January 5, 2024
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.
Bangladesh’s parliament building. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Micah Parker (CC BY 2.0)
Table Setter
In his New Year address, Chinese president Xi Jinping on the one hand admitted that China’s economy is in trouble, but on the other hand, said that reunification with Taiwan is “inevitable.”
In the shadow of the dragon, a number countries in the Asia/Pacific region are due to hold elections this year.
This month, we’re watching parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and general elections in Taiwan. Bangladesh has been criticized for sliding into authoritarianism, and with the main opposition Bangladesh National Party boycotting the January 7 vote, incumbent PM Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League are almost certain to stay in power. But Bangladesh has grown in geopolitical importance and therefore, the vote will be watched closely.
Taiwan’s January 13 vote is one of the most important of the year as China ramps up its military aggression. The presidential race is a three-way contest featuring current Vice President William Lai of the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, challenged by New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang and former Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party. The DPP has taken a stronger stance for Taiwan’s independence (short of actually declaring formal independence).
Additionally, Bhutan, the site of heated geopololitical competition between India and China, will choose a new parliament on January 9.
Other crucial votes to watch this year include India and Indonesia (which set a record for the world’s biggest election day in 2019, with more than 200 million voters). In addition, South Korea has legislative elections, which will be an important barometer as tensions in the region heat up.
Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: January 7, 2024
Kelly Ng and Akbar Hossain, BBC (January 5, 2024): Bangladesh election: Lopsided polls leave disillusioned voters asking ‘what’s the point’
PTI (January 5, 2024): Opposition BNP calls for 48-hour general strike in Bangladesh demanding resignation of government
Faisal Mahmud, Nikkei Asia (January 4, 2024): Bangladesh ruling party accused of intimidation to spur election turnout: Observers call this Sunday’s polls ‘bizarre’ and ‘farcical’ as opposition boycotts
Reuters (January 3, 2024): Bangladesh deploys army to keep peace ahead of Sunday’s election
Lionel Lim, Fortune (January 3, 2024): The Nobel-winning banker behind the microfinance movement faces six months in jail, and supporters think it’s politically motivated
Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D., USIP (January 2, 2024): What Does Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election Mean for its Foreign Policy?
Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC (January 2, 2024): Bangladesh elections: Why India matters across the border
Faisal Mahmud, Al Jazeera (January 2, 2024): Bangladesh cricket star Shakib Al Hasan’s election run divides hometown
Times of India (December 31, 2023): Bangladesh & Pakistan: Tale of two elections, and implications for India
Ashikur Rahman, Indian Express (December 30, 2023): Decoding Bangladesh election: Sheikh Hasina’s manifesto, economic challenges, and the crucial West factor
Bhutan Parliamentary Elections: January 9, 2024
AFP (January 5, 2024): India, China eye strategic areas bordering ‘last barrier’ Bhutan
Salman Akhtar, BNN (January 5, 2024): Bhutan’s Parliamentary Elections: A Geopolitical Chessboard for India and China
Taiwan Presidential and Legislative Elections: January 13, 2024
Reuters (January 4, 2024): Taiwan says will publish analysis of China’s alleged election interference post vote
Yew Lun Tian and James Pomfret, Reuters (January 3, 2024): ‘Hawkish’ China military squeeze on Taiwan likely after election
Lev Nachman and Wen-Ti Sung, Atlantic Council (January 3, 2024): Why Beijing’s latest pre-election attempt to coerce Taiwanese voters could backfire
Joyu Wang, Wall Street Journal (January 3, 2024): China’s Balloons Are Back. This Time They Are Over Taiwan.
William Yang, Voice of America (January 3, 2024): China Ramps Up Intimidation Campaign Ahead of Taiwan Election
James Baron, UnHerd (January 3, 2024): Is Ko Wen-je China’s man in Taiwan?
Victor Jack, Politico (December 31, 2023): China’s Xi says reunification with Taiwan ‘inevitable,’ ahead of crucial vote on island
Indonesia, Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: February 14, 2024
Randy Mulyanto, CNBC (January 3, 2024): Indonesians head to the polls in February. Here are key issues dominating the elections
Prashanth Parameswaran, GIS (January 3, 2024): Indonesia’s foreign policy after the 2024 presidential elections
South Korea Legislative Elections: April 10, 2024
Jack Kim, Reuters (January 3, 2024): South Korea opposition leader in ICU after knife attack amid calls for stronger security
Steven Borowiec, Nikkei Asia (January 2, 2024): South Korea politician stabbing adds to tension ahead of elections
India Parliamentary Elections: May 2024
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Under Modi, India’s Democracy Is on Its Last Legs
Times of India (December 30, 2023): From elections in 9 states to opposition uniting as INDIA: Defining political moments of 2023
Maldives Parliamentary Elections: Spring 2024 (due)
Raajje (January 5, 2024): Date for parliamentary polls to be announced next week
Australia Federal Parliamentary Elections: Due By May 2025 (earlier elections possible)
Justine Landis-Hanley, Canberra Times (January 4, 2024): Don’t expect to head to the polls yet: PM looks towards 2025 election
Bryant Hevesi, Sky News (January 3, 2024): Anthony Albanese reiterates call for four-year federal election terms amid questions about potential 2024 poll
Past Asia/Pacific Elections
Hong Kong District Council Elections: December 10, 2023
Hong Kong Free Press (January 1, 2024): Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 42
Lllewellyn Cheung, South China Morning Post (December 29, 2023 – video): The last days of Hong Kong’s opposition district councillors after election overhaul
Marshall Islands General Elections: November 20, 2023
Giff Johnson, Marianas Variety (January 2, 2024): It’s final: 40% of parliament seats change hands in Marshall Islands
Giff Johnson, Radio New Zealand (December 30, 2023): Marshall Islands election results declared as high-profile incumbents lose re-election
Regional News and Analysis
Rhea Mogul, CNN (December 30, 2023): More than a billion people will head to the polls across South Asia in 2024
David Hutt, DW (December 30, 2023): What’s in store for EU-Southeast Asia ties in 2024? Two significant elections scheduled for 2024 could swing relations between the European Union and Southeast Asia.
Joseph Rachman, Foreign Policy (December 29, 2023): Gaza Is a Burning Topic for Southeast Asia’s Domestic Politics
Europe This Week: January 10, 2024
Last Updated: January 19, 2024 by 21votes Leave a Comment
January 10, 2024
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Europe, usually posted on Wednesdays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Voting in France some years ago. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Rama (CeCILL)
Upcoming Europe Elections
Finland Presidential Election: January 28, 2024
YLE News (January 9, 2024): A really simple guide to Finland’s 2024 presidential election
Portugal Snap Parliamentary Elections: March 10, 2024
Thomas Cabral, AFP (January 7, 2024): Portugal’s Socialists Formalise Costa Successor As Leader
Sergio Goncalves and Catarina Demony, Reuters (January 5, 2024): Portugal’s main opposition seals pre-electoral alliance with right-wing party CDS-PP
Slovakia Presidential Election: March 23, 2024
Raphael Minder, Financial Times (January 8, 2024): Boost for Eurosceptic Slovak leader as ally signals presidential bid: Prime Minister Robert Fico could cement grip on power if coalition partner Peter Pellegrini wins March election
European Union, European Parliament Elections: June 6-9, 2024
Eddie Wax and Barbara Moens, Politico (January 10, 2024): Nicolas Schmit gets German backing to lead Socialists’ EU election campaign
Politico (January 9, 2024): What Charles Michel’s decision to run for EU election means for him and Europe: European Council chief says he will contest June’s vote, which could pave the way for Viktor Orbán to host leaders’ meetings.
Mared Gwyn Jones and Sandor Zsiros, Euronews (January 8, 2024): Charles Michel’s election bid sparks race to stop Orbán from taking European Council reins
Belgium Parliamentary and Regional Elections: June 9, 2024
Clothilde Goujard, Politico (January 6, 2024): Former Qatargate judge Michel Claise may run in Belgian elections: La Libre
Germany State Elections in Saxony and Thuringia: September 1, 2024 and Brandenburg: September 22, 2024 (federal elections due by October 2025)
AP (January 8, 2024): German opposition figure launches a new party that may have potential against the far-right
Ido Vock, BBC (January 8, 2024): Sahra Wagenknecht: German politician launches ‘left-wing conservative’ party
James Rothwell, The Telegraph (January 7, 2024): Olaf Scholz and Germany’s political mainstream facing a miserable 2024: Voters looks likely to be drawn towards fringe movements in approaching European and local elections
Robert Semonsen, European Conservative (January 5, 2024): Germany’s Former Domestic Spy Boss To Found New Party: If it can establish itself as a viable political force before elections in eastern Germany in September, the new conservative party could render the firewall against the AfD irrelevant.
Euractiv (January 3, 2024): German conservatives hope for boost in mini repeat election
United Kingdom General Elections: Due by January 2024 (earlier elections likely)
Jim Pickard and Anna Gross, Financial Times (January 4, 2024): Rishi Sunak signals UK election will be held in autumn
Jill Lawless, AP (January 4, 2024): With 2024 being a UK election year, the opposition wants an early vote. PM Rishi Sunak is in no rush
Ireland General Elections: By March 2025 (earlier elections possible)
Cormac McQuinn, Irish Times (January 7, 2024): Taoiseach dismisses idea of ‘super-election’ in June
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland Assembly Elections: By May 2027 (earlier elections possible)
Claudia Savage, Rebecca Black and Jonathan McCambridge, PA, (January 8, 2024): Fresh Stormont elections or governments must find an alternative – Murphy
Shawn Pogatchnik, Politico (January 5, 2024): Sinn Féin walks immigration tightrope toward power in Ireland: Mary Lou McDonald seeks support on the left as she eyes victory — even as her nationalist party’s grassroots veers right over migration.
Jude Webber, Financial Times (January 4, 2024): Sinn Féin leader eyes power in Ireland after wilderness years: Mary Lou McDonald focuses on economy more than reunification ahead of general election
Past Europe Elections
Serbia Parliamentary Elections: December 17, 2023
Ali Login, Andrew Corkery, and Harry Zahn, AP (January 6, 2024): The wider implications of Serbia’s disputed election results and mass protests
Mirko Dautovic, Balkan Insight (January 5, 2024): Serbia’s Elections – Defeat for Far Right, as well as Moderate Opposition
Lili Bayer, The Guardian (January 4, 2024): Serbia opposition doubles down on election fraud claims as full results released
Netherlands Parliamentary Elections: November 22, 2023
Mike Corder, AP (January 8, 2024): Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders has withdrawn a 2018 proposal to ban mosques and the Quran
Dutch News (January 5, 2024): Wilders sounds off on social media, ahead of new coalition talks
Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections: October 2, 2022
Mared Gywn Jones, Euronews (January 9, 2024): Brussels warns of ‘serious consequences’ as Bosnian Serbs celebrate breakaway anniversary
Julian Borger, The Guardian (January 9, 2024): US joins Bosnia in show of support on eve of planned celebration by Serb nationalists
AFP (January 4, 2024): Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzevogina prepares to hold own elections
France Presidential Election: April 10, 2022 (next election due April 2027)
Helen Li, Semafor (January 10, 2024): Macron bets on France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister to boost popularity
Kim Willsher, The Guardian (January 8, 2024): French PM Élisabeth Borne quits as Macron seeks boost before EU elections
Regional Analysis
Simon Hankinson, Heritage Foundation (January 8, 2024): Border and Immigration Concerns Are Deciding Elections in Europe
Euractiv (January 8, 2024): Michel’s surprise: Is EU starting 2024 on wrong foot?
Aitor Hernández-Morales (January 4, 2024): Living Cities: Elections to watch in 2024
Middle East This Week: January 9, 2024
Last Updated: January 17, 2024 by 21votes Leave a Comment
January 9, 2024
Upcoming Middle East Elections
Pakistan General Elections: February 8, 2024 (delays possible)
Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera (January 5, 2024): Pakistan’s Senate approves resolution to delay February 8 general elections
Reuters (January 5, 2024): Pakistan’s senate approves delaying elections, but decision not binding
Ayaz Gul, Voice of America (January 4, 2024): US Urges Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan
Adnan Aamir, Nikkei Asia (January 2, 2024): Pakistan election or ‘selection’? Imran Khan’s exclusion all but sealed
Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Elections: February 25, 2024 (delayed)
Dana Taib Menmy, The New Arab (January 8, 2024): Iraqi Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections will not be held in February, Kurdish officials say
Iran Legislative Elections: March 1, 2024
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Iran’s Crushed Protests Leave Public Skeptical on Elections
Turkey Local Elections: March 31, 2023
Hamdi Firat Buyuk, Balkin Insight (January 8, 2024): Turkey’s Erdogan Nominates Ex-Minister to Re-Take Istanbul from Opposition
Taylan Bilgic, Bloomberg (January 5, 2024): Erdogan Rival Who Won Istanbul for Opposition Seeks New Term
Tunisia Presidential Election: Due in 2024
Olalekan Adigun, BNN Breaking (January 3, 2024): Tunisia’s Administrative Court to Rule on Election Challenges; Democracy at a Crossroads
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Tunisia’s Backsliding Democracy Turns on Migrants
Israel Local Elections: February 27, 2024 (general elections due October 2026 but earlier election possible)
Adi Hashmonai and Ran Shimoni, Haaretz (January 6, 2024): Thousands Protest Across Israel Calling for Elections and Netanyahu’s Dismissal
Peggy Cider, Jerusalem Post (January 6, 2024): Postponing Israeli municipal elections is a victory for IDF soldiers
Tia Goldenberg, AP (January 3, 2024): Israel’s Supreme Court delays activation of law that makes it harder to remove Netanyahu from office
Reuters (January 2, 2024): Only 15% of Israelis want Netanyahu to keep job after Gaza war, poll finds
Past Middle East Elections
Egypt Presidential Election: December 10-12, 2023
Lara Gibson, The New Arab (January 8, 2024): What lies ahead for Egypt after Sisi’s re-election?
Harry Clynch, African Business (January 5, 2024): What next for Egypt’s economy after Sisi’s re-election? Abdel Fattah al-Sisi easily prevailed in December’s elections but critical economic choices await as he embarks on a third term.
Regional Analysis
Ellen Knickmeyer, AP (January 8, 2024): From Houthis to Hezbollah, a look at the Iran-allied groups rallying to arms around Middle East
Amy Mackinnon, Foreign Policy (January 5, 2024): How the Gaza War Could Shape Global Politics in 2024
Africa This Week: January 8, 2024
Last Updated: January 15, 2024 by 21votes Leave a Comment
January 8, 2024
A weekly review of news and analysis of elections in Africa, usually posted on Mondays and occasionally updated throughout the week.
Upcoming Africa Elections
Somalia, Presidential Election Puntland: January 8, 2023 (indirect – by parliament)
Horn Observer (January 8, 2024): Puntland Decides: Challenges and dynamics of Puntland State presidential election
Mohammed Omar Ahmed, Bloomberg (January 6, 2024): Oil-Rich Puntland Region of Somalia Elects Leader Amid Tensions
Senegal Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 25, 2024
Al Jazeera (January 5, 2024): Presidential race setback for Senegal opposition leader after court rulings
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Senegal Tries to Beat the Odds in Africa’s Coup Belt
South Africa General Elections: Spring 2024 (due)
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Frustrated South Africa Wonders if ANC Is Still Worth It
Chad Presidential Election: By October 2024 (delays possible)
Moki Edwin Kindzeka, Voice of America (January 3, 2024): Chad’s Junta Leader Appoints Pro-Democracy Figure as Prime Minister
Cameroon Presidential and Legislative Elections: December 2025
Moki Edwin Kindzeka, Voice of America (January 4, 2024): Cameroon Opposition Calls for Single Candidate to Face Biya in Next Election
Past Africa Elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo General Elections: December 20-24, 2023
Ange Adihe Kasongo, Reuters (January 6, 2024): Congo’s election commission cancels 82 candidates in disputed December polling
Africanews (January 5, 2024): DR Congo Election: Catholic, Protestant churches demand inquiry before acceptance of results
Paul Nantulya, Africa Center for Strategic Studies (January 2, 2024): Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Persistent Crisis of Legitimacy
Jason K Stearns, BBC (January 2, 2024): DR Congo elections: How Félix Tshisekedi won chaotic poll
Sierra Leone General Elections: June 24, 2023
Umaru Fofana, BBC (January 4, 2024): Ernest Bai Koroma: Sierra Leone ex-president charged with treason over attempted coup
Regional Analysis
RFI (January 3, 2024): Year of elections has Africa poised for political shake-up in 2024
Martina Schwikowski, DW (January 3, 2024): Africa 2024 elections: Stability at stake?
Americas
Posted: January 6, 2024 by 21votes Leave a Comment
January 6, 2024
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
El Salvador Presidential and Legislative Elections: February 4, 2024 and Local Elections: March 3, 2024
J.D. Capelouto, Semafor (January 4, 2024): Drastic drop in murders caused the popularity of El Salvador’s president to soar
Marcos Aleman, AP (January 4, 2024): El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele takes his presidential reelection campaign beyond the country’s borders
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Can Anything Stop El Salvador’s Bitcoin-Loving, Backsliding Leader?
Panama Presidential and Legislative Elections: May 5, 2024
Rich Brown, Americas Quarterly (January 4, 2024): Meet the Candidates: Panama: Panama’s 2024 elections, shaped by last year’s protests, will take place on May 5.
Dominican Republic Presidential and Legislative Elections: May 19, 2024
Emilie Sweigart, Americas Quarterly (January 4, 2024): Meet the Candidates: Dominican Republic
Mexico Presidential, Legislative, Gubernatorial, and Local Elections: June 2, 2024
Rich Brown and Emilie Sweigart, Americas Quarterly (January 4, 2024): Meet the Candidates: Mexico
Edgar Guillaumin, Wilson Center (January 3, 2024): 2024 Elections: The United States, Mexico, and USMCA
Uruguay Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 27, 2024
Tara Hein, Americas Quarterly (January 4, 2024): Meet the Candidates: Uruguay
Venezuela Presidential Election: Due in 2024 (no date set)
Javier Tovar, AFP (January 5, 2024): Venezuela Enters Uncertain Election Year
José Enrique Arrioja, Americas Quarterly (January 4, 2024): Meet the Candidates: Venezuela – Venezuela’s elections are in doubt as the country prepares to vote in 2024
Kristina Foltz, Newsweek (January 3, 2024): Why Normalizing Venezuela’s Maduro Is Dangerous
Florantonia Singer, El País (January 3, 2024): Maduro plays the game of confusion with his 2024 presidential run: Chavismo could be considering other candidates for the election due to the Venezuelan president’s low popularity
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Venezuela’s Strongman Wonders Whether to Risk Free Elections for Sanctions Relief
AP (December 31, 2023): Venezuela says troops will stay deployed until British military vessel leaves waters off Guyana
Canada General Elections: October 2025 (due – earlier elections possible)
Rachel Aiello, CTV News (January 3, 2024): What Canadians surveyed think about the timing of the next federal election
Bolivia Presidential and Legislative Elections: October 2025 (due)
AFP (December 30, 2023): Bolivian court rules that former president Morales cannot seek re-election
Regional Analysis
Chase Harrison, AS/COA (January 4, 2024): 2024 Elections in Latin America: A Preview
James Bosworth, World Politics Review (January 2, 2024): Latin America’s Incumbents Will Have a Good 2024. Democracy Won’t
Natalie Alcoba, Al Jazeera (December 30, 2023): Year of the underdog: How ‘outsiders’ upended Latin America’s elections: From Argentina to Guatemala to Ecuador, voters rejected establishment candidates in this year’s presidential races.
Asia This Week: January 5, 2024
Last Updated: January 13, 2024 by 21votes Leave a Comment
January 5, 2024
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.
Table Setter
In his New Year address, Chinese president Xi Jinping on the one hand admitted that China’s economy is in trouble, but on the other hand, said that reunification with Taiwan is “inevitable.”
In the shadow of the dragon, a number countries in the Asia/Pacific region are due to hold elections this year.
This month, we’re watching parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and general elections in Taiwan. Bangladesh has been criticized for sliding into authoritarianism, and with the main opposition Bangladesh National Party boycotting the January 7 vote, incumbent PM Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League are almost certain to stay in power. But Bangladesh has grown in geopolitical importance and therefore, the vote will be watched closely.
Taiwan’s January 13 vote is one of the most important of the year as China ramps up its military aggression. The presidential race is a three-way contest featuring current Vice President William Lai of the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, challenged by New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang and former Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party. The DPP has taken a stronger stance for Taiwan’s independence (short of actually declaring formal independence).
Additionally, Bhutan, the site of heated geopololitical competition between India and China, will choose a new parliament on January 9.
Other crucial votes to watch this year include India and Indonesia (which set a record for the world’s biggest election day in 2019, with more than 200 million voters). In addition, South Korea has legislative elections, which will be an important barometer as tensions in the region heat up.
Upcoming Asia/Pacific Elections
Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections: January 7, 2024
Kelly Ng and Akbar Hossain, BBC (January 5, 2024): Bangladesh election: Lopsided polls leave disillusioned voters asking ‘what’s the point’
PTI (January 5, 2024): Opposition BNP calls for 48-hour general strike in Bangladesh demanding resignation of government
Faisal Mahmud, Nikkei Asia (January 4, 2024): Bangladesh ruling party accused of intimidation to spur election turnout: Observers call this Sunday’s polls ‘bizarre’ and ‘farcical’ as opposition boycotts
Reuters (January 3, 2024): Bangladesh deploys army to keep peace ahead of Sunday’s election
Lionel Lim, Fortune (January 3, 2024): The Nobel-winning banker behind the microfinance movement faces six months in jail, and supporters think it’s politically motivated
Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D., USIP (January 2, 2024): What Does Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election Mean for its Foreign Policy?
Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC (January 2, 2024): Bangladesh elections: Why India matters across the border
Faisal Mahmud, Al Jazeera (January 2, 2024): Bangladesh cricket star Shakib Al Hasan’s election run divides hometown
Times of India (December 31, 2023): Bangladesh & Pakistan: Tale of two elections, and implications for India
Ashikur Rahman, Indian Express (December 30, 2023): Decoding Bangladesh election: Sheikh Hasina’s manifesto, economic challenges, and the crucial West factor
Bhutan Parliamentary Elections: January 9, 2024
AFP (January 5, 2024): India, China eye strategic areas bordering ‘last barrier’ Bhutan
Salman Akhtar, BNN (January 5, 2024): Bhutan’s Parliamentary Elections: A Geopolitical Chessboard for India and China
Taiwan Presidential and Legislative Elections: January 13, 2024
Reuters (January 4, 2024): Taiwan says will publish analysis of China’s alleged election interference post vote
Yew Lun Tian and James Pomfret, Reuters (January 3, 2024): ‘Hawkish’ China military squeeze on Taiwan likely after election
Lev Nachman and Wen-Ti Sung, Atlantic Council (January 3, 2024): Why Beijing’s latest pre-election attempt to coerce Taiwanese voters could backfire
Joyu Wang, Wall Street Journal (January 3, 2024): China’s Balloons Are Back. This Time They Are Over Taiwan.
William Yang, Voice of America (January 3, 2024): China Ramps Up Intimidation Campaign Ahead of Taiwan Election
James Baron, UnHerd (January 3, 2024): Is Ko Wen-je China’s man in Taiwan?
Victor Jack, Politico (December 31, 2023): China’s Xi says reunification with Taiwan ‘inevitable,’ ahead of crucial vote on island
Indonesia, Presidential, Legislative, and Local Elections: February 14, 2024
Randy Mulyanto, CNBC (January 3, 2024): Indonesians head to the polls in February. Here are key issues dominating the elections
Prashanth Parameswaran, GIS (January 3, 2024): Indonesia’s foreign policy after the 2024 presidential elections
South Korea Legislative Elections: April 10, 2024
Jack Kim, Reuters (January 3, 2024): South Korea opposition leader in ICU after knife attack amid calls for stronger security
Steven Borowiec, Nikkei Asia (January 2, 2024): South Korea politician stabbing adds to tension ahead of elections
India Parliamentary Elections: May 2024
Allison Meakem, Foreign Policy (January 2, 2024): Under Modi, India’s Democracy Is on Its Last Legs
Times of India (December 30, 2023): From elections in 9 states to opposition uniting as INDIA: Defining political moments of 2023
Maldives Parliamentary Elections: Spring 2024 (due)
Raajje (January 5, 2024): Date for parliamentary polls to be announced next week
Australia Federal Parliamentary Elections: Due By May 2025 (earlier elections possible)
Justine Landis-Hanley, Canberra Times (January 4, 2024): Don’t expect to head to the polls yet: PM looks towards 2025 election
Bryant Hevesi, Sky News (January 3, 2024): Anthony Albanese reiterates call for four-year federal election terms amid questions about potential 2024 poll
Past Asia/Pacific Elections
Hong Kong District Council Elections: December 10, 2023
Hong Kong Free Press (January 1, 2024): Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 42
Lllewellyn Cheung, South China Morning Post (December 29, 2023 – video): The last days of Hong Kong’s opposition district councillors after election overhaul
Marshall Islands General Elections: November 20, 2023
Giff Johnson, Marianas Variety (January 2, 2024): It’s final: 40% of parliament seats change hands in Marshall Islands
Giff Johnson, Radio New Zealand (December 30, 2023): Marshall Islands election results declared as high-profile incumbents lose re-election
Regional News and Analysis
Rhea Mogul, CNN (December 30, 2023): More than a billion people will head to the polls across South Asia in 2024
David Hutt, DW (December 30, 2023): What’s in store for EU-Southeast Asia ties in 2024? Two significant elections scheduled for 2024 could swing relations between the European Union and Southeast Asia.
Joseph Rachman, Foreign Policy (December 29, 2023): Gaza Is a Burning Topic for Southeast Asia’s Domestic Politics