After a year of elections in roughly 70 countries in 2025, 2026 is shaping up as another critical year for global politics and economics. Election outcomes can quickly influence trade partnerships, regulatory policies, and security postures as governments increasingly use sanctions, export controls, and investment screening as standard tools.
Latin America will be a focal point. Costa Rica votes on February 1, followed by Peru on April 12, in a system marked by recurring leadership crises. Colombia holds congressional elections on March 8 and a presidential first round on May 31. Brazil’s presidential election is set for October 4, with a possible runoff on October 25; as the region’s largest economy, its policy choices could shape regional growth priorities and trade negotiations. Haiti is slated for August 30, though uncertainty remains.
In the United States, midterm elections on November 3 will determine all House seats and 35 Senate seats, with even small shifts potentially affecting sanctions policies, defense budgets, and trade enforcement.
Europe also faces multiple elections: France’s municipal elections in March, Slovenia’s parliamentary vote in March, England’s local elections on May 7, Sweden’s general election on September 13, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Denmark all hold national votes in 2026. Outside the West, Israel must hold a Knesset election by October 27, and Bangladesh may vote early next year amid political uncertainty.
The 2026 elections are taking place in a digital era of heightened scrutiny. European regulators have pushed for tougher oversight of short-form apps as AI-driven narratives spread, prompting more regulation, takedown disputes, and counter-disinformation campaigns as election days approach.