Let’s hope 2026 is way better than last year

As Alan Austin reports, this year’s elections could continue or reverse the drift away from democracy.

Some of the nearly 40 elections to be held around the world in 2026 will significantly affect the direction of global alliances and the fate of people around the world. Some of them could change Australia’s future, but whether it will be good or bad is yet to be revealed.

First, let’s review the year that just ended.

2025 is over – finally

Twelve months ago, this column focused on three issues related to the beginning of that year. Will dissatisfied voters around the world continue to punish incumbent governments as they did in 2024? Will Australians emulate their American cousins and emerge a successful progressive party after a malicious campaign of blatant lies? How will a lifelong criminal con artist lead the United States again and how will this impact the country and the world?

The answers are not as discouraging as one might think. The 2025 elections produced mixed results; While there have been setbacks in social progress in Chile, Germany and Singapore, encouraging results have been achieved in Canada, Australia, Norway, Ireland and Romania.

Australian philosopher and global election analyst Charles Richardson reviews all selections on its website, The World Is Not Enough.

he told meA. that future prospects are still bleak:

‘…but objectively, it must be said that things are improving throughout 2025. This is because every year we avoid destruction is a step forward. But also because of many positive developments. Anti-democratic forces were defeated in Romania, South Korea and the Netherlands. The ceasefire in Gaza, however flawed, is better than nothing. Peace remains mostly in Libya and Syria.’

Changing administrations

In Germany, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Honduras, voters replaced progressive governments with conservative ones. They did the opposite in South Korea, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and also in the New York mayoral race involving a young, charismatic, Muslim socialist. Zohran Mamdani took charge of the city.

Conservative governments were re-elected in Portugal, Singapore and Hong Kong, while reformers returned in Canada and Australia; especially in both cases.

OECD Countries that currently have a woman as head of state or prime minister (or both) are Australia, Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Greece, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.

Democracy is still under threat

In 2025, devastating wars continued in Ukraine, Sudan and Palestine.

On the second one, Dr. Richardson noted:

‘A kind of peace was achieved in Gaza after a short regional negotiation’ increasing tension in the middle of the year, but the terrorists remain in power both there and in Israel.’

A feature of the 2025 elections, including Australia, was that most of the Trumpists failed.

Richardson observed:

‘Candidates are in alliance’ Donald Trump It performed poorly almost everywhere except South America, and even there records were mixed. The whole point of an anti-democratic movement is that it doesn’t care what voters think.’

Throughout 2025, the United States has experienced dramatic declines in internal social cohesion, economy, and respect for society. Constitution and the rule of law and its global authority.

A lot indicators As we said before, this has been the worst year for the US economy since World War II. Inflation is rising, unemployment is rising, manufacturing is declining, travel to the U.S. is down, household debt is rising, and consumer confidence is near an all-time low.

This is hidden by the masks that President Trump has. was fired professional statisticians and established loyalists who are credibly suspected of falsifying published figures.

I’m looking forward to 2026

New Zealanders will vote In October either continue the conservative coalition led by the Prime Minister Christopher LuxonReturning to the Citizens or Labor Party Chris HipkinsThe one defeated in 2023.

Neither outcome should affect relations with Australia. Albanian The government seems capable of dealing with anyone, as evidenced by Albo’s long-awaited personal meeting with Trump last August being hailed as a victory.

Hungary may reject authoritarian leader Viktor Orbana strong goal scorer victory four years ago and has now been Prime Minister for two terms, nearly 20 years in total.

The US midterm elections next November offer Americans a chance to shift control of the House and Senate from the Trump-dominated Republican Party to the Democrats. If this results in strong Democratic majorities, Trump’s power to destroy his country and undermine global peace and prosperity could be curtailed. Could probably be blamed crimes Since resuming the presidency, he has committed crimes, subsequently been suspended and subject to criminal prosecution.

This undoubtedly makes the November midterms the main action of 2026.

Other parliament elections planned for Russia, Israel, Thailand, VietnameseScotland and France. General elections that will determine both the parliament and the national leader will be held this year Swedish, DenmarkBrazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru. Presidential election is planned Portugal and Iraq.

Impending risks to global security

Brazil is a big concern for 2026, according to Dr Richardson:

‘I think the President Lula da Silva repeating Joe BidenThe mistake in 2024 and the former President Jair Bolsonaro He can’t escape, his son will probably forgive his father if he wins and of course he will. This could lead far-right forces in South America to support Trump’s worldview.’

According to Richardson, the bigger danger is this:

‘Trump’s pro-Russian strategy in Europe will either (i) lead to European capitulation and the installation of far-right governments that will be difficult to dislodge even after Trump is gone, or (ii) push Europe to resist and provide serious military aid to Ukraine, which could bring Putin closer to using nuclear weapons. If London, Paris and Berlin are still standing at the end of the year it will be a success.’

As this is written, it is early reports Footage of the US attack on Venezuela is being published.

Fasten your seat belts. This will be an exciting journey.