Europe

August 2, 2023

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Europe, usually posted on Wednesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.

The Alcalá Gate in Madrid, Spain. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Upcoming Europe Elections

Germany, Hesse and Bavaria State Elections: October 8, 2023 (next federal election by October 2025)

Ben Knight, DW (July 31, 2023): German intel: AfD taken over by extremist factions

Hans von der Burchard, Politico (July 30, 2023): German far right picks EU lead candidate, wants European anti-migrant ‘fortress’

Reuters (July 29, 2023): Thousands protest against Germany’s far-right AfD party

DW (July 28, 2023 – video): Germany’s far-right AfD expected to make gains in Bavaria

Bulgaria Local Elections: October 29, 2023

Sofia Globe (July 29, 2023): Bulgaria to hold 2023 municipal and mayoral elections on October 29

Poland Parliamentary and Local Elections: November 11, 2023 (due – earlier elections possible)

DW (August 1, 2023): Poland’s far-right Confederation party set to be kingmaker

Wojciech Kośč, Politico (July 27, 2023): Outcry in Poland after claims that prosecutors drained cesspit in abortion probe: Reproductive rights dominate pre-election debate in Poland after reports of law enforcement targeting women for suspected abortions.

Finland Presidential Election: January 28, 2024

YLE News (July 28, 2023): Presidential election campaign period officially begins; Aaltola to announce decision next week

European Union, European Parliament Elections: June 6-9, 2024

 Nicholas Vinocur and Suzanne Lynch, Politico (August 2, 2023): The Schemer: Macron’s man is plotting to run the EU

Eddy Wax, Politico (July 28, 2023): European Parliament set to grow by 15 MEPs in 2024: France, Spain and the Netherlands set to get two more seats each in next mandate.

North Macedonia General Elections: Due in 2024 (early elections possible)

Reuters (July 30, 2023): Ethnic Albanian party in North Macedonia offers deal to clear the way to join EU

Past Europe Elections

Spain General Elections: July 23, 2023

Joan Faus, Reuters (August 2, 2023): Catalan kingmaker tells Spain’s Sanchez not to take support for granted

David Cutts and Paul Kennedy, London School of Economics (July 31, 2023): Is Spain heading for another general election?

Barney Jopson, Financial Times (July 31, 2023): Madrid’s Isabel Díaz Ayuso boosted as leader-in-waiting by right’s election setback

Aitor Hernández-Morales, Politico (July 29, 2023): Spain election repeat more likely after expat vote count: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s already narrow path to a new administration just became trickier.

Italy General Elections: September 25, 2023

James Rothwell, The Telegraph (July 30, 2023): Italy intends to leave ‘atrocious’ partnership with China

China’s Malign Influence

Shannon Thaler, New York Post (July 27, 2023): TikTok has been pushing Chinese propaganda to millions of users in Europe: analysis

Europe Elections Coming Up in 2023

Latvia Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): May 31, 2023

Norway Local Elections: September 11, 2023

Slovakia Snap Parliamentary Elections: September 30, 2023 (proposed – requires parliament to change constitution to allow)

Germany, Hesse and Bavaria State Elections: October 8, 2023

Luxembourg General Elections: October 8, 2023

Switzerland Federal Parliamentary Elections: October 22, 2023

Bulgaria Local Elections: October 29, 2023

Finland, Åland Elections: October 2023 (due)

Portugal, Regional Elections in Madeira: October 2023 (due)

Poland Parliamentary and Local Elections (due – earlier elections possible): November 11, 2023

Spain General Elections: December 10, 2023 (due – early elections possible)

Switzerland Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): December 12, 2023

Andorra Local Elections: 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.

Middle East

August 1, 2023

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.

The Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, which is meant to symbolize the unity of Pakistani people who come from various ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Yaarahmadd (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ongoing Middle East Elections

Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): Continuing

Lebanon’s fractious parliament is in the process of selecting a president. As part of Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, the president is always a Maronite Christian (and conversely, a Sunni serves as prime minister and a Shi’ite as speaker of the parliament). 

The last parliamentary elections took place in May 2022 in the context of a political and economic crisis exacerbated by the August 2020 explosion in the port of Beirut. In those elections, Hezbollah and its allies lost their majority in parliament, and a number of independents won seats. 

The fragmented parliament has not been able to pick a new president, leaving a vacuum following the end of Michel Aoun’s term in October 2022. 

Maya Gebeily at Reuters notes: “The leadership crisis reflects divisions among the ruling elite that has been unable to install a president or fully empowered cabinet for over a year, while leaving the financial crisis to fester, largely unaddressed, since 2019.” 

Maya Gebeily, Reuters (July 28, 2023): Lebanon’s central bank faces uncertainty without appointment of new governor

Upcoming Middle East Elections

Pakistan General Elections: By November 10, 2023 (early elections possible)

Pakistan is due to hold elections later this year amid political turmoil and multiple crises. Shweta Sharma at The Independent says: “Analysts say there are hopes that the election can bring an end to a period of deep political uncertainty since [former PM Imran] Khan was ousted in a vote of no confidence, as well as install a government with the mandate to tackle one of South Asia’s worst economic crises, exacerbated by last year’s devastating floods.”

Shweta Sharma, The Independent (August 1, 2023): Fears of more political violence as Pakistan prepares for elections – with or without Imran Khan

AP (July 31, 2023): Pakistan buries dead after 54 killed in a bombing at pro-Taliban cleric’s election rally

Anwarullah Khan and Riaz Khan at the AP note: “The bombing came hours before Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng arrived in Islamabad, where he signed new agreements to boost trade and economic ties to mark a decade of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package under which China has invested $10 billion in Pakistan over 10 years, according to Sharif.”

AP (July 31, 2023): IS Behind Pro-Taliban Election Rally Bombing in Pakistan

Adnan Aamir, Nikkei Asia (July 26, 2023): Imran Khan tells Pakistan’s military to stay out of politics as election nears

Iraq Regional Elections: December 18, 2023

Sinan Mahmoud at The National notes: “After the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime, parliamentary and provincial council elections were introduced as the main pillar for democracy. Provincial councils play a vital role as the sub-national legislative authority, as well as devising localized development plans.”

Sinan Mahmoud, The National UAE (July 30, 2023): Iraq’s electoral commission extends party registration deadline for provincial polls

Palestinian Authority General Elections: Long Overdue

Palestinian Authority elections are long overdue. President Mahmoud Abbas is currently in year 18 of a four-year term. Elections were finally scheduled in 2021, but canceled at the last minute. 

In 2007, Hamas gained control of Gaza, leading to a rift between it and the Palestinian Authority, headquartered in the West Bank and led by Abbas’s Fatah party. 

Neville Teller, Jerusalem Post (August 1, 2023): Is unity between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority possible?

Qassam Muaddi, The New Arab (July 31, 2023): Why breaking the deadlock in Palestinian politics remains elusive

Al Jazeera (July 30, 2023): Palestinian rival governments form ‘reconciliation committee’: In latest attempt at reconciliation, Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have met for rare face-to-face talks in Egypt.

Past Middle East Elections

Turkey General Elections: May 14, 2023

Kristina Jovanovski, The Media Line (July 30, 2023): Turkey’s constitutional conundrum: Erdogan’s ‘libertarian’ pledge raises alarm bells: The Turkish president’s desire to replace the post-coup constitution fuels concerns about autocracy and civil liberties

Martin Makaryan, Inkstick Media (July 28, 2023): Turkey’s Young People Wonder What’s Next As Erdoğan Starts Another Term

Regional Analysis

Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs (August 1, 2023): Is the Middle East’s Makeover a Mirage?

Middle East Elections Coming Up in 2023

Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): ongoing

United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Elections (indirect elections, advisory body with limited powers): October 7, 2023

Israel Local Elections: October 31, 2023

Pakistan General Elections: By November 10, 2023 (early elections possible)

Oman Consultative Assembly Elections (advisory body with limited power): October 2023 (due)

Iraq Regional Elections: December 18, 2023

Kurdistan (Iraq) Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: November 18, 2023 (delays possible)

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.

August 2023 Election Outlook

August 12, 2023

Malaysia, State Elections in 6 out of 13 States

August 13, 2023

Argentina Presidential Primaries and Provincial Elections in Santa Cruz

August 14, 2023

Trinidad and Tobago Local Elections

August 20, 2023

Ecuador Snap Presidential and Legislative Elections

Guatemala General Election Runoffs

August 23, 2023

Zimbabwe General Elections

August 26, 2023

Gabon Presidential Election

A polling station in Ecuador in 2013. Photo credit: Flickr/Cancillería del Ecuador (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Middle East This Week: July 18, 2023

July 18, 2023

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.

The Saladin Citadel in Cairo, Egypt. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Ahmed L. Badawy (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Upcoming Middle East Elections

UAE Federal National Council Elections: October 7, 2023 (consultative body with little real power)

Waheed Abbas, Khaleej Times (July 17, 2023): UAE elections: All you need to know about FNC polls in 2023

Iraq Kurdistan Regional Elections: and Provincial Elections

Dana Taib Menmy, The New Arab (July 12, 2023): Scorching summer heat in Iraq sparks fears of low voter turnout for provincial elections

Pakistan General Elections: By November 10, 2023 (early elections possible)

Munir Ahmed, AP (July 17, 2023): Dozens of followers of Pakistan’s Imran Khan quit his party and launch their own ahead of elections

Ismail Dilawar and Kamran Haider, Bloomberg (July 13, 2023): Pakistan’s Coalition Government to Step Down Next Month

Egypt Presidential Election: April 2024

Al Jazeera (July 11, 2023): Egyptians launch online campaign for Gamal Mubarak as president

Palestinian Authority General Elections: Long Overdue

Shira Rubin, Washington Post (July 12, 2023): The Palestinian Authority, teetering on collapse, is tested in Jenin

Dov Waxman, The Conversation (July 14, 2023): The Conversation: Palestinian Authority faces legitimacy crisis

Lebanon Presidential Election: Ongoing

United States Department of State (July 17, 2023): Joint Statement on Lebanon

Past Middle East Elections

Turkey General Elections: May 14, 2023

Grady Wilson, Atlantic Council (July 14, 2023): With re-election behind him, Erdogan is turning toward the West

Karl Ritter and Andrew Wilks, AP (July 12, 2023): Turkey’s Erdogan says lawmakers will take up ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership in October

Middle East Elections Coming Up in 2023

Turkey and Pakistan are due to hold elections that determine who runs the government. In addition, long-overdue elections in the Palestinian Authority and Libya could take place in 2023, but don’t hold your breath.

Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): ongoing

United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Elections (indirect elections, advisory body with limited powers): October 7, 2023

Pakistan General Elections: October 12, 2023 (due – snap elections possible)

Israel Local Elections: October 2023 (due)

Oman Consultative Assembly Elections (advisory body with limited power): October 2023 (due)

Iraq Regional Elections: November 6, 2023

Kurdistan (Iraq) Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: November 18, 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.

Africa

July 17, 2023

A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week.

A street in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Erik Cleves Kristensen (CC BY 2.0)

Upcoming Africa Elections

Central African Republic Constitutional Referendum: July 30, 2023

Africanews (July 17, 2023): Central African Republic: Touadera launches campaign for new constitution referendum

Al Jazeera (July 17, 2023): Wagner forces arrive in CAR before referendum: The constitutional referendum on July 30 could abolish term limits and allow President Touadera to run for office in 2025

Africanews and AFP (July 15, 2023): CAR: A few hundreds rally against draft Constitution

Andres Schipani, Financial Times (July 13, 2023): Wagner faces challenge in African stronghold: Divisive vote in Central African Republic is first serious test for the mercenary group since Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny

Zimbabwe General Elections: August 23, 2023

Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux (July 12, 2023): Zimbabwe bishops urge August elections to be ‘different’

Lenin Ndebele, News24 (July 12, 2023): Zimbabwe elections: Banning Kasukuwere ‘an own goal’, says opposition

Farai Mutsaka, Christian Science Monitor (July 10, 2023): Free, fair election? Zimbabwe government cracks down on opposition

Gabon Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: August 26, 2023

AFP (July 10, 2023): Gabon’s President Bongo says will vie for a third term in August

Madagascar

Africanews with AFP (July 12, 2023): 

Democratic Republic of the Congo Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 20, 2023

Melissa Chemam with RFI (July 17, 2023): Political killing in DRC casts a shadow over plans for December elections

Reuters (July 13, 2023): Congo opposition spokesman shot dead months before election

Senegal Presidential Election: February 2024 (due)

Africanews (July 15, 2023): Senegal: Opposition politician Sonko declared presidential candidate by his party

Nick, Roll, Al Jazeera (July 14, 2023): Succeeding Sall: Who will be Senegal’s next president in 2024?

Wahany Johnson Sambou, Africanews (July 10, 2023): Senegal gearing up for 2024 elections with front runners undecided yet

South Sudan General Elections: 2024 (maybe)

Fred Oluoch, The East African (July 10, 2023): Numerous hurdles ahead of South Sudan’s first-ever general election

Selam Tadesse Demissie, Institute for Security Studies (July 10, 2023): Sudan’s crisis could delay South Sudan’s already slow transition

Past Africa Elections

Sierra Leone Presidential and Legislative Elections: June 24, 2023

Yinka Ibukun, Bloomberg (July 14, 2023): US Questions Vote That Extended Sierra Leone President’s Mandate

United States Department of State (July 14, 2023): On Sierra Leone’s Election

Equatorial Guinea Snap General Elections: November 20, 2022

AFP (July 10, 2023): EU Condemns Jailing Of E.Guinea Opposition Figure

Angola General Elections: August 24, 2022

ACI Africa (July 13, 2023): Catholic Bishops in Angola Advocate for Municipal Government Structure

Africa Elections Coming Up in 2023

Seven countries in Africa are scheduled to elections that will determine who heads the government: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In addition, Sudan has talked about holding long-delays general elections in July, but additional delays are possible. 

Mali Local Elections: June 2023 (due – delays possible)

Zimbabwe General Elections: August 23, 2023

Gabon Presidential Election: August 26, 2023

Eswatini Parliamentary and Local Elections: September 29, 2023

Gabon Legislative Elections: September 2023 (due)

Liberia Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 10, 2023

Mozambique Local Elections: October 11, 2023

Nigeria, Gubernatorial Elections in Imo State, Kogi State, and Bayelsa State: November 11, 2023

Madagascar Presidential Election: October 2023 (due)

Mali Legislative Elections: October 2023 (due – delays possible)

Democratic Republic of the Congo Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 20, 2023

Togo Legislative and Regional Elections: December 2023 (due)

Côte d’Ivoire Local Elections (due in 2023)

Comoros Gubernatorial Elections (due in 2023)

Ghana Local Elections (due in 2023)

Guinea-Bissau Local Elections (due in 2023)

Guinea Local Elections (due in 2023 – delays possible to to coup situation)

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.