Ekrem İmamoğlu, Turkey's main opposition challenger to Erdoğan, remains defiant from prison, claiming he is the legitimate candidate and criticizing the political motives behind his detention, which he believes aims to eliminate his candidacy and weaken opposition support ahead of the 2028 elections. Despite legal and institutional hurdles, he continues campaigning online and maintains support from a broad segment of Turkish society, emphasizing the importance of justice and democratic principles.
The 2026 midterm elections will feature key races for secretaries of state in battleground states, which are crucial for overseeing election processes and could influence the 2028 presidential race. These roles have gained importance due to their power to certify results and the recent political attacks on election integrity, making them a focal point for safeguarding democracy.
Missouri's legislative session is expected to be tense as Democrats plan to oppose Republican tactics like the use of the previous question rule, amidst ongoing debates over budget, taxes, and controversial issues like solar power and pharmacy regulations, all against the backdrop of an upcoming election that could influence the state's political landscape.
Senator Tom Cotton emphasized the need for Venezuela's new government to break away from Nicolás Maduro's practices, highlighting US efforts to promote stability, combat drug trafficking, and support free elections following Maduro's capture and the change in leadership.
Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leads in the first phase of the 2025 general elections, with low voter turnout of 52%, amid ongoing political instability following the 2021 coup and the detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The election process is criticized internationally, and final results are pending.
Democrats express concerns that Trump is attempting to influence the 2026 midterms through efforts like remaking congressional maps and potentially deploying federal agents, but White House officials deny these claims, emphasizing that election administration is handled by states and that such interference is limited by the Constitution.
Guinea's junta leader Mamady Doumbouya leads in a controversial presidential election, with main challengers banned and social media restricted, amid accusations of irregularities and concerns over democratic legitimacy.
2025 has been a tumultuous year for African politics, marked by coups, contested elections, protests, and a perceived decline in governance and democratic space, driven by economic dissatisfaction and youth demands, with regional and global influences shaping the continent's uncertain political future.
San Diego County is undergoing leadership changes across several departments, including appointments of Nadia Privara Brahms as Behavioral Health Services Director, Eric Shiotsugu as Chief Information Officer, and Shawn Brom as Registrar of Voters, with ongoing recruitment for other key roles to support the county's ongoing transformation and service improvements.
Vetevendosje, led by Albin Kurti, won a landslide victory in Kosovo's parliamentary elections, securing a third term amid ongoing political deadlock, with the electorate endorsing Kurti's leadership despite criticisms of his governance and foreign relations challenges.
Kosovo held its second election of 2025 to resolve a year-long political deadlock that has hindered government formation and international funding, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party seeking a majority amid opposition criticism and concerns over stability and EU support.
The Central African Republic is holding elections with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra seeking a third term amid ongoing conflict, peace efforts, and concerns over electoral irregularities and foreign influence, particularly from Russia and Rwanda.
Myanmar's elections have begun under military control amid widespread violence, with key opposition figures banned and large areas excluded due to ongoing conflict. The vote is widely condemned as illegitimate, with international observers present but the military claiming public support. Violence and repression continue, with arrests and attacks reported, and the UN warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Myanmar's military junta has initiated a controversial election amid ongoing civil war and widespread human rights abuses, with many citizens and international actors criticizing the process as illegitimate and a sham, while the military seeks to legitimize its rule and re-engage with the international community.
