Middle East

January 25, 2022

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.

The Mansouri Great Mosque – dating from the 13th century – in Tripoli, Lebanon. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Heretiq (CC BY-SA 2.5)

Upcoming Middle East Elections

Libya Parliamentary and Presidential Elections: Delayed from December 2021 – could possibly happen by June 2022

Libya’s national elections are overdue and have been postponed due to the political crisis and civil war. Most recently, the country missed the scheduled date of December 24, 2021 for the polls, and it is unclear when they will happen. The UN has urged elections by June 2022.

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

It wasn’t a surprise that Libya’s elections were postponed…
As the elections approached, fundamental rules over presidential powers, who was allowed to be a candidate, & election enforcement mechanisms remained unclear.https://t.co/f9ROVWwjf2

— Atlantic Council Middle East Initiatives (@ACMideast) January 25, 2022

Jacob Mundy, The Conversation (January 25, 2022): A decade later, no end in sight for Libya’s political transition

Francesco Bongarrà, Arab News (January 25, 2022): Libya should hold elections as soon as possible, avoid ‘new transitional phase’: Italy

Reuters (January 24, 2022): Libyan parliament committee urges change of interim PM: Committee also says it would take at least nine months to prepare for a new election to avoid fraud and ensure security.

AFP (January 23, 2022): Libyan PM wants constitution before elections

Palestinian Authority Local Elections Phase 2: March 26, 2022 and General Elections: Long Overdue

The Palestinian Authority is holding elections in two phases, the first of which took place on December 11, 2021, and the second of which is due on March 26, 2022. 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 17 of a four-year term. Similarly, the last Legislative Council elections took place in 2006. 

Hamas, which controls Gaza, did not allow the local elections to take place there in December and has said it will also bar the March elections.

Jehad Barakat, Al Jazeera (January 25, 2022): Why is the Palestinian Authority cracking down on opposition?

Khaled Abu Toameh, Jerusalem Post (January 24, 2022): The Ramallah ‘gentleman’ who could become PA president

Mohammad Al-Kassim, The Media Line (January 19, 2022): Abbas Reelected Fatah Leader and Eyes More Mandates in Next PLO Meeting

Lebanon Parliamentary Elections: May 15, 2022

Lebanon has set parliamentary elections for May 15, 2022. 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, with its currency hitting record lows and crippling inflation.

Many Lebanese people are in a state of despair, but some have hope that the upcoming elections could bring a hint of change.

🚨Former PM Saad Hariri announces his and his party withdrawal from political life.

His Future Movement is Lebanon's largest Sunni party. This creates a power vacuum that could ultimately see the elections delayed amid a deep financial crisis. https://t.co/dYD5AkvipC

— Mia Alberti (@mialberti) January 24, 2022

Tamara Qiblawi, CNN (January 24, 2022): Lebanon’s Hariri withdraws from politics, leaving sectarian vacuum behind

Ben Hubbard, New York Times (January 24, 2022): Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s Former Prime Minister, Quits Politics: He was the leader of the country’s Sunni Muslims, one of the three main sects that share power, and the scion of a prominent political dynasty.

Tunisia Constitutional Referendum: July 15, 2022 and Early Legislative Elections: December 17, 2022

Tunisia will hold a constitutional referendum and early elections in 2022, following protests sparked by President Kais Saied’s dismissal of the government, a move some deemed a coup.

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.

Political and civil society actors hope that the early elections can return Tunisia to a democratic path.

Nisan Ahmado, Polygraph.info (January 25, 2022): More ‘Guaranteed’ Freedom Than Ever in Tunisia? Not So Much

Al Jazeera (January 24, 2022): Tunisia president’s top aide quits over ‘fundamental differences’: Nadia Akacha has been described as President Saied’s closest and most trusted adviser.

Africanews (January 21, 2022): Tunisia President denies country is returning to authoritarianism

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 ultimately reversed course and urged his followers to support the elections. He subsequently proceeded to win the elections. However, other parties – specifically, pro-Iran Shi’ite parties – challenged the election results. The Supreme Court rejected the challenge, and Sadr, who opposes both Iranian and American influence in Iraqi politics – will be the kingmaker in the new government. More 

Sinan Mahmoud, The National UAE (January 25, 2022): Iraqi court rejects bid to annul outcomes of first parliamentary session

Al-Monitor (January 22, 2022): Islamic State escalates violence across Baghdad Belt: Terrorist attacks increase as Iraq continues government formation process.

Afghanistan Presidential Election: September 28, 2019

Afghanistan held its last presidential election on September 28, 2019. Ashraf Ghani ultimately won re-election in a very tense vote and a tense four months in between the election and the final declaration of results, defeating his main rival, Abdullah Abdullan. The election took place amid attacks by the Taliban, which had ordered Afghans not to vote.

Following the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of much of the country, the future of Afghan politics remains uncertain.

Kathy Gannon, AP (January 20, 2022): Taliban storm Kabul apartment, arrest activist, her sisters

David Zucchino and Yaqoob Akbary, New York Times (January 24, 2022): Threatened and Beaten, Afghan Women Defy Taliban With Protests

Middle East Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Libya Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: Overdue (delayed from December 24, 2021 – additional delays possible)

Palestinian Authority Local Elections Phase 2: March 26, 2022

Lebanon Parliamentary Elections: May 15, 2022

Tunisia Constitutional Referendum: July 25, 2022

Bahrain Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)

Tunisia Early Legislative Elections: December 17, 2022

Turkey Presidential and Legislative Elections: By June 18, 2023

Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Parliamentary Elections: September 2023

Pakistan General Elections: By October 12, 2023

Israel Local Elections: October 2023

Oman Consultative Assembly Elections: October 2023

United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Elections: October 2023 (indirect elections, advisory body with limited powers)

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

January 24, 2022

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.

The city of Ziguinchor, Senegal. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Ji-Elle (public domain)

Upcoming Africa Elections

Somalia, Indirect Legislative Elections: Due, Indirect Presidential Election: By February 25, 2022 (tentative – preceded by indirect legislative elections)

Somalia does not hold direct elections, but rather holds indirect elections in a clan-based system. Currently, parties have agreed to complete the process by February 25, 2022, delayed from February 8, 2021, but are unlikely to meet the deadline. 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.

An ongoing conflict between Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and continual election delays are exacerbating the country’s instability. Legislative election are underway, but proceeding slowly, and will unlikely be complete in time to meet the February 25 deadline for the presidential election.

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

10 days since I published the original election map (see the pinned tweet),28 MPs elected. See the updated map! At this rate, 3 MPs a day, the deadline is unlikely to be met! #Somalia pic.twitter.com/vypoLbHPoU

— Abdi Barud (@AbdiBarud) January 25, 2022

Mohamed Olad Hassan, Voice of America (January 22, 2022): Reporter’s Notebook: Somali Journalist-Turned-Politician Survives Fifth Suicide Attack

Abdulkadir Khalif, The East African (January 21, 2022): Somalia resumes parliamentary elections following deal

Gambia Legislative and Local Elections: April 9, 2022

Gambia has scheduled legislative and local elections for April 9, 2022. These follow the December 2021 presidential election, the first 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 2016’s surprising election result, then-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. Jammeh sought to influence this election from exile (he is currently in Equatorial Guinea). Although Jammeh and Barrow had previously made a controversial pre-election deal, they abandoned it and Jammeh ultimately called on voters to oust Barrow, who nonetheless won re-election by a large margin. Even though international observers and Gambian civil society organizations have called the 2021 presidential election credible, some opposition candidates are challenging the results. More

Africanews with AFP (January 20, 2022): Gambia’s Barrow sworn in for second presidential term

The Point (January 18, 2022): Gambia: IEC Announces Date for Legislative Election

Burkina Faso Local Elections: May 2022 (delays likely following coup) and Presidential and Legislative Elections: Possible, following coup

Burkina Faso is due to hold local elections in May 2022, but delays are likely due to the growing security crisis and recent coup.

On January 24, 2022, a group of soldiers detained President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, dissolved the legislature, and declared that a military junta would control the country moving forward. This coup (which follows coups in nearby Guinea, Chad, and Mali) plunges the country’s political future into even greater uncertainty. Burkina Faso avoided an earlier coup attempt, and some analysts believed that a successful coup was only a matter of time given simmering discontent with Kabore’s handling of the jihadist threat and other issues.

Captain Sidsore Kaber Ouedraogo of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (the name the junta has given itself) says new elections will take place in the future, but has not specified a date. More

Dave Lawler, Axios (January 24, 2022): Soldiers seize power in Burkina Faso as global coup surge continues

Sam Mednick, AP (January 24, 2022): Soldiers say military junta now controls Burkina Faso

Kenya General Elections: August 9, 2022

Kenya is due to hold general elections on August 9, 2022. The last elections, in August 2017, were disputed, and the presidential poll was re-run in October 2017. President Uhuru Kenyatta won re-election after opposition leader Raila Odinga encouraged his supporters to boycott the re-run. Kenyan politics is highly polarized with a strong ethnic component.

Because of the crises in neighboring Ethiopia and Somalia, Kenya plays an important role in the region. In addition, Kenya has been an important partner to the United States and other countries on counterterrorism.

Stratfor (January 24, 2022): What’s at Stake in Kenya’s 2022 Presidential Election

Son Gatitu, The Africa Report (January 20, 2022): Kenya: What’s next for William Ruto as he hits polling plateau?

AFP (January 18, 2022): Kenya’s top court reviews disputed bid to change constitution

Angola Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 2022

Angola holds presidential and legislative elections in August 2022. The country has not to date held free elections. The People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a former armed group, has been in power since since independence in 1975. For 38 years, the MPLA’s José Eduardo Dos Santos ruled Angola with an iron fist. His regime engaged in rampant corruption and kleptocracy. Dos Santos’s successor, João Lourenço, has enacted some reforms and sought to curtail corruption, but many issues remain. Moreover, local elections (the country’s first) have been delayed repeatedly, at times sparking protests. The political climate remains tense.

MPLA’s vote share has been steadily decreasing with each successive election: it received 81 percent of the vote in 2008, 72 percent in 2012, and 61 percent in 2017. For the upcoming elections, the three main opposition parties will back a single presidential candidate: Adalberto Costa Junior, leader of UNITA, the main opposition party.

Angola is one of the biggest oil producers in Africa. More

Borralho Ndomba, DW (January 19, 2022 – in Portuguese): Angola: MPLA rejects dialogue with those who “do not respect institutions”: The opposition once again asked for a dialogue with the President of the Republic, but the ruling party, the MPLA, is against it.

Somaliland Presidential Election: November 13, 2022

Somaliland plans to hold a presidential election on November 13, 2022, following long-delayed parliamentary and local elections that finally took place on May 31, 2021. In those elections, the two main opposition parties, Waddani and UCID, together won more seats in parliament than the governing Kulmiye party. Waddani and UCID will team up to choose a parliament speaker and on local councils (where they also won). Somaliland is a presidential system, so there’s no PM. But it is significant for democracy that the opposition won the “midterms.”

President Muse Bihi Abdi from Kulmiye is eligible to seek a second term in 2022.

Somaliland has de facto but not internationally-recognized independence from Somalia, and has a much more developed democracy, with direct elections. It is located on the Bab el-Mandeb, a strait through which most oil and gas from the Persian Gulf – and a lot of other international commerce – transits. Thus the geopolitical stakes are high. More

Matthew Gordon, The Conversation (January 21, 2022): Somaliland’s quest for recognition: UK debate offers hint of a sea change

Chad Elections: By December 2022 (tentative, post-coup)

Chad held a presidential election on April 11, 2021. President Idriss Déby, seized power in a rebellion in 1990, won a sixth term. However, on April 20, he was killed by rebels while fighting on the front lines. His son, 37-year-old General Mahamat Déby, declared himself interim leader, backed by the military. He dissolved parliament and promised elections within 18 months, by December 2022. However, it is unclear when the elections will actually happen.

Although the country holds elections, there has never been a change in power by a free or fair vote, and elections are riven by lengthy delays, violence, and fraud. More

Mahamat Ramadane, Reuters (January 19, 2022): Chad frees rebels ahead of national peace-building talks

Zimbabwe General Elections: July 2023 (due)

Zimbabwe is due to hold elections in 2023. These will be the second since the 2017 coup that led to the fall of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s longtime dictator, who left a legacy of gross economic mismanagement and political repression. However, democracy continues to face many challenges in Zimbabwe, and the current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, continues to govern in an authoritarian, repressive manner.

AFP (January 24, 2022): Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader changes party name

Michelle Gavin, Council on Foreign Relations (January 20, 2022): Identity Crisis Undermines Zimbabwean Opposition: Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party finds itself fighting for survival amid a slew of legal challenges.

Tafi Mhaka, Al Jazeera (January 19, 2022): It’s time for the SADC region to hold Zimbabwe to account: It is not foreign powers that are keeping Zimbabwe in a permanent state of crisis, but its own government.

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. Civil servant and diplomat Abdalla Hamdok became prime minister.

However, another coup in October 2021 returned Sudan to military rule. Hamdok resigned. Protests continue and the country’s political future remains uncertain.

Mohanad Hashim, BBC (January 24, 2022): Sudan protesters: Ready to die for freedom

Al Jazeera (January 24, 2022): Sudan security forces kill three anti-coup protesters: Medics – Deaths bring to 76 the number of protesters killed in a crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations, the medics say.

Wini Omer, openDemocracy (January 21, 2022): Sudan’s revolution enters its second phase: disrupting the state

Mali Presidential and Legislative Elections: Delayed to December 2025

Mali has set presidential and legislative elections for February 27, 2022, following the August 2020 coup, but the interim government has proposed a delay to December 2025, sparking a backlash from neighboring countries and the international community.

In the coup, soldiers removed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (who has since died at age 76, having been in poor health for years), dissolved parliament (which had just been elected in April, in elections marred by fraud and intimidation) and established a transitional government.

On May 25, 2021, 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 proposed delaying the elections to December 2025, sparking the threat of sanctions from the regional bloc ECOWAS. France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, has called the interim government illegitimate, and the international community has condemned its failure to make progress against the jihadist threat that plages the Sahel.

Kemo Cham, The East African (January 22, 2022): Defiant Mali junta banks on mass public support to beat Ecowas ban

AFP (January 21, 2022): US army confirms Russian mercenaries in Mali

Al Jazeera (January 21, 2022): Mali holds state ceremony for ex-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

France24 (January 20, 2022): France mulls ending military support for Mali as relations with junta worsen

Bate Felix, Reuters (January 18, 2022): ‘We don’t want to isolate Mali’, EU envoy says despite sanctions plan

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

Sharnam Vaswani, Jurist (January 24, 2022): Guinea junta creates council to facilitate transition to elections

AP (January 18, 2022): Ex-Guinean President Conde Flown Abroad for Medical Care

Past Africa Elections

Senegal Local Elections: January 23, 2022, followed by legislative elections in 2022 and a presidential election in 2024

Senegal held local elections on January 23, and is due to hold legislative elections by July 2022.

Long considered a stable democracy, backsliding has been taking place under President Macky Sall, who has been accused of prosecuting his political opponents on politically-motivated charges (Freedom House downgraded the country from Free to Partly Free in 2020). Consequently, Senegal saw violent protests in March 2021 following rape charges against former opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, and further protests in November 2021. Some are concerned that Sall could attempt to seek an unconstitutional third term, especially if his allies win another majority in the 2022 legislative elections.

In the local elections, the opposition won in Dakar (which was already an opposition stronghold) and the southern city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko was elected mayor. Several candidates close to Sall, including health minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, lost their races.

A series of oil and gas discoveries starting in 2014 have set Senegal up to become a player in energy production. Sall is a former oil executive and thus has focused on beginning production. More

#Senegal President @Macky_Sall's ruling party has conceded defeat in municipal and regional elections held on Sunday in Dakar and Ziguinchor. The polls are seen as a bellwether for a legislative election in June and the battle for the presidency in 2024. https://t.co/fPq2FWvbJ2

— Mark Anderson (@markc_anderson) January 24, 2022

Diadie Ba, Reuters (January 24, 2022): Senegal’s ruling party loses key cities in local elections

Théa Ollivier, Le Monde (January 24, 2022 – in French): In Ziguinchor, in the south of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko celebrates his “beautiful victory” in the municipal elections

Africanews (January 22, 2022): Residents of Dakar share expectations ahead of Sunday poll

Assane Diagne, AFP (January 20, 2022): Senegal local elections key test for President Sall

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

Joseph Cotterill, Financial Times (January 24, 2022): ANC rival steps up attacks on South Africa’s judiciary: Judges become political targets as battle for control of ruling party intensifies ahead of leadership poll this year

Zambia General Elections: August 12, 2021

Zambia held August 12, 2021 following a hotly-contested campaign between President Edgar Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema, the main opposition leader, who narrowly lost to Lungu in 2016. Ultimately, Hichilema won the presidential election in a landslide and his liberal United Party for National Development (UPND) won a majority in the parliamentary election, restoring hope in Zambia’s democracy.

Zambia used to be a model democracy in the region, with regular, competitive elections and a vibrant civil society. However, under Edgar Lungu, elected in 2015 to complete the term of Michael Sata (who died in office), Zambia began to regress toward authoritarianism. The 2016 elections were marred by political violence and allegations of vote-rigging but ultimately judged credible. Similarly, this year, despite concerns about violence and the larger pre-election environment – as well as a social media shutdown on election day – observers judged the polls credible. Lungu initially took a page from Donald Trump’s playbook and alleged fraud, but ultimately conceded defeat, moving Zambia back toward democracy.

Hakainde Hichilema, Brookings Institution (January 21, 2022): Zambia’s success will be Africa’s success

Regional Analysis

Nic Cheeseman, The Africa Report (January 19, 2022): Africa in 2022: The danger of hegemonic instability

Africa Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Somalia, Indirect Legislative Elections: Ongoing

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

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

Gambia Legislative and Local Elections: April 9, 2022

Burkina Faso Local Elections: May 2022 (delays possible)

Nigeria, Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State: June 18, 2022

Nigeria, Gubernatorial Election in Osun State: July 16, 2022

Republic of Congo Legislative Elections: July 2022 (due)

Senegal Legislative Elections: July 2022 (due)

Kenya Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 9, 2022

Angola Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 2022

Lesotho Parliamentary Elections: September 2022

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

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

Somaliland Presidential Election: November 13, 2022

Equatorial Guinea Legislative and Local Elections: November 2022 (due)

Chad General Elections: By December 2022 (tentative, post-coup)

South Sudan General Elections: December 2022 (tentative)

Nigeria General Elections: February 18, 2023

Nigeria Gubernatorial Elections in Most States: March 2023 (due)

Djibouti Legislative Elections: February 2023

Zimbabwe General Elections: July 2023

Eswatini Parliamentary Elections: August 2023 (due)

Gabon Presidential Election: August 2023 (due)

Mauritania Parliamentary Elections: September 2023 (due)

Gabon Legislative Elections: October 2023 (due)

Liberia Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2023 (due)

Nigeria, Gubernatorial Elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States: November 2023 (due)

Madagascar Presidential Election: November 2023 (due)

Democratic Republic of the Congo Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 2023 (due)

Togo Legislative Elections: December 2023 (due)

Côte d’Ivoire Local Elections: 2023

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

January 22, 2022

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 Parliament of Barbados. Barbados held snap elections on January 19 which delivered a landslide for the incumbent prime minister, Mia Mottley. Photo credit: Wikimedia/giggel (CC BY 3.0)

Upcoming Americas Elections

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.

Holly K. Sonneland, AS/COA (January 20, 2022): A Look at Costa Rica’s 2022 General Elections

Colombia Legislative Elections: March 13, 2022 and Presidential Election: May 29, 2022

Colombia is due to hold presidential and legislative elections in spring 2022. Conservative Ivan Duque, elected president in 2018, is constitutionally barred from running for re-election. One of the current frontrunners to replace him is former left-wing guerilla Gustavo Petro, who placed second in 2018. Ingrid Betancourt, a former FARC hostage who was kidnapped while running for president in 2002, is also running, on a platform of national reconciliation.

The country has been rocked by protests beginning in April 2021. The proximate cause was a tax bill, but the protests grew violent, leading to dozens of deaths.

BBC (January 19, 2022): Ingrid Betancourt: Former Farc captive announces presidential bid

Brazil General Elections (Presidential, Legislative, State, and Local): 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

Reuters (January 20, 2022): Brazil electoral court could ban Telegram app for not fighting fake news

Louis Emanuel, The Telegraph (January 15, 2022): Lula: There will be no coup in Brazil when I defeat Jair Bolsonaro: Former president dismisses fears that Jair Bolsonaro will try to cling to power, claiming voters will ‘reject authoritarianism’

Simone Preissler Iglesias, Bloomberg (January 19, 2022): Brazil Real Gains as Lula Woos Centrist to Join Ticket

Naiara Galarraga Gortázar, El País (January 15, 2022): Bolsonaro and his supporters turn to Telegram to avoid being silenced for spreading fake news

Ecuador Regional Elections: March 2023 (due)

Ecuador is due to hold regional elections in March 2023. In the 2021 general elections, conservative Guillermo Lasso edged out indigenous activist Yaku Pérez for a spot in the runoff. He subsequently surprised many by decisively defeating left-wing economist Andrés Arauz, a protege of former president Rafael Correa (himself barred from running after being convicted of corruption).

Lasso has proposed holding a referendum on reforms to the justice system concurrently with the regional elections.

Alexandra Valencia, Reuters (January 18, 2022): Ecuador to ask citizens to vote on justice reform – president

Haiti Parliamentary and Presidential Elections: Delayed

Haiti had planned to hold presidential and parliamentary elections this year in the midst of political and humanitarian crises, but the elections have now been delayed.

Haiti’s political crisis went into overdrive on July 7 with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Moïse had been governing by decree for over a year and stood accused by many of attempting to consolidate power through a controversial constitutional change (Moïse ultimately postponed the referendum). Prime Minister Ariel Henry is now leading the country, and has said he will hold elections, but has not specified a date.

Allegations of fraud followed Haiti’s presidential 2015 election, sparking a political crisis that remains ongoing. Some have called for the upcoming elections to be delayed, but the interim government has said they will take place this year (although the date could be moved, especially in the wake of a deadly earthquake on August 14 that left over 1,000 people dead).

Jim Wyss, Bloomberg (January 21, 2022): Haiti’s Henry Says He’ll Remain in Office Until New Elections

AP (January 20, 2022): Suspect in Haiti President’s assassination extradited to Miami

Gessika Thomas and Brian Ellsworth, Reuters (January 20, 2022): Analysis: As Haiti investigation stalls, U.S. probes president’s killing

Jihan Abdalla, Al Jazeera (January 18, 2022): ‘Citizens are not protected’: What does 2022 hold for Haiti? The situation in Haiti has reached a crisis point amid stalled elections, rising poverty and the growing power of gangs.

Past Americas Elections

Barbados Snap Parliamentary Elections: January 19, 2022

Barbados held snap parliamentary elections on January 19, a year early, following a decision made in September 2021 to remove the British monarch as head of state and become a republic. The incumbent center-left Barbados Labor Party (BLP, knicknamed the “Bees”) won in a landslide (after winning all 30 seats in the last elections). Prime Minister Mia Mottley will remain in office.

Previously, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP, “Dems”) held power for 10 years. The DLP is seen as being to the left of the BLP, having been founded by a group that broke away in 1955 (the BLP was founded in 1938). However, politics in Barbados tends to be driven by personalities.

U.S. Embassy in Barbados (January 21, 2022): United States Congratulates Barbados on Successful Elections

Al Jazeera (January 20, 2022): Barbados PM hails governing party’s landslide election victory

AP (January 20, 2022): Barbados holds snap general election amid criticism

Honduras General Elections: November 28, 2021

Honduras held presidential and legislative elections on November 28, 2021, following the March 14 primaries. Leftist opposition candidate Xiomara Castro won the presidential race.

These elections took 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. Some feared post-election turmoil this year, but Nasry Asfura, the National Party’s candidate, conceded.

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 had said that it would switch its recognition to Beijing, but has not done so yet and could potentially change its mind. More

AFP (January 22, 2022): Brawl in Honduras Congress Ahead of New President’s Inauguration

Brian Hioe, The Diplomat (January 20, 2022): Did Honduras’ New President Change Her Mind About Dropping Taiwan?

Marlon González, AP (January 21, 2022): Honduras new leader sees ‘betrayal’ before taking office

Venezuela Regional and Local Elections: November 21, 2021

Venezuela held regional and local elections on 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 participated in the November 21 elections.

On January 9, opposition candidate Sergio Garrido won a surprise victory in Barinas state, the birthplace of none other than Hugo Chavez. The vote took place because the original opposition candidate was disqualified retroactively.

Regina Garcia Cano, AP (January 22, 2022): Despite key win, Venezuela’s opposition split over strategy

Nicaragua General Elections: November 7, 2021

Nicaragua held 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).

Silk Road Briefing (January 16, 2022): Nicaragua Joins China’s Belt And Road Initiative

Russia in Latin America

Evan Ellis, Global Americans (January 19, 2022): Russia’s Latest Return to Latin America

Americas Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Barbados Snap Parliamentary Elections: January 19, 2022

Bahamas, Local Elections in Grand Bahama: January 27, 2022

Costa Rica Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 6, 2022

Colombia Legislative Elections: March 13, 2022

St. Martin and St. Barts Territorial Elections: March 20 and 27, 2022

Colombia Presidential Election: May 29, 2022

Canada, Ontario Provincial Elections: June 2, 2022

Mexico State and Local Elections in Some States: June 5, 2022

Canada, Resort Village Elections in Manitoba: July 22, 2022

Chile Constitutional Referendum: Third Quarter 2022

Brazil General Elections (Presidential, Legislative, State, and Local): October 2, 2022

Peru Local and Regional Elections: October 2, 2022

Canada: Local Elections in Ontario: October 24, 2022

Canada: Local Elections in Manitoba: October 26, 2022

Canada: Local Elections in Prince Edward Island: November 7, 2022

Canada: Local Elections in Saskatchewan: November 9, 2022 (Rural Municipalities – even number divisions)

Canada: Local Elections in Northwest Territories: December 12, 2022

Guyana Local Elections: Overdue (date not set yet – preparations being made)

Grenada General Elections: By March 2023 (due)

Ecuador Regional Elections: March 2023 (due)

Paraguay Presidenital and Legislative Elections: April 2023

Guatemala General Elections: June 2023 (expected)

Guatemala General Election Runoffs: August 2023 (expected)

Argentina Presidential and Legislative Elections: October or November 2023 (due)

Antigua and Barbuda General Elections: By 2023

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

January 21, 2022

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.

The historic city hall in Taichung, Taiwan. Taiwan has set local elections for November 26. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Fcuk1203 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections

Nepal National Assembly Elections: January 26, 2022 (voting for 1/3 of upper house)

Nepal holds elections for a third of the National Assembly, the upper house of the bicameral parliament, on January 26, 2022.

Nepal had planned to hold snap elections for the lower house in November 2021, following a protracted political crisis, but now the snap elections have been cancelled, and the current thinking is that the parliamentary elections will take place when they are due in 2023. For background: in December 2020, Nepal’s prime minister decided to dissolve parliament and call for new elections. However, on February 23, the Supreme Court overturned the decision, cancelling the snap elections. The government subsequently lost a confidence vote, sparking snap polls. However, the courts reversed the decision.

Nepal sits in the strategically-important Himalayas, and is a focus of competition between India and China. Although former prime minister KP Sharma Oli brought Nepal closer to China, his replacement, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who assumed office in July 2021, is seen as favoring closer ties to India. More

PTI (January 21, 2022): Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba calls for three-tier elections within a year

Saloni Murarka, WION (January 18, 2022): Nepal’s ruling coalition parties agree to hold local elections in April

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 national parties – and PM Narendra Modi – ahead of national elections in 2024.

First up: Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, will hold elections in seven stages from February 20 to March 7. Punjab will also vote on February 20.

Sumathi Bala, CNBC (January 18, 2022): Political setbacks dent Modi’s strongman image as India heads for crucial state polls

Upmanyu Trivedi, Bloomberg (January 18, 2022): India’s Congress Party Courts Women in Major State Elections

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.

Yonhap (January 21, 2022): Lee, Yoon neck-and-neck at 34% vs. 33%: poll

Timor-Leste Presidential Election: March 19, 2022

Timor-Leste (also called East Timor) will hold a presidential election in March 2022. Since winning independence from Indonesia in a referendum 20 years ago, Timor-Leste has become a democracy rated Free by Freedom House, although some challenges remain.

The current president, Francisco Guterres, called Lú-Olo, was elected in 2017.

CathNews (January 20, 2022): Former priest to run for presidency in Timor-Leste

Ryan Dagur, UCA News (January 17, 2022): Guterres keen to continue as Timor-Leste president: He may be challenged by Jose Ramos-Horta with backing from fellow former leader Xanana Gusmao

Philippines General Elections (Presidential, Legislative, and Local): May 9, 2022

Philippines holds general elections 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.

AFP (January 22, 2022): Twitter Suspends Hundreds of Accounts Promoting Philippines’ Marcos Jr.

Bea Cupin, Rappler (January 20, 2022): First majority president post-Marcos? Highs and lows ahead of 2022 polls

Walter Lohman, GIS Reports (January 18, 2022): Scenarios for a post-Duterte Philippines

South China Morning Post (January 18, 2022): Wang Yi urges Philippines not to ditch Duterte’s China-friendly policy after election

Al Jazeera (January 17, 2022): Philippines dismisses bid to bar Marcos Jr from presidential race: Lawyers who filed the complaint against Ferdinand Marcos Jr – based on a past tax conviction – say they will appeal.

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

Australia’s federal parliamentary elections are due by 2022, but snap elections could happen. Meanwhile, several states hold elections in 2021. In the last general elections, in 2019, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party won in a surprise result, after trailing in pre-election polls. More

Reuters (January 17, 2022): Australia PM’s ratings take a hit months away from election, poll shows

Ben Westcott, Bloomberg (January 16, 2022): Australia’s Opposition Toughens China Stance Ahead of Elections

Deborah Snow, Sydney Morning Herald (January 15, 2022): Nothing off limits: Scott Morrison on his bruising years as Prime Minister

Shaimaa Khalil, BBC (January 14, 2022): Novak Djokovic: The politics behind Australia’s decision

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 have had some element of competition, the 2018 elections – 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.

Astrid Noren-Nilsson, East Asia Forum (January 21, 2022): Hun Sen future-proofs Cambodia’s politics

Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat (January 19, 2022): Cambodia Resumes Treason Trial of Opposition Leader Kem Sokha: The resumption follows a nearly two-year break in proceedings, allegedly due to COVID-19.

AFP (January 19, 2022): Cambodia opposition leader calls for treason charges to be dropped as trial resumes

Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022

Taiwan, a robust democracy, has scheduled “nine-in-one” local elections for November 26, 2022. Voters will elect nine categories of local officials.

The country held presidential and legislative elections in January 2020. President Tsai Ing-Wen’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the legislative elections and Tsai herself was re-elected president. The DPP, established in 1986 during Taiwan’s transition to democracy, supports Taiwan’s independence. The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), founded by Sun Yat-Sen, favors closer ties to the mainland, which it ruled from 1925 to 1948. Relations with China are a dominant theme in Taiwan’s political debate.

Amy Qin and Amy Chang Chien, New York Times (January 19, 2022): ‘We Are Taiwanese’: China’s Growing Menace Hardens Island’s Identity

Lai Yu-chen and William Yen, CNA (January 14, 2022): Taiwan’s ‘nine-in-one elections’ to be held Nov. 26

Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)

Thailand is due to hold general elections by March 23, 2023, but early elections are possible. In addition, various types of local elections are taking place at various times. These elections are taking place in the context of unprecedented protests against the monarchy, and calls for unprecedented types of reforms. These protests have been going on for months. More

Bangkok Post (January 21, 2022): PM rules out early election

Yohei Muramatsu, Nikkei Asia (January 21, 2022): Thai ruling coalition fractures as Prayuth’s party culls ranks: Palang Pracharath ousts secretary-general and allies after by-election losses

Tan Tam Mei, Straits Times (January 18, 2022): By-election wins for Thailand’s Democrats more telling of ruling party’s troubles

Tommy Walker, Voice of America (January 17, 2022): Thailand Facing Crackdown on Freedoms

Malaysia General Elections: By May 2023 (early elections highly likely)

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) held snap elections on November 20, which delivered a victory for the national ruling coalition. Subsequently, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, held snap polls on December 18, delivering yet another win for the government’s allies. 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). 

Malaysia sits on a key strategic chokepoint – the Strait of Malacca – and has sought to engage both the United States and China as it seeks to build its regional influence. More

P Prem Kumar, Nikkei Asia (January 20, 2022): Ismail Sabri faces brewing tensions over Malaysia election timing: Sources say PM under pressure from within own party to dissolve parliament

Burma Parliamentary Elections: By August 2023 (proposed – tentative, post-coup)

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. 

AFP (January 22, 2022): Myanmar Junta Sentences Lawmaker From Suu Kyi’s Party to Death

David Hutt, DW (January 18, 2022): Myanmar’s government-in-exile finds friends in the Czech Republic

Mitch McConnell, Lexington Herald Leader (January 18, 2022): Mitch McConnell: I’m continuing my work to strengthen democracy in Burma

The Irrawaddy (January 17, 2022): Suu Kyi to Face 164 Years Imprisonment as Myanmar Junta Adds Five More Charges

Maldives Presidential Election: September 2023 (due)

Maldives is due to hold a presidential election in September 2023. The idyllic archipelago was under a brutal dictatorship for decades, but began a remarkable transition to democracy in 2008. The road to democracy has been somewhat rocky, but Maldivian democrats persevere.

The country, in the strategically-important Indian Ocean, has been part of geopolitical competition between India and the democratic world on the one hand and China on the other hand.

Rangoli Mitra, The Diplomat (January 19, 2022): The China-India Cold War in Maldives: Beijing and New Delhi’s jostling for influence in Maldives cannot be separated from the island nation’s domestic political wrangling.

Past Asia/Pacific Elections

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 took place in the context of Beijing’s determinationoa to gut Hong Kong’s democracy. A draconian new national security law has led to the imprisonment of pro-democracy candidates, activists, and journalists.

In the 2021 elections, only candidates deemed “patriotic” were permitted, and as a result, the legislature is now overwhelmingly pro-Beijing. Hong Kong has a history of vigorous debate and democratic politics, so Beijing’s measures are not popular. In that vein, over 89,000 residents left Hong Kong in the year after the national security law took effect. More

Liu Aoran and Raymond Chung, Radio Free Asia (January 21, 2022): European parliament slams Hong Kong rights abuses under draconian security law

Gary Cheung and Natalie Wong, South China Morning Post (January 18, 2022): Hong Kong guessing game: why is Beijing still silent on the chief executive race? And does Carrie Lam have its backing?

Asia/Pacific Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Nepal National Assembly Elections: January 26, 2022 (voting for 1/3 of upper house)

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 19, 2022

Australia, South Australia State Election: March 19, 2022

Nepal Provincial Elections: April or May 2022 (due)

Nepal General Elections: Spring 2022 (expected – due by March 2023, but early elections likely)

Philippines Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: May 9, 2022

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

Papua New Guinea Parliamentary and Local Elections: June 25-July 8, 2022

Cambodia Local Elections: June 5, 2022

Japan House of Councillors Elections: July 25, 2022 (half of upper house at stake)

Vanuatu Presidential Election: July 2022 (due – indirect election, largely ceremonial role)

Australia, Tasmania State Elections: By Mid-2022

Nauru Parliamentary Elections: August 2022 (due)

New Zealand Local Elections: October 2022 (due)

Fiji Parliamentary Elections: November 2022 (due)

Taiwan Local Elections: November 26, 2022

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

Australia, South Australia Local Elections; November 11, 2022

Australia, Victoria State Elections: November 26, 2022

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

India, State Elections in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland: February 2023 (due)

Thailand General Elections: By March 23, 2023 (earlier elections possible)

Australia, New South Wales State Elections: March 25, 2023

Micronesia Parliamentary Elections: March 2023

Malaysia General Elections and State Elections: May 2023 (due – general elections likely to be called earlier)

India, State Elections in Karnataka: May 2023 (due)

Cambodia Parliamentary Elections: July 30, 2023 (due)

Burma Parliamentary Elections: By August 2023 (proposed – tentative, post-coup)

Maldives Presidential Election: September 2023 (due)

Tuvalu General Elections: September 2023 (due)

Singapore Presidential Election: September 2023 (expected – largely ceremonial role)

New Zealand General Elections: October 2023 (expected – due by January 2024)

Bhutan Parliamentary Elections: October 2023 (due)

India, State Elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram: November 2023 (due)

Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: December 2023 (due)

India, State Elections in Rajasthan and Telangana: December 2023 (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

January 20, 2022

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.

A government building in Mogilev, in eastern Belarus. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Alexander Lipilin (CC BY-SA 2.5)

Upcoming Eurasia Elections

Belarus Constitutional Referendum: February 2022 (proposed)

Belarus’s dictator, Alexander Lukashenko, has announced plans to hold a constitutional referendum in February 2022 as a way of extending his time in power (he has been president since 1994 – the first and only president of post-Soviet Belarus). Belarus’s elections and political processes are neither free nor fair.

The country las held a presidential election on August 9, 2020. In a vote widely deemed not free and not fair, 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. 

In addition, Russia has been moving troops to Belarus in preparation for a possible invasion of Ukraine. More

Yuras Karmanau, AP (January 20, 2022): Belarus calls referendum that could strengthen Lukashenko

AP (January 20, 2022): U.S. charges Belarus officials with air piracy in reporter’s arrest

AFP (January 19, 2022): US fears arrival of Russian troops could lead to nuclear weapons in Belarus

Andrew Roth, The Guardian (January 17, 2022): Russia moves troops to Belarus for joint exercises near Ukraine border: Move likely to stoke invasion fears as war games also planned near borders of Nato members Poland and Lithuania

Ukraine Parliamentary Elections: By October 2023 and Presidential Election: By March 2024

Ukraine holds parliamentary elections in 2023 and a presidential election in 2024. In the last presidential vote, in 2019, Actor and comedian Zelensky beat incumbent Petro Poroshenko running on an anti-establishment platform. However, since then, the country’s traditional pro-Europe and pro-Moscow political forces have regained ground.

Russia’s military aggression, which began in 2014, continues, and the threat of further invasion looms large.

Kevin Breuninger, CNBC (January 20, 2022): U.S. sanctions four Russian-linked actors for allegedly working to destabilize Ukraine

David L. Stern, Washington Post (January 17, 2022): Former Ukrainian president Poroshenko returns home to face treason charges amid tensions with Russia

James Verini and photos by Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times (January 16, 2022 – photo essay): In the Trenches of Ukraine’s Forever War

Past Eurasia Elections

Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary Elections Take 2: November 28, 2021

Kyrgyzstan held 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

Ayzirek Imanaliyeva, Eurasianet (January 19, 2022): Kyrgyzstan: Pressure piled on nationalist opposition party

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

Regina Smith, The Conversation (January 20, 2022): A year after Navalny’s return, Putin remains atop a changed Russia

Owen Matthews, The Spectator (January 15, 2022): Haunted: the spectre of revolution is stalking Putin

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, 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.

Russia has ramped up its harassment Moldova following the victories of Sandu and her allies. Moreover, Russia instigated and continues to perpetuate a frozen conflict in Transnistria, where 1,400 Russian troops are stationed – an obstacle to Moldova’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. Additionally, Transnistria’s rampant organized crime and corruption threaten Moldova’s stability. Russia also stokes separatism in Gagauzia, a Turkic-speaking region of Moldova. More

RFE/RL (January 20, 2022): Moldova Introduces State Of Emergency Amid Russian Gas Crisis

Madalin Necsutu, Balkan Insight (January 18, 2022): Moldova in 2022: Reformists in Power in Year of Turbulence

Armenia Snap Parliamentary Elections: June 20, 2021

Armenia held snap parliamentary elections on June 20 in an effort to defuse a political crisis following a defeat in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pre-election polls suggested a close contest Pashinyan acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan and former president Robert Kocharyan; however, Pashinyan ended up winning by a significant margin. Political tensions remain.

JAMnews (January 19, 2022): Armenian PM wins Pashinyan v Armenia case in Strasbourg court

Laura Pitel, Financial Times (January 14, 2022): Turkish and Armenian envoys meet for normalisation talks

Kazakhstan Legislative Elections: January 10, 2021

Kazakhstan held legislative elections for January 10, 2021. The country’s elections take place in the context of an authoritarian system in which critics of the government face harassment and arrest. As such, no genuine opposition has representation in the legislature.

A series of protests in January 2022 rocked the country and left as many as 225 people dead, as well as a reported 12,000 people in detention. Russia briefly sent personnel under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), its military alliance of several post-Soviet states. More

Almaz Kumenov, Eurasianet (January 20, 2022): Kazakhstan: De-Nazarbayevification picks up steam, but is it just for show?

Arkady Dubnov, Al Jazeera (January 16, 2022): Kazakhstan: A coup, a counter-coup and a Russian victory: The unrest in Kazakhstan led to consolidation of power in the country and may affect the transition of power in Russia.

Reuters (January 15, 2022): Kazakhstan puts unrest death toll at 225

Farangis Najibullah, RFE/RL (January 15, 2022): ‘Fight Far From Over’ For One Kazakh Protester, Despite Clampdown On Demonstrations

Colleen Wood, The Diplomat (January 14, 2022): Kazakhstan: Local Politics and the Chaos in Almaty: Resolving discontent with Almaty’s local government will be an important step in Kazakhstan’s broader political reform efforts.

Tom Burgis, Financial Times (January 13, 2022): Nazarbayev and the power struggle over Kazakhstan’s future

Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times (January 13, 2022): Russian-Led Alliance Begins Withdrawing Troops From Kazakhstan

AP (January 13, 2022): After Kazakhstan Unrest, Relatives Await Detainees’ Release: Authorities have refused to allow relatives or lawyers to see the 12,000 people reportedly in custody, giving little information about them.

Eurasia Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Belarus Constitutional Referendum: February 27, 2022

Russia Regional Elections (some regions): September 2022 (due)

Turkmenistan Parliamentary and Local Elections: March 2023 (due)

Moldova Local Elections: October 2023 (due)

Ukraine Parliamentary Elections: By October 29, 2023 (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.

Europe

January 19, 2022

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 Zindan Gate of Belgrade Fortress. Serbia voters approved a January 16 referendum on constitutional changes related to the judiciary ahead of April 3 early elections. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Magyshadow (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Upcoming Europe Elections

Finland County Elections: January 23, 2022

On January 23, 2022, Finland will hold elections to newly-created county councils. These councils will assume responsibility for providing healthcare (the responsibility previously fell to municipal councils).

Following the 2019 parliamentary elections, a left-leaning coalition came into government nationally. The conservative National Coalition Party won the most seats in the local elections, with the Social Democrats placing second. The far-right Finns Party made gains in its vote share. More

YLE News (January 12, 2022): Advance voting underway in Finland’s first county council elections

Italy Indirect Presidential Election: Begins January 24, 2022

Italy’s parliament will begin the process of choosing a president on January 24. Although Italy’s president does not have much formal executive power, current president Sergio Mattarella, who is not seeking another term, has become increasingly powerful as a mediator in Italy’s recent series of political crises.

Current prime minister Mario Draghi has indicated interest in the role, which could trigger snap elections if the current broad coalition of right and left-wing parties does not hold together. Italy is currently not due for parliamentary elections until 2023. Some fear another bout of instability if Draghi leaves his current role – Draghi’s accession to the role of prime minister ended the last round of political chaos.

In addition, none other than former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi – currently age 85 – is also angling for the role in a campaign dubbed “Operation Squirrel.” Numerous other political figures could be put forward for nomination.

Paola Subacchi, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (January 19, 2022): Presidential election could put Italy’s Draghi-led recovery at risk

Francesco Pesole, Paolo Pizzoli, and Antonie Bouvet, ING (January 18, 2022): A market’s guide to Italy’s upcoming presidential election

Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli, Financial Times (January 18, 2022): Silvio Berlusconi makes long-shot bid for presidency of Italy: Comeback for former premier, 85, seen as unlikely but attempt could put political unity at risk

Portugal Snap Parliamentary Elections: January 30, 2022

Portugal will hold snap elections on January 30, two years early, 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. 

Paul Ames, Politico (January 20, 2022): Heartlands key as António Costa seeks majority in Portugal’s early election: Socialists lead in polls, but struggle to find allies in fractured political landscape.

BBC (January 14, 2022): Lisbon council fined for sharing protester details with foreign embassies

Germany Saarland State Elections: March 27, 2022, followed by Schleswig-Holstein State Elections: May 8, 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia State Elections: May 15, 2022, and Lower Saxony State Elections: October 8, 2022

Germany holds several sets of state elections in 2022, following the “Superwahljahr” (Super Election Year) of 2021, which saw the defeat of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and a new “traffic light coalition” government consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens.

Ken Moriyasu, Nikkei Asia (January 19, 2022): German leader juggles China policy, balancing profits and principles

Nikolas K. Gvosdev and Nils Schmidt, Foreign Policy Research Institute (January 18, 2022): Germany’s Future after the “Merkel Era”?

Hungary Parliamentary Elections: April 3, 2022

Hungary is holding parliamentary elections on April 3, 2022. 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.

Lili Bayer, Politico (January 19, 2022): MEPs call for full-scale election observation in Hungary: The unusual move reflects deepening concerns over democratic backsliding in Hungary and the legitimacy of its institutions.

Ábrahám Voss, Hungary Today (January 17, 2022): Opposition PM Candidate Márki-Zay Challenges Orbán to Public Debate

Daniel Nolan, openDemocracy (January 14, 2022): Meet the conservative who could unseat Viktor Orbán

Amanda Rivkin, DW (January 13, 2022): Hungary: Civil society groups request election observers: Twenty Hungarian civil society organizations called for international observers during elections in April. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has already challenged the legitimacy of elections in the country he controls.

Craig Turp-Balazs, Emerging Europe (January 12, 2022): Hungary sets April date for parliamentary election, with PM Viktor Orbán facing his toughest challenge yet

RFE/RL (January 12, 2022): Hungary Caps Prices On Basic Foods As Inflation Pinches Families Ahead Of Elections

Serbia Constitutional Referendum: January 16, 2022, followed by Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: April 3, 2022

Serbia holds early presidential and legislative elections on April 3, following a constitutional referendum on January 16 in which voters approved constitutional changes related to the judiciary – a move some hope will bring Serbia closer to EU membership. The last elections, snap parliamentary elections in June 2020, took place in a climate of mistrust. Many opposition parties boycotted, and therefore, President Alexander Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) dominated. Vucic announced that the new parliament would not serve a full term, and that the Serbia would hold both presidential and parliamentary elections by April 2022.

Serbia has tried to balance movement toward joining the European Union with maintaining good relations with Russia. Meanwhile, China has stepped up its presence.

Milica Stojanovic, Balkan Insight (January 16, 2022): Serbia Votes ‘Yes’ to Judiciary Constitution Changes

Reuters (January 14, 2022): U.S. and its allies welcome Serbia’s Jan. 16 referendum on constitutional changes

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.

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.

As for the traditionally-dominant parties, the center-right Republicans have selected Valérie Pécresse, president of the regional council of Île-de-France. The Socialists chose Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo as their candidate. Pécresse has polled in second and could very realistically beat both of the far-right candidates and make it to the runoff.

Maïa de la Baume and Rym Momtaz, Politico (January 19, 2022): Macron’s EU speech descends into French campaign brawl: The sparring illustrates how much France’s presidential election is looming over the country’s rotating EU presidency.

John Keiger, The Spectator (January 18, 2022): Could Marine Le Pen be shut out of France’s election?

Joseph Choi, The Hill (January 17, 2022): Far-right French presidential candidate fined for remarks about young migrants

Hannah Thompson, Connexion France (January 17, 2022): France’s far-left holds election rally with ‘smell and visual effects’

Louise Nordstrom, France24 (January 16, 2022): Valérie Pécresse: ‘The Bulldozer’ conservative who vows to restore French pride

France24 (January 15, 2022): Former justice minister Christiane Taubira joins France’s presidential race

Euronews with AFP (January 13, 2022): France election: Le Pen and Zemmour make French far-right ‘most suicidal’ in the world 

United Kingdom Local Elections, including Northern Ireland Assembly: May 5, 2022

The United Kingdom holds local elections for some local councils, as well as the Northern Ireland Assembly (although the Northern Ireland elections could take place earlier). The Northern Ireland elections could be a watershed. Polling suggests that unionist parties could lose their majority and the nationalist Sinn Féin could become the biggest party. By far the biggest issue in public debate is Northern Ireland’s trade arrangements following Brexit.

In last year’s local elections, the Conservatives made gains on councils, particularly in England, but Labour’s Sadiq Khan was re-elected mayor of London. Labour also held onto its working majority in the Welsh parliament. In the high-stakes Scottish Parliament elections, the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) won the most seats after campaigning on another independence referendum, but failed to win a majority, making it harder to insist on a new referendum. All of Scotland’s local councils are up for election in 2022. The SNP is currently the biggest party in local government, and it is worth watching whether they make gains this year.

Jon Stone, The Independent (January 19, 2022): UK government U-turns on ‘double jobbing’ for Northern Ireland politicians

Joe Barnes and James Crisp, The Telegraph (January 13, 2022): Liz Truss targets Northern Ireland Protocol deal by end of March: Two sides expected to agree timetable for intensive talks in attempt to broker compromise before Stormont elections

Austria Presidential Election: Fall 2022 (due)

Austria is due to hold a presidential election in Fall 2022, although in Austria’s parliamentary system, the role is largely ceremonial. Recently, the double resignation of center-right chancellor Sebastian Kurz and subsequently his successor, Alexander Schallenberg, has shaken politics. General elections to select the next government are not due until 2024, but snap elections remain possible. In addition, a number of states hold state and local elections in 2023.

Hayley Maguire, The Local (January 18, 2022): How does Austria’s presidential election work?

Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections: October 2, 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) holds general elections on October 2, 2022. The 2020 local elections, which took place in the context of gridlock and ethno-nationalism, delivered a blow to the three main ethnic-based political parties, with opposition forces winning in Sarajevo and other key cities. BiH faces a number of problems, including poor economic prospects, incompetent governance, and bitter political fights. 

BiH consists of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, populated mostly by Muslim Bosniaks and Catholic Croats, and the Republika Srpska, with mostly Orthodox Serbs. Recently, tensions have flared as Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has used increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and taken actions that some analysts see as moving toward secession.

Irvin Pekmez, Balkan Insight (January 19, 2022): Bosnia’s Dodik Courts French Far-Right before Le Pen Presidency Bid

Carl Bildt, Project Syndicate (January 18, 2022): Bosnia’s Next Crisis

Reuters (January 18, 2022): Turkey’s Erdogan, Serbia’s Vucic agree to broker Bosnia crisis talks

Montenegro Parliamentary Elections: By August 2024

Montenegro is due to hold parliamentary elections by August 2024, but snap polls are possible. The last elections, the fifth since independence in 2006, took place in August 2020. Although the pro-Western Democratic Party of Socialists, which has been in power for 30 years, won the most seats, they did not win a majority, and a coalition of opposition parties united to form a government. Zdravko Krivokapic from For the Future of Montenegro became the next prime minister. The political base of the Krivokapic’s coalition is generally pro-Moscow.

The government currently faces a no-confidence motion, which could lead to early elections in May if it succeeds.

Samir Kajosevic, Balkan Insight (January 19, 2022): Montenegro’s ‘Blocked’ Government Faces No-Confidence Motion

European Western Balkans (January 19, 2022): Reactions from the EU to the new government proposal in Montenegro: Reforms should be unblocked

Past Europe Elections

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

Bulgaria held a presidential election on November 14 along with parliamentary elections – the third this year after no one could form a government following the first two. It appears that the third time was a charm, as a new political party called We Continue the Change (whose founders tout their Harvard credentials) formed a broad coalition.

The elections brought major change, ousting former PM Boyko Borissov’s center-right GERB, which had governed for most of the last 12 years. The country also saw the rise of a party called There Is Such a People (ITN), led by TV star Stanislav Trifonov, which came in second in the April elections and first in the July elections. Despite being edged out by We Continue the Change in November, ITN will be part of the new coalition. The other parties in the government will be the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the centrist/center-right Democratic Bulgaria coalition.

Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union (EU); however, it remains the poorest and most corrupt member of the EU. Meanwhile, Russia seeks to influence Bulgaria. Moreover, Bulgaria is currently embroiled in a diplomatic dispute with neighboring North Macedonia involving issues of language and history. Last year, it blocked North Macedonia’s EU accession. This comes on the heels of North Macedonia literally changing its name in order to get Greece to stop blocking its NATO and EU membership. More

AP (January 19, 2022): Bulgarian president takes oath of office for second term

Reuters (January 17, 2022): Bulgaria’s anti-corruption chief resigns as government seeks reforms

North Macedonia Local Elections: October 17, 2021

North Macedonia held local elections on October 17, 2021 which delivered a landslide victory for the conservative/nationalist opposition VMRO-DPMNE and resulted in the resignation of PM Zoran Zaev of the Social Democratic Union (SDSM). These follow parliamentary elections in July 2020 in which SDSM won a second term. North Macedonia’s next general elections are not due until 2024, but the opposition is calling for snap polls in light of the results of the local elections.

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 remain fragmented and fractious.

Konstantin Testorides, AP (January 18, 2022): Bulgarian PM visits North Macedonia to boost battered ties: The new prime ministers of North Macedonia and Bulgaria have agreed to redouble efforts to improve relations between the two Balkan neighbors, which soured after Bulgaria blocked North Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union

Sinisa Jakov Marusic, Balkan Insight (January 17, 2022): North Macedonia’s Newly Elected PM Faces Raft of Challenges

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

Aneta Zachová, Euractiv (January 19, 2022): Former Czech PM Babis to be stripped of immunity

Matt K., Global Risk Insights (January 17, 2022): Sino-Czech Relations: Change on the Horizon

Peter Laca and Lenka Ponikelska, Bloomberg (January 13, 2022): Czechs Ratify New Government That Vows to Repair Ties With EU

Europe’s Relationship with China

Catherine Jones, London School of Economics (January 13, 2022): Understanding China-EU relations in the context of the Belt and Road initiative

Europe Elections Coming Up in 2022 and 2023

Cyprus, Northern Cyprus Snap Elections: January 22, 2022

Finland County Elections: January 23, 2022

Italy Indirect Presidential Election: January 24, 2022

Portugal Snap Parliamentary Elections: January 30, 2022

Netherlands Local Elections: March 16, 2022

Germany, Saarland State Elections: March 27, 2022

Hungary Parliamentary Elections: April 3, 2022

Serbia Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, plus Belgrade City Assembly Elections: April 3, 2022

France Presidential Election: April 10 and 24, 2022

Slovenia Parliamentary Elections: April 24, 2022

United Kingdom Local Elections, including Northern Ireland Assembly: May 5, 2022

Germany, Schleswig-Holstein State Elections: May 8, 2022

Iceland Local Elections

Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia State Elections: May 15, 2022

France Legislative Elections: June 12 and 19, 2022

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

Austria Presidential Election: Fall 2022 (due)

Sweden Parliamentary and Local Elections: September 11, 2022

Latvia Parliamentary Elections: October 1, 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2, 2022

Germany, Lower Saxony State Elections: October 9, 2022

Czech Republic Local and Partial Senate Election: October 2022

Spain, Andalusia Regional Elections: Between June and October 2022 (due)

Slovenia Presidential and Local Elections: October/November 2022 (due)

Slovakia Local Elections: November 2022 (due)

Czech Republic Presidential Election: By January 2023

Austria, Lower Austria State Elections: January 2023 (due)

Cyprus Presidential Election: February 2023 (due)

Monaco Parliamentary Elections: February 2023 (due)

Austria, Tyrol State Elections: February 2023 (due)

Estonia General Elections: By March 5, 2023

Netherlands Provincial Council and Water Authority Elections: March 2023 (due)

Austria, Carinthia State Elections: March 2023 (due)

Finland Parliamentary Elections: By April 2023

Montenegro Presidential Election: April 2023 (due)

Austria, Salzburg State Elections: April 2023 (due)

Spain Local Elections and Various Regional Elections: May 28, 2023

Germany, Bremen State Elections: May 2023 (due)

Greece Local Elections: May 2023 (due)

Latvia Indirect Presidential Election: May 2023 (due)

Italy General Elections: By June 1, 2023

Denmark General Elections: By June 4, 2023

Greece Parliamentary Elections: By August 6, 2023

Norway Local Elections: September 2023

Switzerland Federal Parliamentary Elections: October 2023 (due)

Luxembourg General Elections: October 2023

Bulgaria Local Elections: October 2023

Germany, Hesse and Bavaria State Elections: October 2023 (due)

Finland, Åland Elections: By October 2023

Poland Parliamentary and Local Elections: By November 11, 2023

Spain General Elections: By December 10, 2023 (snap elections possible)

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