Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
From the U.S. to Putin’s friend in Europe, elections in 2026 can have a huge impact on world politics.
2026 started with a bang, so to speak.
During the night between the 2nd and 3rd of January, the U.S. launched a military operation in venezuela, taking the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, prisoner, and after the operation, Donald Trump has voiced a thinly veiled threat against the leadrership of Venezuela’s neighbour, Colombia, saying military action “sounds good to him”.
The Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, pushed back against the POTUS, telling Trump to “stop slandering” the Colombian National leader, but no matter what, Trump will get rid of Petro in 2026, as the Colombians are heading to the polling booths.
But that is just one of the upcoming elections deserving of our attention in 2026.
Colombia
On March 8, Colombia will have to elect a new national leader, as the Colombian constitution bars Pedro to run for a second presidential term.
The outcome of the election will be important for future Colombia-U.S. relations, including the possibility of the U.S. launching a military operation before the election making the situation very volatile.
The election is scheduled to be held on May 31.
Peru
Another Latin America country is heading for the booths in the spring, as Peru will hold it’s General Election on April 12.
Protests in 2022-2023 tried to force the election to be held earlier after the ousting of the then-president Pedro Castillo, in late 2022 after he announced an illegal dissolution of Congress, prompting his removal and subsequent arrest.
Hungary
Putin’s best friend in Europe, Victor Orbán, is at risk of losing the power, he has vielded since 2010 (including a 4-year term from 1998 to 2002).
Since Orban resumed office in 2010, observers have accussed him of creating a democratic backslide in the EU-state, and during the war in Ukraine, Orban has repeatedly vetoed sanctions aimed at Russia.
The elections are scheduled to be held in April.
Brazil
In 2025, the former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced to 27 years in jail for an attempted coup, including several other crimes.
The big question heading into the 2026 elections is the question of amnesty for the former President – a question that divides the Brazilian right at the moment.
Another storyline is if the incumbent president, Lula da Silva, will seek a fourth term as president. In 2025, he said that he would seek re-election, but in 2024, he only said that, he would not rule it out, and it 2022, he said he would not run for another term.
The Brazilian elections will be held in October.
The United States
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate is up for election during the midterm elections for Donald Trumps second term as President.
The Republicans currently have the majority in both chambers of Congress, but if the Republicans lose the majority in the House, it can make things very difficult for Trump when trying to push new legislation.
At the midterms during Trumps first term in office, the Democrats took the majtority in the House, while the Republicans held on to the Senate.
The Midterms 2026 are scheduled to be held on November 6th.
Notable mention: Russia
While there are rarely any doubts about the overall results of elections in Russia, the Russion legislative election for the 450 seats of the State Duma in 2026 is still worth keeping an eye one.
There is no doubt that the majority of the Duma will consist of Pro-Kremlin politicians after the votes are counted, but changes can still be made regarding the different powerful positions.
The Russian legislative election is scheduled to be held no later than September 20.
