January 9, 2024

A billboard supporting Egypt president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Photo credit: Wikimedia/BavKraft (CC0)

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