January 10, 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.
Lebanon’s parliament building. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Heretiq (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Ongoing Middle East Elections
Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): Continuing
Hanna Davis, Axios (January 4, 2023): Lebanon starts the new year without a president
Upcoming Middle East Elections
Tunisia Legislative Runoffs: January 20, 2023
Ghaya Ben Mbarek, The National UAE (January 3, 2023): Tunisian opposition members to be questioned after terrorism allegations
AFP (January 3, 2023): Tunisia opposition says hit by politically motivated probes
Pakistan, Local Elections in Karachi and Hyderabad: January 15, 2023 and General Elections: By October 12, 2023
Crisis24 (January 10, 2023): Pakistan: Protests possible into mid-January ahead of local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions slated to occur Jan. 15
Islamuddin Sajid, Anadolou Agency (January 10, 2023): Pakistan’s election authority issues arrest warrant for former premier: Election Commission of Pakistan orders Imran Khan, his close aides to appear on Jan. 17 in contempt case
Muhammad Bezinjo, The Diplomat (January 7, 2023): Pakistan’s Port City Gwadar in Chaos: The “crown jewel” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is under an internet shutdown after a crackdown on protests.
Turkey General Elections; June 18, 2023
Tom Wheeldon, France24 (January 10, 2023): Sweden, Turkey not expected to back down in NATO accession tug of war
Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg (January 9, 2023): The World’s Most Important Election in 2023 Will Be in Turkey
Shona Bhattacharyya, France24 (January 9, 2023 – video): Syrian refugees in Turkey: Politicians stoke tensions over migrants as election looms
Selcan Hacaoglu, Bloomberg (January 7, 2023): Erdogan Hints Turkey’s Election Could Come Earlier Than Scheduled
Sinan Tavsan, Nikkei Asia (January 7, 2023): Turkey says relations with China have soured over Uyghur issue: Ahead of elections, Ankara insists it won’t extradite anyone
Ayla Jean Yackley, Financial Times (January 5, 2023): Turkish court freezes opposition party’s campaign funds ahead of elections: Move is part of legal case that seeks to ban pro-Kurdish HDP for alleged terrorism links
Andrew Wilks, Al-Monitor (January 5, 2023): Turkey’s historic election could move up as Erdogan calculates: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a favorable vote schedule as he fights to extend his 20-year rule.
Anna Foster, BBC (January 5, 2023): Turkey freezes pro-Kurdish party funds before vote
Fulya Ozerkan, Times of Israel (January 5, 2023): Feuding hampers Turkish opposition’s efforts to unite against Erdogan: Despite recent gains, top 6 opposition heads failing to capitalize on veteran leader’s relative weakness, impeded by his stranglehold on media and courts
AFP (January 3, 2023): Turkey hosts Syria opposition after outreach to Assad
Erika Tarim, Radio Free Asia (January 3, 2023): Turkey won’t extradite Uyghurs to China, foreign minister says
Iraq Regional Elections: December 2023 (due)
Kurdistan24 (January 9, 2023): Kurds concerned about demographic change, voter registration in Kirkuk’s next provincial election
Jordan General Elections: November 2024 (due)
Laith Alajlouni, Atlantic Council (January 4, 2023): Jordanians are protesting again. It’s time for economic and administrative reforms.
Algeria Presidential Election: December 2024 (due)
Algeria is Africa’s biggest exporter of natural gas. It applied to join the BRICS in November 2022.
Foreign Policy (January 11, 2023): How Algeria Became Indispensable: Riding an energy export boom, the North African country is flexing its economic and diplomatic muscle.
AFP (January 8, 2023): Algerian poet denies claims he will challenge president’s reelection bid
Madjid Zerrouky, Le Monde (January 6, 2023): Dalia Ghanem: ‘The Algerian regime never intended to democratize’
Libya Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: Overdue
Marita Kassis, Al-Monitor (January 6, 2023): Libya rivals agree to pursue ‘constitutional base’ for settlement
Palestinian Authority Presidential and Legislative Elections: Overdue
Al Shakaba (January 9, 2023): The Legacy of Mahmoud Abbas
Past Middle East Elections
Israel Snap Parliamentary Elections: November 1, 2022
Emily Rose, Reuters (January 10, 2023): Israeli president urges polarised politicians to ‘lower the temperature’
Anshel Pfeffer, Unherd (January 6, 2023): Netanyahu is sacrificing Israel’s myths: His new government is rewriting the nation’s story
Time of Israel (January 6, 2023): Lapid predicts internal squabbling, popular dissent will see government fall by 2024
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, U.S. Institute of Peace (January 5, 2023): What Does Israel’s New Government Mean for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Nearly 30 years since Oslo, even rhetorical nods to the prospect of a two-state solution may be coming to an end.
Barak Ravid, Axios (January 4, 2023): New Israeli foreign minister faces criticism after remarks on Russia, Lavrov call
Al-Monitor (January 4, 2023): First call between Turkish, Israeli FMs overshadowed by Ben-Gvir: Turkey’s foreign minister told his newly appointed Israeli counterpart that the Israeli security minister’s visit to the Jerusalem holy site was “unacceptable.”
CNN (January 4, 2023): Israel’s rightward shift leaves its new Arab allies in an awkward spot
Bahrain General Elections: November 12, 2022
Ali Noureddine, Fanack (January 4, 2023): Bahrain’s Opposition: The History of the Movement’s Dissolution
Iran Presidential Election: June 18, 2021
Nassim Khadem, ABC News Australia (January 7, 2023): Iran’s regime is cracking under protests, but a challenge remains to ensure the revolution isn’t ‘hijacked’
Dr. Javad Heiran-Nia, Manara Magazine (January 5, 2023): Iran’s Protests: The Role of Power and the Weakening of the Reform Movement
Shervin Malekzadeh, The American Prospect (January 4, 2023): Remastering the Past for the Present in Iran: The next revolution will be a remix, not a rupture.
Regional Analysis
Rawan Radwan, Arab News (January 9, 2023): Why Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan rank among the ‘world’s angriest countries’
Sam Halpern, Jerusalem Post (January 5, 2023): 84% of Arabs oppose their country’s diplomatic recognition of Israel – poll: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority of Arab citizens from over a dozen nations responded that they would oppose the recognition of Israel.
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.
Pakistan, Local Elections in Karachi and Hyderabad: January 15, 2023
Tunisia Legislative Runoffs: January 20, 2023
Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): continues in January 2023
Lebanon Local Elections: May 2023 (due)
Tunisia Local Elections: May 2023 (due)
Turkey Presidential and Legislative Elections: June 18, 2023
Kurdistan (Iraq) Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: September 2023 (due – delayed from 2022)
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)
United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Elections (indirect elections, advisory body with limited powers): October 2023 (due)
Iraq Regional 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 This Week: January 10, 2023
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Last Updated: January 19, 2023 by 21votes
January 10, 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.
Ongoing Middle East Elections
Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): Continuing
Hanna Davis, Axios (January 4, 2023): Lebanon starts the new year without a president
Upcoming Middle East Elections
Tunisia Legislative Runoffs: January 20, 2023
Ghaya Ben Mbarek, The National UAE (January 3, 2023): Tunisian opposition members to be questioned after terrorism allegations
AFP (January 3, 2023): Tunisia opposition says hit by politically motivated probes
Pakistan, Local Elections in Karachi and Hyderabad: January 15, 2023 and General Elections: By October 12, 2023
Crisis24 (January 10, 2023): Pakistan: Protests possible into mid-January ahead of local government elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions slated to occur Jan. 15
Islamuddin Sajid, Anadolou Agency (January 10, 2023): Pakistan’s election authority issues arrest warrant for former premier: Election Commission of Pakistan orders Imran Khan, his close aides to appear on Jan. 17 in contempt case
Muhammad Bezinjo, The Diplomat (January 7, 2023): Pakistan’s Port City Gwadar in Chaos: The “crown jewel” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is under an internet shutdown after a crackdown on protests.
Turkey General Elections; June 18, 2023
Tom Wheeldon, France24 (January 10, 2023): Sweden, Turkey not expected to back down in NATO accession tug of war
Bobby Ghosh, Bloomberg (January 9, 2023): The World’s Most Important Election in 2023 Will Be in Turkey
Shona Bhattacharyya, France24 (January 9, 2023 – video): Syrian refugees in Turkey: Politicians stoke tensions over migrants as election looms
Selcan Hacaoglu, Bloomberg (January 7, 2023): Erdogan Hints Turkey’s Election Could Come Earlier Than Scheduled
Sinan Tavsan, Nikkei Asia (January 7, 2023): Turkey says relations with China have soured over Uyghur issue: Ahead of elections, Ankara insists it won’t extradite anyone
Ayla Jean Yackley, Financial Times (January 5, 2023): Turkish court freezes opposition party’s campaign funds ahead of elections: Move is part of legal case that seeks to ban pro-Kurdish HDP for alleged terrorism links
Andrew Wilks, Al-Monitor (January 5, 2023): Turkey’s historic election could move up as Erdogan calculates: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a favorable vote schedule as he fights to extend his 20-year rule.
Anna Foster, BBC (January 5, 2023): Turkey freezes pro-Kurdish party funds before vote
Fulya Ozerkan, Times of Israel (January 5, 2023): Feuding hampers Turkish opposition’s efforts to unite against Erdogan: Despite recent gains, top 6 opposition heads failing to capitalize on veteran leader’s relative weakness, impeded by his stranglehold on media and courts
AFP (January 3, 2023): Turkey hosts Syria opposition after outreach to Assad
Erika Tarim, Radio Free Asia (January 3, 2023): Turkey won’t extradite Uyghurs to China, foreign minister says
Iraq Regional Elections: December 2023 (due)
Kurdistan24 (January 9, 2023): Kurds concerned about demographic change, voter registration in Kirkuk’s next provincial election
Jordan General Elections: November 2024 (due)
Laith Alajlouni, Atlantic Council (January 4, 2023): Jordanians are protesting again. It’s time for economic and administrative reforms.
Algeria Presidential Election: December 2024 (due)
Algeria is Africa’s biggest exporter of natural gas. It applied to join the BRICS in November 2022.
Foreign Policy (January 11, 2023): How Algeria Became Indispensable: Riding an energy export boom, the North African country is flexing its economic and diplomatic muscle.
AFP (January 8, 2023): Algerian poet denies claims he will challenge president’s reelection bid
Madjid Zerrouky, Le Monde (January 6, 2023): Dalia Ghanem: ‘The Algerian regime never intended to democratize’
Libya Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: Overdue
Marita Kassis, Al-Monitor (January 6, 2023): Libya rivals agree to pursue ‘constitutional base’ for settlement
Palestinian Authority Presidential and Legislative Elections: Overdue
Al Shakaba (January 9, 2023): The Legacy of Mahmoud Abbas
Past Middle East Elections
Israel Snap Parliamentary Elections: November 1, 2022
Emily Rose, Reuters (January 10, 2023): Israeli president urges polarised politicians to ‘lower the temperature’
Anshel Pfeffer, Unherd (January 6, 2023): Netanyahu is sacrificing Israel’s myths: His new government is rewriting the nation’s story
Time of Israel (January 6, 2023): Lapid predicts internal squabbling, popular dissent will see government fall by 2024
Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, U.S. Institute of Peace (January 5, 2023): What Does Israel’s New Government Mean for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Nearly 30 years since Oslo, even rhetorical nods to the prospect of a two-state solution may be coming to an end.
Barak Ravid, Axios (January 4, 2023): New Israeli foreign minister faces criticism after remarks on Russia, Lavrov call
Al-Monitor (January 4, 2023): First call between Turkish, Israeli FMs overshadowed by Ben-Gvir: Turkey’s foreign minister told his newly appointed Israeli counterpart that the Israeli security minister’s visit to the Jerusalem holy site was “unacceptable.”
CNN (January 4, 2023): Israel’s rightward shift leaves its new Arab allies in an awkward spot
Bahrain General Elections: November 12, 2022
Ali Noureddine, Fanack (January 4, 2023): Bahrain’s Opposition: The History of the Movement’s Dissolution
Iran Presidential Election: June 18, 2021
Nassim Khadem, ABC News Australia (January 7, 2023): Iran’s regime is cracking under protests, but a challenge remains to ensure the revolution isn’t ‘hijacked’
Dr. Javad Heiran-Nia, Manara Magazine (January 5, 2023): Iran’s Protests: The Role of Power and the Weakening of the Reform Movement
Shervin Malekzadeh, The American Prospect (January 4, 2023): Remastering the Past for the Present in Iran: The next revolution will be a remix, not a rupture.
Regional Analysis
Rawan Radwan, Arab News (January 9, 2023): Why Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan rank among the ‘world’s angriest countries’
Sam Halpern, Jerusalem Post (January 5, 2023): 84% of Arabs oppose their country’s diplomatic recognition of Israel – poll: Perhaps unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority of Arab citizens from over a dozen nations responded that they would oppose the recognition of Israel.
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.
Pakistan, Local Elections in Karachi and Hyderabad: January 15, 2023
Tunisia Legislative Runoffs: January 20, 2023
Lebanon Indirect Presidential Election (by parliament): continues in January 2023
Lebanon Local Elections: May 2023 (due)
Tunisia Local Elections: May 2023 (due)
Turkey Presidential and Legislative Elections: June 18, 2023
Kurdistan (Iraq) Presidential and Parliamentary Elections: September 2023 (due – delayed from 2022)
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)
United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Elections (indirect elections, advisory body with limited powers): October 2023 (due)
Iraq Regional 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.
Category: This Week Tags: Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, Turkey