A number of other candidates could also enter the race, leaving the result far from clear.

These elections are taking place in the context of a year of protests and riots, including violent looting, arson, and vandalism. Furthermore, an intense debate over the new constitution continues. More

Valentina Fuentes, Bloomberg (November 12, 2021): Chile’s Boric at Loggerheads With Communist Allies On Nicaragua

AP (November 10, 2021): Chile’s president has been impeached over the Pandora Papers allegations

Valentina Fuentes and Eduardo Thomson, Bloomberg (November 8, 2021): Conservative’s Rise in Polls is Giving a Boost to Chile’s Ailing Bond Market

Reuters (November 6, 2021): Chile conservative Kast maintains lead in final pre-election opinion polls

Venezuela Regional and Local Elections: November 21, 2021

Venezuela has scheduled regional and local elections for November 21, 2021. In December 2020, Venezuela held legislative elections despite members of the opposition and international community calling for a delay in order to ensure credible, fair elections. Ultimately, most of the opposition boycotted; however, opposition parties are participating in the November 21 elections.

Less than a month before Venezuela's “elections,” none of the essential conditions for free, fair, and transparent elections are in place. Maduro will leverage the process to tighten his grip on the Venezuelan people.

Here's how the U.S. should respond: https://t.co/6EHQ2HuiVc pic.twitter.com/eNhmj7WFCC

— Forum for American Leadership (@forum_american) November 12, 2021

MercoPress (November 10, 2021): Prominent Venezuelan politician warns EU’s mission: The will of the people must be respected

The Economist (November 9, 2021): Six ways Nicolás Maduro stays in power in Venezuela: With an approval rating of around 15%, he could not possibly win a fair election

The #EU's decision, and in particular, that of @JosepBorrellF, to send an electoral observation mission to #Venezuela's regional elections will witness the bloc rubbing elbows with one from #Russia, a strong @NicolasMaduro backer. What a sight to behold. https://t.co/dKiRwF87sO

— Ryan Berg, PhD (@RyanBergPhD) November 9, 2021

Anthony Faiola, Washington Post (November 8, 2021): The European Union makes a policy play in Venezuela. Washington is not amused.

Honduras General Elections: November 28, 2021

Honduras holds presidential and legislative elections on November 28, 2021, following the March 14 primaries.

These elections are taking place in the context of polarization. The 2017 elections, which saw the controversial re-election of President Juan Orlando Hernández from the conservative National Party, were turbulent, with at least 30 people dying in protests over allegations of fraud. Hernández defeated Xiomara Castro, the wife of leftist former president Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in 2009. Castro is running again this year, after winning the LIBRE party primary.

On the geopolitical front, Honduras is one of the few countries that maintains formal diplomatic relations Taiwan, but Beijing has been pressuring politicians to change that. LIBRE has said that it will switch its recognition to Beijing if it wins these elections. More

Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat (November 13, 2021): Honduras’ President Is in Taiwan for a Surprise State Visit: Taiwan, afraid of losing yet another ally, is eager to shore up support ahead of Honduras’ election.

AFP (November 13, 2021): Honduras president backs Taiwan on visit to island

Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News (November 9, 2021): Taiwan warns Honduras of China’s empty promises ahead of presidential election: Honduran opposition candidate pledges to establish relations with Beijing if elected

Costa Rica Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 6, 2022

Costa Rica holds general elections on February 6, 2022. Rated Free by Freedom House, Costa Rica has been a stable democracy since 1949. Incumbent presidents are not allowed to run for a second consecutive term, so President Carlos Alvarado from the center-left Citizen Action (PAC) cannot run for another term. PAC has nominated former prime minister Welmer Ramos as its presidential candidate. In total, there will be 27 presidential candidates from various parties.

Americas Quarterly (November 10, 2021): Meet the Candidates: Costa Rica: For the second election in a row, Costa Rica’s traditional parties look vulnerable — but so do their challengers

Brazil Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2, 2022

Brazil holds general elections in October 2022. Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing populist firebrand president, is up for re-election. Former president Lula da Silva, himself a populist firebrand of the left-wing variety, will run against him. The country remains deeply polarized between right and left, although some third-way candidates plan to challenge both Bolsonaro and Lula. 

As Latin America’s biggest economy, Brazil’s politics have an impact on the entire region and – increasingly – on the world stage. More

DW (November 11, 2021): Brazil: Bolsonaro joins Liberal Party ahead of 2022 election: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is required to join a political party to run for reelection. His decision to join the establishment Liberal Party suggests a shift in political strategy for the far-right leader.

Past Americas Elections

Nicaragua General Elections: November 7, 2021

Nicaragua holds general elections on November 7, 2021. President Daniel Ortega, who has been in power for 20 years, sought and won another term after jailing his strongest opponents. Under Ortega’s rule, Nicaragua has become increasingly authoritarian, with rule of law and fundamental freedoms under assault.

Several opposition candidates were arrested before the election, including Cristiana Chamorro, who was seen by many as the opposition’s best chance of ousting Ortega (in fact, her mother, Violeta Chamorro, beat Ortega in the 1990 election, becoming Nicaragua’s first – and to date only – female president and ending 11 years of Sandinista rule).

AP (November 12, 2021): OAS assembly condemns Nicaragua’s election as ‘not free’

Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times (November 10, 2021): The secret-poll watchers of Nicaragua. How they monitored a questionable presidential election

David Luhnow and José de Córdoba, Wall Street Journal (November 9, 2021): Nicaragua’s Shift Toward Dictatorship Is Part of a Latin American Backslide: President Daniel Ortega’s victory is the latest evidence that democracy in the region is unraveling amid waning U.S. influence, political analysts say

Oliver Stuenkel, Carnegie Endowment (November 8, 2021): Nicaragua’s Farcical Election Marks Consolidation of Ortega’s Autocracy

AP (November 8, 2021): Nicaragua’s Ortega decries foes who question his re-election

The White House (November 7, 2021): Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Nicaragua’s Sham Elections

Americas Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Argentina Midterm Legislative Elections: November 14, 2021

Chile Presidential and Legislative Elections: November 21, 2021

Venezuela Regional and Local Elections: November 21, 2021

Honduras Presidential and Legislative Elections: November 28, 2021

Guyana Local Elections: Due in 2021 (delays possible)

Costa Rica Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 6, 2022

Colombia Legislative Elections: March 13, 2022

Colombia Presidential Election: May 29, 2022

Brazil Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2, 2022

Haiti Presidential and Legislative Elections: Delayed from November 7, 2021, no new date set

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Asia

November 12, 2021

A weekly review of key news and analysis of elections in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, usually posted on Fridays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

Fishing boats in Bangladesh. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman (CC BY 3.0)

Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections

Bangladesh Partial Local Elections: November 11 and 28, 2021

Some of Bangladesh’s towns hold local elections in November 2021, which the opposition is boycotting. Bangladesh last held general elections to the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) in December 2018 amid political violence and harassment of the opposition. The next polls are due in December 2022 or early 2023. The Awami League (AL) has been in power since 2009 and is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

On the geopolitical front, Bangladesh has risen in importance in recent years in the midst of high economic growth. More

Julhas Alam, AP (November 10, 2021): 7 killed as Bangladesh votes for rural councils amid boycott

Julhas Alam, AP (November 9, 2021): Awami League Set to Win Vote Boycotted by Rivals: This will enable Bangladesh’s ruling party to consolidate its position ahead of the next general elections slated for 2023.

Malaysia, Melaka State Snap Elections: November 20, 2021

Malaysia will likely call early general elections once the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Meanwhile, several of Malaysia’s states are due to hold elections in the next year. Melaka (or Malacca – located on the Strait of Malacca, a key strategic choke point) will hold snap elections on November 20. In addition, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, is due to hold state elections very shortly after the federal government lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency. In Malaysia’s federal system, state governments have significant powers to make laws for their own states, and the Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah have even more power than the 11 peninsular Malaysian states.

The country’s politics have been turbulent since the historic defeat of UMNO – which had ruled since 1957 – in the 2018 elections. UMNO is back in power but hanging on by a thread as Ismail Sabri Yaakob, from UMNO, became prime minister in August 2021, following protests and general chaos. He replaced Muhyiddin Yassin, who was only in office for 17 months (the shortest-ever tenure of a Malaysian prime minister). More

Hazlin Hassan, Straits Times (November 12, 2021): Melaka poll a test for Anwar and a signal of Malay voter intentions

Alifah Zainuddin, The Diplomat (November 10, 2021): ‘Battle Royale’ Begins for Melaka State Voters: The outcomes of the state polls will allow political parties to chart a clearer course ahead of the 15th General Election, including forming new alliances.

Hong Kong Legislative Elections: December 19, 2021

Hong Kong is holding elections to the Legislative Council on December 19, 2021, after more than a year’s delay. These elections are taking place in the context of Beijing’s determination to gut Hong Kong’s democracy. More

Natalie Wong, South China Morning Press (November 13, 2021): Who wants to be a Hong Kong lawmaker? Can they win over opposition voters? A look at aspiring candidates, from moderates to reformists to staunch loyalists

Oliver Young, China Digital Times (November 10, 2021): Three People Arrested for Sharing Online Appeal to Cast Blank Ballots in Hong Kong Elections

Rhoda Kwan, Hong Kong Free Press (November 9, 2021): ‘Fight for hope:’ democrat enters legislative race along with other non-establishment candidates

Kelly Ho, Hong Kong Free Press (November 8, 2021): Calls to cast invalid votes or boycott election may breach national security law, Hong Kong security chief warns

Matthew Brooker, Bloomberg (November 7, 2021): Hong Kong’s Stage-Managed Election Is Fooling Nobody: The trappings of democracy are important to an authoritarian system. Getting people to go to the polls may be the biggest challenge.

India, State Elections in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand: February/March 2022 (due)

Five Indian states are due to hold elections in early 2022. These elections will be a key test for the two biggest parties, PM Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress Party. Although there have been some concerns about Modi’s increasing authoritarianism, India remains an important partner in combatting China’s attempts to spread its political and economic influence around the world.

Jyotsna Singh and Benjamin Parkin, Financial Times (November 9, 2021): Fertiliser shortage heaps pressure on Modi government ahead of state elections

Ashish Misra, India Today (November 5, 2021): UP Assembly elections: The emerging shape of an opposition alliance

South Korea Presidential Election: March 9, 2022

South Korea holds its presidential election on March 9, 2021. Recently, the conservative opposition won special mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan by a landslide, just a year after President Moon Jae-in’s center-left Democratic Party swept the legislature. Moreover, Moon’s approval rating is tanking.

AP (November 12, 2021): S. Korean candidate takes tough line on North’s nuclear program: Yoon Suk Yeol stressed the need to boost cooperation with Washington and Japan to make up for South Korea’s relative lack of ability to monitor North Korea’s advancing nuclear program.

Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith, Reuters (November 10, 2021): China looms large as S.Korea presidential hopefuls meet U.S. diplomat

Jong Eun Lee, The National Interest (November 9, 2021): South Korea’s Presidential Candidates Offer Contrasting Visions For Foreign Policy

Jon Herskovitz, Bloomberg (November 8, 2021): Conservatives Start South Korea Campaign With Support at Record

Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post (November 8, 2021): Long before ‘Squid Game,’ South Korea filmmakers elevated the underdog

Mitch Shin, The Diplomat (November 5, 2021): Yoon Seok-youl Wins People Power Party’s Presidential Primary

Philippines Presidential Election: May 9, 2022

Philippines holds a presidential election on May 9, 2022. In 2016, populist firebrand Rodrigo Duterte won the presidency, claiming to be an outsider. He has governed with an iron fist. Although he is banned from seeking a second term, critics fear that he will seek to consolidate illiberalism in the form of a handpicked successor. His daughter, Sara Duterte, will run for vice president as the running mate of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the notorious late former dictator.

Meanwhile, a broad coalition of opposition figures have formed 1Sambayan (One Nation) in the hopes of defeating Duterte’s allies with a united front. Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, a former Duterte ally, had been discussed as a possible presidential candidate for 1Sambayan, but the alliance ultimately decided to endorse current vice president Leni Robredo.

While the Philippines lacks significant hard power, it is located in a geopolitically crucial area. The country has been a key U.S. ally since World War II, but Duterte has flirted with moves to bring the Philippines closer to China and away from the United States during his tenure in office. However, the country has ultimately kept the defense pact with the U.S. in tact.

Reuters (November 12, 2021): Philippines election: Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter Sara to run for vice-president

Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema, Reuters (November 11, 2021): Philippines president’s daughter joins new party as election deadline nears

Dominic Ziegler, The Economist (November 8, 2021): The Philippine opposition tries to push back against authoritarianism

Inquirer Philippines (November 6, 2021): Bongbong Marcos to face more disqualification cases

Raissa Robles, South China Morning Post (November 5, 2021): Philippine presidential race: why Bongbong’s bid may be sunk by a law his dictator father Ferdinand Marcos Snr made in the 1970s

Cambodia Local Elections: June 5, 2022 and Parliamentary Elections: July 2023 (due)

Cambodia is due to hold local elections in 2022 and general elections in 2023. Although Cambodia has held elections in the past that had some element of competition, the 2018 election – neither free nor fair – signified the closing of Cambodia’s political space. They have been called “the death of democracy.”

The main pro-democracy opposition, Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), was dissolved and banned from fielding candidates, and its leader, Sam Rainsy, was sent into exile, so its supporters boycotted the polls, resulting in the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) taking 58 out of 62 seats in parliament, and allowing Prime Minister Hun Sen to consolidate even more power while extending his three decades in power.

Radio Free Asia (November 12, 2021): Cambodian authorities release labor union leader in surprise move: Rong Chhun and two activists were set free in what analysts say as a bid to improve Cambodia’s image.

Daphne Psaledakis and David Lawder, Reuters (November 10, 2021): U.S. issues Cambodia corruption advisory, sanctions officials over navy base

Past Asia/Pacific Elections

Japan General Elections: October 31, 2021

Japan held general elections on October 31, a bit earlier than the November deadline. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has dominated Japanese politics since 1955, won another term in office, despite somewhat decreased approval ratings in recent months.

These elections follow the LDP’s September 29 leadership contest. Former prime minister Yoshihide Suga did not seek re-election. Foreign minister Fumio Kishida defeated vaccine czar Kono Taro in a runoff, as well as the hawkish former internal affairs minister Takaichi Sanae and former gender equality minister Noda Seiko.

William Sospato, Foreign Policy (November 11, 2021): Japan’s Foreign Minister Faces Tough Calls on China: Yoshimasa Hayashi breaks the pattern of factional appointments.

Kana Inagaki, Financial Times (November 10, 2021): Japanese PM Kishida appoints pro-China ally as foreign minister: Yoshimasa Hayashi also expected to deepen US links and adopt more assertive regional role, analysts say

Titli Basu, The Diplomat (November 10, 2021): Previewing India-Japan Ties Under PM Kishida: Back in 2015, then-Foreign Minister Kishida helped shaped the India-Japan Indo-Pacific Vision 2025. Where do ties stand today?

Mari Yamaguchi, AP (November 10, 2021): Kishida reelected Japan’s prime minister in parliamentary vote

Jon Herskovitz, Bloomberg (November 8, 2021): Japan Premier Picks China Critic to Be Human Rights Adviser

Burma General Elections: November 8, 2020

Burma, also called Myanmar, held general elections on November 8, 2020. Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won in a landslide. However, on February 1, the military staged a coup, claiming election fraud (despite a lack of evidence). Protests against the coup continue. The military claims it will hold new elections by 2023. More

Ye Mio Hein, The Irrawaddy (November 11, 2021): Myanmar’s Transition From Electoral Politics to Gun Politics

Voice of America (November 8, 2021): Top US Diplomat Calls for Return to ‘Genuine and Inclusive Democracy’ in Myanmar

Dominic Pino, National Review (November 7, 2021): Why Baptists Care about Burma

Asia/Pacific Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Bangladesh Partial Local Elections: November 11 and 28, 2021

Tonga General Elections: November 18, 2021

Malaysia, Melaka State Snap Elections: November 20, 2021

New Caledonia Independence Referendum: December 12, 2021

Taiwan Referendum: December 18, 2021

Hong Kong Legislative Council Elections: December 19, 2021

Bhutan Local Elections: December 22, 2021

Timor-Leste Municipal Elections: 2021 (due)

Sri Lanka Early Provincial Elections: Late 2021 (proposed)

Nepal Parliamentary Elections: January 2022 (due)

India, State Elections in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand: February/March 2022 (due)

South Korea Presidential Election: March 9, 2022

Timor-Leste Presidential Election: March 2022 (due)

Nepal Local Elections: April or May 2022 (due)

Philippines Presidential and Legislative Elections: May 9, 2022

Australia Parliamentary Elections: May 2022 (due – snap elections possible)

Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Elections: June 2022 (due)

Cambodia Local Elections: June 5, 2022

Nauru Parliamentary Elections: August 2022 (due)

India, State Elections in Himachal Pradesh: October 2022 (due)

Fiji Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)

Taiwan Local Elections: November 2022 (due)

India, State Elections in Gujarat: December 2022 (due)

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Eurasia

November 11, 2021

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Eurasia, usually posted on Thursdays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

Statue of Shota Rustaveli (c. 1160-c.1220), Georgia’s national poet, in his home city of Rustavi. Georgians have been protesting local election results and the imprisonment of former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Zviad Avaliani

Upcoming Eurasia Elections

Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Elections Take 2: November 28, 2021

Kyrgyzstan will hold parliamentary elections on November 28, 2021 – a re-run of the parliamentary elections that took place in October 2020. Those elections and allegations of fraud led to political turmoil, followed by a snap presidential election in January 2021 and a constitutional referendum (alongside local elections) in April 2021. The new constitution, which passed, grants the president vastly expanded powers. Its critics have dubbed it the “Khanstitution.” The political climate was tense heading into the October 2020 parliamentary elections. It subsequently exploded following said elections. More

RFE/RL (November 10, 2021): Kyrgyz University Teachers, Students Protest Rector’s Removal Over Election Campaign

Bermet Talant, Eurasianet (November 10, 2021): Kyrgyzstan: President’s allies dominate parliamentary race: The four parties friendliest to President Sadyr Japarov have spent more than all 17 other parties combined.

Bruce Pannier, RFE/RL (November 5, 2021): Kyrgyzstan’s Plucky Election Commission Tries To Disqualify A Political Heavyweight

Past Eurasia Elections

Georgia Local Election Runoffs: October 30, 2021

Georgia held local elections on October 2, 2021 in a tense political climate, exacerbated by the arrest of former president Mikheil Saakashvili upon his return to the country on the eve of the vote. Runoffs will take place on October 30, including for the important role of mayor of Tbilisi, which the ruling Georgian Dream party failed to win in the first round. Ultimately, Georgian Dream did win the second round amid criticism from the opposition. 

A recent uptick in violence against the LGBT community and journalists, perpetrated by far-right and pro-Kremlin forces, has fueled the wider debate about where Georgia is going, both culturally and geopolitically. More

RFE/RL (November 10, 2021): Dozens Of Georgian Demonstrators Arrested As Saakashvili Goes On Trial

JAMnews (November 8, 2021): Saakashvili’s release and early elections: perpetual mass protest announced in Tbilisi

Makhare Atchaidze and The Caucasus Datablog, OC Media (November 8, 2021): What issues do Georgians think about when voting?

Dato Parulava and Lukas Kotkamp, Politico (November 6, 2021): Georgia’s political protests explained

Amy Mackinnon, Foreign Policy (November 5, 2021): How Do You Solve a Problem Like Misha? Former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s hunger strike is a test case for Georgia’s trembling democracy.

Uzbekistan Presidential Election: October 24, 2021

Uzbekistan held a presidential election on October 24, 2021. Elections in Uzbekistan are neither free nor fair, and political opposition is not able to operate freely in the country. Although some had hoped that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev would face a serious challenger this year, that did not happen. Instead, would-be challengers were either denied ballot access or dropped out. More

Catherine Putz, The Diplomat (November 9, 2021): The Old Ways Are Still Alive in New Uzbekistan: In entering a new term by suggesting constitutional reform, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is following in the path of his dictatorial predecessor.

Soso Dzamukashvili, Emerging Europe (November 8, 2021): ‘No contest’ election over, it’s time for Uzbekistan to speed up reform

Eurasianet (November 5, 2021): Uzbekistan: Will transparency trump cronyism as Tashkent woos investors?

Russia Parliamentary Elections: September 17-19, 2021

Russia held parliamentary elections September 17-19, 2021. Russian elections are neither free nor fair. Nonetheless, the opposition has been making some gains in recent regional elections, helped by opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s “Smart Vote,” a campaign of tactical voting, in which they developed a list of candidates the best chance of beating Vladimir Putin’s United Russia.

Consequently, the Kremlin launched a brutal crackdown on the opposition, including imprisoning Navalny. Candidates who have worked with Navalny or supported him were banned from the election. Only one genuine opposition party – the liberal Yabloko – was able to field candidates. 

Moreover, international technology companies such as Google and Apple assisted the regime by removing apps associated with Navalny’s Smart Vote. More

Nicole Gaouette, Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood and Jim Sciutto, CNN (November 10, 2021): Blinken says US is concerned Russia may be ‘attempting to rehash’ 2014 invasion of Ukraine

Arkady Ostrovsky, The Economist (November 8, 2021): Vladimir Putin will renew his attacks on elections and the internet

Moldova Snap Parliamentary Elections: July 11, 2021

Moldova held snap parliamentary elections on July 11, which pro-Europe center-right president Maia Sandu had been trying to call for months because in Moldova’s parliamentary system, a legislative majority is necessary to execute on any policy agenda. Prior to these elections, no party had a clear majority in parliament (and Sandu’s allies were outnumbered by pro-Russian parties), leading to political instability. Sandu’s allies ended up winning in a landslide.

Sandu herself trounced pro-Kremlin leftist Igor Dodon, who had been the incumbent, in the November 2020 presidential election, after losing narrowly to him in 2016. More

Madalin Necsutu, Balkan Insight (November 11, 2021): Moldova President Was Wiretapped by Former Regime, Papers Show

Belarus Presidential Election: August 9, 2020

Belarus held a presidential election on August 9, 2020. In a vote widely deemed not free and not fair, incumbent Alexander Lukashenko declared victory. However, the opposition declared that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya had in fact won. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have taken to the streets in protest to demand free and fair elections, even in the face of assault and arrest by security forces. Protests and political defiance continue. More

Jake Rudnitsky and Aliaksandr Kudrytski, Bloomberg (November 9, 2021): Why Turmoil in Belarus Is Spilling Over Its Borders

Belsat (November 4, 2021): Interpol will not search for Tsikhanouskaya

Geopolitical Competition

Lindsey Kennedy and Paul Nathan Southern, Foreign Policy (November 7, 2021): Central Asia Is Turning Back to Moscow: With the United States off the scene, Russia is more appealing than China.

Eurasia Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Armenia Partial Local Elections: November 14 and December 5, 2021

Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Elections Take 2: November 28, 2021

Belarus Constitutional Referendum: By February 2022 (proposed)

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.

Europe

November 10, 2021

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Europe, usually posted on Wednesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week. For a full electoral calendar and interactive map, click here.

The Sofia public mineral baths, a landmark in Bulgaria’s capital. Bulgaria holds its third set of parliamentary elections this month. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Bin im Garten (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Upcoming Europe Elections

Bulgaria Parliamentary Elections, Take 3 and Presidential Election: November 14, 2021

Bulgaria is holding a presidential election on November 14 along with a third set of parliamentary elections since no government was formed following the July 11 elections (themselves the result of no government being formed following the original elections on April 4). In Bulgaria’s parliamentary system, the prime minister holds executive power, while the president is largely ceremonial.

In the April polls, PM Boyko Borissov’s center-right GERB won the most seats, but lost ground and failed to win a majority. New parties running against the establishment did surprisingly well – in fact,  a party called There Is Such a People (ITN), led by TV star Stanislav Trifonov, came in second and ruled out forming a coalition with GERB. Trifonov’s main platform was anti-corruption – indeed, corruption was the biggest issue in the election. 

In the July elections, Trifonov’s ITN surpassed GERB to win the most seats, but not enough for a majority. ITN was not able to form a government, and the Socialists refused. Therefore, Bulgarians will head to the polls for a third time. More

Alice Taylor and Krassen Nikolov, Euractiv (November 11, 2021): Bulgarian elections set to determine Western Balkan enlargement

AFP (November 10, 2021): Harvard-educated duo vies for power in Bulgaria

Euractiv (November 9, 2021): Bulgaria received pre-election discount from Gazprom

Cyprus, Northern Cyprus Snap Elections: January 22, 2022

Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey, could hold snap elections soon following the resignation of the government. In last year’s presidential election, Ankara-backed nationalist Ersin Tatar won, exacerbating tensions on the island.

Hurriyet Daily News (November 9, 2021): North Cyprus to go to early polls in January

Portugal Snap Elections: January 30, 2022

Portugal will hold snap elections on January 30, following the government’s defeat in a crucial budget vote.

The two main parties, center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) and leftist Socialist Party (PS), regularly alternate in power. In the 2015 parliamentary elections, PSD won a plurality of seats and briefly formed a minority government, which collapsed after less than two months. PS leader Antonio Costa formed a left-wing coalition and became prime minister. In the 2019 elections, the Socialists won again, but did not get a majority. Subsequently, Costa formed a minority government. 

Catarina Demony and Sergio Goncalves, Reuters (November 4, 2021): Portugal heads to polls on Jan. 30, political stability fades

Italy Indirect Presidential Election: Begins January 4, 2022

John Hooper, Reuters (November 8, 2021): Will Mario Draghi run to be Italy’s president? Or will he remain as prime minister?

Hungary Parliamentary Elections: By Spring 2022 (or earlier)

Hungary is due to hold parliamentary elections by Spring 2022, although snap elections are possible. Prime Minster Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party has become increasingly authoritarian, to the concern of many both in Hungary and in the international community. Moreover, Orbán’s increasingly close ties to Russia and China have become a concern for many Hungarian voters.

A number of opposition parties recently held a primary to field a single candidate for prime minister. Ultimately, conservative Péter Márki-Zay, mayor of the southern city of Hódmezővásárhely, won the second round, defeating leftist Klára Dobrev, after liberal Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony – who had been seen as a favorite – dropped out and endorsed Márki-Zay.

Marton Dunai and Ben Hall, Financial Times (November 10, 2021): Hungary opposition leader vows ‘regime change’ if Orban defeated: Peter Marki-Zay says new government would seek referendum on changing constitution

Zoltan Simon, Bloomberg (November 9, 2021): Orban Locks In Prosecutor Ally Before Close Hungary Election

Vendeline Von Bredow, The Economist (November 8, 2021): Could Viktor Orban be voted out of office? To widespread surprise, the opposition have united around one candidate

France Presidential Election: April 10 and 24, 2022, followed by Legislative Elections: June 12 and 19, 2022

France holds presidential and legislative elections in spring 2022. These follow the June 2021 regional elections, in which the far-right failed to make gains that had been predicted by pre-election polls. The regional elections put the center-right Republicans in a stronger position to challenge President Emmanuel Macron.

Meanwhile, while many had predicted a rematch between Macron and the far-right Marine Le Pen, whom Macron defeated in 2017, it is becoming increasingly unclear who will make it to the second round (if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote on April 10, the top two face off in a runoff on April 24). The rise of far-right media personality Éric Zemmour, who is often compared to Donald Trump, could take support away from Le Pen. Meanwhile, the center-right Les Républicans will hold a congress to select their candidate. The Socialists have already held their primary, which was won by Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.

John Leicester, AP (November 10, 2021): Without saying so, France’s Macron launching re-election bid

Colm Quinn, Foreign Policy (November 10, 2021): Zemmour Rises in French Polls: The far-right pundit has jumped to second place in polls ahead of April’s French presidential election

Andy Bounds and Victor Mallet, Financial Times (November 10, 2021): France slows EU trade deals with New Zealand and Chile until after election

Voice of America (November 9, 2021): US Vice President in France to Ease Tensions with Long-standing Ally

Rod McGuirk, AP (November 3, 2021): France says Australia hits ‘new low’ leaking Macron texts

Sweden Parliamentary Elections: September 11, 2022

Sweden’s next elections are not due until September 2022, but in June 2021, the left-leaning coalition led by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven fell in a no-confidence vote. Lofven was re-elected PM, but could fall in yet another no-confidence vote if his government cannot pass a budget. In August, Lofven suddenly announced his resignation, effective in November. Magdalena Andersson, currently the finance minister, looks likely to succeed him and become Sweden’s first female prime minister.

Charlie Duxbury, Politico (November 10, 2021): Stefan Löfven officially resigns, opening door to Sweden’s first female prime minister

AFP (November 4, 2021): Sweden’s Social Democrats elect Magdalena Andersson as leader

Past Europe Elections

North Macedonia Local Elections: October 17, 2021

North Macedonia held local elections on October 17, 2021 which delivered a landslide victory for the opposition VMRO-DPMNE. These follow par liamentary elections in July 2020. Following a historic agreement with Greece, and a name change, North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020 and is currently in talks to join the EU (although now Bulgaria is trying to hold that up).

The country’s politics are fragmented and fractious. The 2020 elections were extremely close, but ultimately PM Zoran Zaev and his Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) were able to once again form a government with the backing of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the main ethnic Albanian party (ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter of the population). SDSM also controlled most of the municipalities heading into the local elections, having beaten the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE in a majority of municipalities and ousting the VMRO-DMPNE mayor of Skopje.

RFE/RL (November 10, 2021): North Macedonia’s PM Delays Resignation

Reuters (November 8, 2021): N.Macedonia’s opposition parties file no-confidence motion against government

Valentina Dimitrievska, bne Intellinews (November 8, 2021): Political earthquake follows local elections in North Macedonia

Aleksandar Samardjiev, Observatorio Balcani (November 5, 2021): Local elections in North Macedonia, the impact on the central government

Zeljko Trkanjec, Euractiv (November 4, 2021): North Macedonia opposition party calls for early elections

Czech Republic Parliamentary Elections: October 8-9, 2021

The Czech Republic held parliamentary elections October 8-9, 2021. The current prime minister, controversial billionaire Andrej Babiš, came to power following the 2017 parliamentary elections. His populist ANO party won a plurality, but not majority, of seats, and he has had a turbulent tenure in office. Ultimately, an opposition coalition of the center-right and the center-left Pirates narrowly defeated Babis and are expected to form the next government. More

Euronews with AP (November 9, 2021): Centre-right parties sign coalition deal to form new Czech government

Chris Thomson, Foreign Brief (November 8, 2021): Czech Republic’s parliament to reconvene for first time since elections

Siegfried Mortkowitz, Politico (November 5, 2021): Czech president confirms PM Andrej Babiš is heading for the exit: Petr Fiala is set to be new head of government, says Miloš Zeman in interview from hospital.

Germany Bundestag Elections: September 26, 2021 (plus state elections throughout the year)

Germany held several sets of elections next year, culminating in the September 26, 2021 federal parliamentary elections that will determine who succeeds Angela Merkel as chancellor. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), headed by Olaf Scholz, placed first, with 25.7 percent of the vote. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), along with its Bavarian partner Christian Social Union (CSU), suffered a historic defeat in these elections, placing second with 24.1 percent of the vote, possibly due to the personal unpopularity of its standard-bearer, Armin Laschet, who made a series of gaffes during the campaign.

A big story during the election was the rise of the Greens, who even topped opinion polls at various points, but ultimately placed third. They portrayed themselves as responsible and mainstream, choosing pragmatist Annalena Baerbock as their standard-bearer. Finally, the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) placed fourth, with 11 percent of the vote, after five years of having no seats in the Bundestag (since FDP failed to meet the 5 percent threshold in the 2017 elections).

Since another “grand coalition” between CDU/CSU and SPD – the current government – is unlikely for a variety of reasons, the next government will most likely consist of three parties. It could either be a “Jamaica coalition” of CDU/CSU, FDP, and the Greens, or a “traffic light coalition” consisting of SPD, plus FDP and the Greens. The Greens and FDP are holding talks with one another before negotiating with either CDU/CSU or SPD, and reaching any sort of deal could take months.

Tom Nuttall, The Economist (November 8, 2021): A new coalition government will try to find its feet in Germany

Sabine Kinkartz, DW (November 8, 2021): SPD selects new leadership with demonstrative harmony

AP (November 5, 2021): German Greens see slow progress in talks on new government

Guy Chazan, Financial Times (November 4, 2021): German arguments over next finance minister echo beyond its borders: Liberal Christian Lindner is the favourite for a powerful role that shapes policy across Europe

Romania Parliamentary Elections: December 6, 2020

Romania held parliamentary elections on December 6. Amid low turnout due partly to COVID-19, the scandal-plagued leftist Social Democrats (PSD) unexpectedly came in first place. However, a coalition of parties formed a center-right government, headed by Florin Cîțu from the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL). More

Andrei Chirileasa, Romania Insider (November 10, 2021): New ruling partners in Romania hope to have Govt. ready by Nov 18

Orlando Crowcroft, Euronews (November 9, 2021): Romania’s two biggest parties will begin talks to end political crisis

Madalin Necsutu, Balkan Insight (November 8, 2021): Romanian Parties Splash State Cash on Media and PR

Europe Elections Coming Up in 2021 and 2022

Bulgaria Presidential Election: November 14, 2021

Kosovo Local Election Runoffs: November 14, 2021 (following October 17 first round)

Denmark Regional and Municipal Elections: November 16, 2021

Italy Indirect Presidential Election: January 4, 2022

Cyprus, Northern Cyprus Snap Elections: January 22, 2022

Finland County Elections: January 23, 2022

Portugal Snap Parliamentary Elections: January 30, 2022

Serbia Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: April 3, 2022

France Presidential Election: April 10 and 24, 2022

Austria Presidential Election: April 2022 (due)

Hungary Parliamentary Elections: April 2022 (due)

Slovenia Parliamentary Elections: By June 5, 2022

France Legislative Elections: June 12 and 19, 2022

Malta Parliamentary Elections: June 2022 (due – snap elections possible)

Sweden Parliamentary Elections: September 11, 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2022 (due)

Latvia Parliamentary Elections: October 2022 (due)

Slovenia Presidential Election: October/November 2022 (due)

21votes does not necessarily agree with all of the opinions expressed in the linked articles; rather, our goal is to curate a wide range of voices. Furthermore, none of the individuals or organizations referenced have reviewed 21votes’ content. That is to say, their inclusion should not be taken to imply that they endorse us in any way. More on our approach here.