February 22, 2025
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in the Americas, usually posted on Saturdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Flowers for sale in Cuenca, Ecuador. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Cayambe (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Upcoming Americas Elections
Ecuador Presidential Runoff: April 13, 2025 (following first round on February 9)
Will Freeman, Council on Foreign Relations (February 20, 2025): Ecuador’s Next President Will Face Debt, Drought, and Gangs
Mie Hoejris Dahl, World Politics Review (February 18, 2025): Ecuador’s Presidential Election Is Inflaming Its Polarization Problem
Venezuela Legislative Elections: May 25, 2025 (postponed from April)
David Smilde, El País (February 19, 2025): Venezuelan opposition again following the siren song of an electoral boycott
Bloomberg (February 19, 2025): Venezuela Delays Vote as Opposition Demands Concessions
Mexico Judicial Elections: June 1, 2025
Amalia Pulido, Wilson Center (February 20, 2025): Judiciary Elections in Mexico: A Multilevel Approach
Bolivia Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 17, 2025
France24 (February 20, 2025): Bolivia’s Morales runs for president again, defying term limit
Argentina Legislative Elections: October 26, 2025
Manuela Tobias, Bloomberg (February 20, 2025): Argentina’s Senate suspends primary vote in reprieve for Milei
Canada General Elections: By October 20, 2025 (earlier elections possible)
David Ljunggren, Reuters (February 19, 2025): Canadian election race thrown open by Trump’s tariff threat
Haiti General Elections: November 15, 2025 (following lengthy delays – further delays possible)
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald (February 21, 2025): Caribbean leaders agree Haiti needs elections. The debate is on how soon they can happen
Caleb Mills, Geopolitical Monitor (February 18, 2025): Elections Won’t Save Haiti
Colombia Presidential Election: May 2026 (due)
Nicolle Yapur and Leda Alvim, Bloomberg (February 18, 2025): Leftist’s Flop in Colombia Sparks Wild Election-Bet Stock Rally
Joe Daniels, Financial Times (February 16, 2025): Colombia’s leftist government in chaos as elections loom
Brazil Presidential, Legislative, and Regional Elections: October 4, 2026
Manuela Andreoni and Luciana Novaes Magalhaes, Reuters (February 20, 2025): Streamlined charges against Bolsonaro may speed case ahead of 2026 Brazil vote
Jack Nicas, New York Times (February 18, 2025): Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss
Past Americas Elections
Bermuda (British Overseas Territory) House of Assembly Elections: February 18, 2025
Don Burgess, Reuters (February 19, 2025): Bermuda’s center-left PLP wins third consecutive general election
Regional Analysis
Will Freeman, Americas Quarterly (February 18, 2025): Latin American Organized Crime’s Real Target: Local Government
Africa
Posted: February 25, 2025 by 21votes Leave a Comment
February 24, 2025
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Beach at Cape Maclear near Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Stefan7 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Upcoming Africa Elections
Malawi Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: September 16, 2025
Nyasha Mcbride Mpani and Tamanda P Liabunya, Mail and Guardian (February 22, 2025): Malawi electorate’s only option is to recycle a president
Côte d’Ivoire Presidential Election: October 25, 2025
Samuel Ngambo, U.S. Institute of Peace (February 19, 2025): Côte d’Ivoire’s 2025 Elections: A Test for Peace in West Africa
Central African Republic General Elections: December 2025 (due)
UN News (February 20, 2025): Central African Republic faces ongoing challenges ahead of elections
Uganda Presidential and Legislative Elections: January 12, 2026
Rodney Muhumuza, AP (February 19, 2025): Ugandan opposition figure Besigye, looking frail, appears in court as calls for his release grow
Mohammed Yusuf, Voice of America (February 18, 2025): Uganda under fire for detention of opposition leader
Washington Post (February 17, 2025): Official says Ugandan opposition figure will be tried in civilian court instead of military one
Nigeria Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 2027 (due)
Chris Ewokor, BBC (February 21, 2025): Nigeria ex-military leader for first time admits regret over cancelled poll
The Africa Report (February 20, 2025): Nigeria 2027: Peter Obi’s Labour Party nears collapse
Niger Elections: TBD, following coup
Lewis Mudge, Human Rights Watch (February 21, 2025): A Bleak Future for Democracy in Niger
Dalatou Mamane, AP (February 20, 2025): Niger’s national committee proposes a return to civilian rule after five years
Past Africa Elections
African Union Chairperson Election: February 15-16, 2025
Cai Nebe, DW (February 22, 2025): African Union: New chairperson faces major challenges
Ghana, Council State Elections in Ashanti Region: February 11, 2025
Committee to Protect Journalists (February 20, 2025): At least 5 Ghanaian journalists attacked covering Ashanti elections
Mauritius Parliamentary Elections: November 10, 2024
Kervin Victor, The Africa Report (February 17, 2025): Jugnauth’s Paradise Lost: How Mauritius’s elite fell from grace
Yasine Mohabuth, BBC (February 17, 2025): Mauritius ex-PM bailed after ‘suitcases of cash’ arrest
Americas This Week: February 22, 2025
Last Updated: March 7, 2025 by 21votes Leave a Comment
February 22, 2025
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in the Americas, usually posted on Saturdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Upcoming Americas Elections
Ecuador Presidential Runoff: April 13, 2025 (following first round on February 9)
Will Freeman, Council on Foreign Relations (February 20, 2025): Ecuador’s Next President Will Face Debt, Drought, and Gangs
Mie Hoejris Dahl, World Politics Review (February 18, 2025): Ecuador’s Presidential Election Is Inflaming Its Polarization Problem
Venezuela Legislative Elections: May 25, 2025 (postponed from April)
David Smilde, El País (February 19, 2025): Venezuelan opposition again following the siren song of an electoral boycott
Bloomberg (February 19, 2025): Venezuela Delays Vote as Opposition Demands Concessions
Mexico Judicial Elections: June 1, 2025
Amalia Pulido, Wilson Center (February 20, 2025): Judiciary Elections in Mexico: A Multilevel Approach
Bolivia Presidential and Legislative Elections: August 17, 2025
France24 (February 20, 2025): Bolivia’s Morales runs for president again, defying term limit
Argentina Legislative Elections: October 26, 2025
Manuela Tobias, Bloomberg (February 20, 2025): Argentina’s Senate suspends primary vote in reprieve for Milei
Canada General Elections: By October 20, 2025 (earlier elections possible)
David Ljunggren, Reuters (February 19, 2025): Canadian election race thrown open by Trump’s tariff threat
Haiti General Elections: November 15, 2025 (following lengthy delays – further delays possible)
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald (February 21, 2025): Caribbean leaders agree Haiti needs elections. The debate is on how soon they can happen
Caleb Mills, Geopolitical Monitor (February 18, 2025): Elections Won’t Save Haiti
Colombia Presidential Election: May 2026 (due)
Nicolle Yapur and Leda Alvim, Bloomberg (February 18, 2025): Leftist’s Flop in Colombia Sparks Wild Election-Bet Stock Rally
Joe Daniels, Financial Times (February 16, 2025): Colombia’s leftist government in chaos as elections loom
Brazil Presidential, Legislative, and Regional Elections: October 4, 2026
Manuela Andreoni and Luciana Novaes Magalhaes, Reuters (February 20, 2025): Streamlined charges against Bolsonaro may speed case ahead of 2026 Brazil vote
Jack Nicas, New York Times (February 18, 2025): Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Plotting a Coup After 2022 Election Loss
Past Americas Elections
Bermuda (British Overseas Territory) House of Assembly Elections: February 18, 2025
Don Burgess, Reuters (February 19, 2025): Bermuda’s center-left PLP wins third consecutive general election
Regional Analysis
Will Freeman, Americas Quarterly (February 18, 2025): Latin American Organized Crime’s Real Target: Local Government
Asia This Week: February 21, 2025
Last Updated: March 4, 2025 by 21votes Leave a Comment
February 21, 2025
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.
Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections
Philippines Legislative and Local Elections: May 12, 2025
Andrea Chloe Wong, The interpreter (February 21, 2025): A family feud in the Philippines
Mong Palatino, The Diplomat (February 16, 2025): Election Campaign Begins in the Philippines with Marcos-Duterte War of Words
Straits Times (February 15, 2025): Philippines’ Marcos puts China at centre of poll campaign
Al Jazeera (February 14, 2025): Ex-Philippine leader Duterte suggests killing senators in a bomb blast
Australia Federal Parliamentary Elections: By May 17, 2025 (earlier date possible)
Josh Butler, The Guardian (February 21, 2025): Albanese’s appearance on Abbie Chatfield’s podcast was a calculated move in a tight ‘influencer election’
Singapore Parliamentary Elections: By November 23, 2025
Owen Walker, Financial Times (February 18, 2025): Singapore’s PM promises cash handouts in pre-election budget
Nicholas Yong, New York Times (February 17, 2025): Singapore Opposition Leader Gets Guilty Verdict but Can Run in Election
Bing Hong Lok, Reuters (February 17, 2025): Blow for Singapore opposition as court finds leader Pritam Singh lied to parliament
Hong Kong Legislative Elections: December 2025 (due – opposition candidates barred)
Hillary Leung, Hong Kong Free Press (February 22, 2025): Explainer: Hong Kong’s Democratic Party through the years – from its founding to looming end
Reuters (February 21, 2025): Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy party moves to disband
Eurasia This Week: February 20, 2025
Last Updated: February 28, 2025 by 21votes Leave a Comment
February 20, 2025
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Eurasia, usually posted on Thursdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Upcoming Eurasia Elections
Abkhazia (breakaway territory of Georgia) Snap Presidential Election Runoff: March 1, 2025
Abkhazia is a region of Georgia that has been de facto independent since 1993 and is dependent on Russia for financial and military support (Russia is also one of the only countries that recognizes Abkhazia as an independent country). Separatist militants and their allies committed ethnic cleansing and massacres against Georgians living in Abkhazia. Since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, Russia has occupied roughly a fifth of Georgia’s territory.
RFE/RL (February 16, 2025): Kremlin-Favored Candidate Faces Runoff in Georgia’s Abkhazia
Ukraine Presidential and Legislative Elections: Postponed indefinitely due to war (originally due in 2024)
Archie Bland, The Guardian (February 20, 2025): Why hasn’t Ukraine held elections since the war began?
Daniel Orton, Newsweek (February 19, 2025): Zelensky Responds to Trump Calling for Elections in Ukraine
Morgan Phillips, Fox News (February 18, 2025): Zelenskyy faces perilous re-election odds as US, Russia push Ukraine to go to the polls as part of peace deal
RFE/RL (February 17, 2025): Ukraine Preparing For Elections, Claims Zelenskyy’s Predecessor Poroshenko
Past Eurasia Elections
Azerbaijan Local Elections: January 29, 2025
Observatorio Balcani e Caucaso (February 18, 2025): In Azerbaijan, yet another election marred by violations
Belarus Presidential Election: January 26, 2025
Aleksandr Lukashenko has been president of Belarus since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The country last 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 its candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, had in fact won. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians took to the streets in protest to demand free and fair elections, even in the face of assault and arrest by security forces.
Lukashenko held a constitutional referendum on February 27, 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). The changes allow Lukashenko to remain in office until 2035 and scrap Belarus’s non-nuclear status.
Pablo Rad, Wilson Center (February 14, 2025): The 2025 Presidential Elections in Belarus: Just One of Many Problems for the Country
Georgia Parliamentary Elections: October 26, 2024
Alexander Atasuntsev, Carnegie Endowment (February 19, 2025): How Georgia’s Ruling Party Gambled on Trump—and Lost
Mercedes Sapuppo, Atlantic Council (February 18, 2025): Georgia’s pro-Kremlin authorities intensify crackdown on opposition
Europe This Week: February 19, 2025
Last Updated: February 28, 2025 by 21votes Leave a Comment
February 19, 2025
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Europe, usually posted on Wednesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Upcoming Europe Elections
Germany Snap Federal Parliamentary Elections: February 23, 2025
RFI (February 17, 2025): Failing economy, rising far right and Ukraine war define Germany’s divisive elections
AFP (February 17, 2025): US tensions add fire to final stretch of German election campaign
Adam Boulton, Sky News (February 16, 2025): German elections are usually dull affairs – but it’s different this time
AFP (February 15, 2025): German election favourite Merz sets out foreign policy plans
AP (February 12, 2025): Germany extends border controls by 6 months as election rivals focus on migration ahead of poll
Romania Presidential Election Re-Run: May 4, 2025 (runoff May 18 if needed)
Euractiv (February 13, 2025): What a supermarket boycott has to do with the Romanian election
AP (February 12, 2025): Romania’s Iohannis steps down, leaving caretaker president in charge until election rerun in spring
Albania Parliamentary Elections: May 11, 2025
Fjori Sinoruka, Balkan Insight (February 14, 2025): Mayor’s Arrest Deals Albania’s Ruling Party a Pre-Election Blow
Italy, Local Elections and Regional Elections in Apulia, Campania, Marche, Tuscany, Val d’Aosta, and Venice: September 2025 (due)
Alessia Peretti, Euractiv (February 13, 2025): Separatist sentiment on the rise in Italy’s majority German-speaking province: The separatist Süd-Tiroler Freiheit party, which has been climbing the polls, put out a campaign poster showing a pair of feet on a morgue table with a sign reading: “The doctor didn’t know German”.
Past Europe Elections
Greece Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): Concluded February 12, 2025 (after four rounds of voting)
Eleni Stamatoukou, Balkan Insight (February 12, 2025): Greece Elects New President Despite MPs’ Walkout Over Train Crash
AP (February 12, 2025): Greece’s new president is a leading advocate of bringing home the Parthenon sculptures from Britain
Kosovo Parliamentary Elections: February 9, 2025
Memaga Caglič, EU Balkan News (February 13, 2025): Kosovo Elections: A New Era of Political Uncertainty
Charles Kupchan and Thanos Davelis, Kathimerini (February 13, 2025 – podcast): Kosovo’s election and the stakes for the Western Balkans
Croatia Presidential Runoff: January 12, 2025
Borislav Visnjic, Balkan Insight (February 18, 2025): Zoran Milanovic Inaugurated for Second Term as Croatia’s President
Austria Parliamentary Elections: September 29, 2024
Tamsin Paternoster, Euronews (February 13, 2025): Far-right Kickl demands fresh elections after Austrian coalition talks fail
Francois Murphy, Reuters (February 12, 2025): Attempt to form Austria’s first government led by far right collapses
France Snap Legislative Elections: June 30 and July 7, 2024
Mariama Darame, Le Monde (February 12, 2025): French voters’ mistrust of politics aggravated since snap elections, gap with neighbors widens