Andrea Innocenti The fall of 2026 promises to be a period of intense electoral activity in Europe and around the world. From Germany to Sweden, from the United States to Israel, numerous countries will go to the polls, with results that could redefine the international political balance.
Germany is in the spotlight with elections in the German states of Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on September 20.
In the capital, polls indicate a neck-and-neck race between the far-left Die Linke and the CDU , while the far-right AfD party is leading in the former East German state with 28%.
The rise of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt
The AfD 's triumph in Saxony-Anhalt , with 44% of the vote, has opened a season of elections designed to test the strength of moderate parties.
The German churches greeted this result with concern, fearing for social peace and the peaceful coexistence of citizens.
The Bishop of Magdeburg, Msgr. Gerhard Feige, has made a direct appeal to the AfD to fully respect the country's constitution. The president of Caritas Germany, Eva Welskop-Deffaa, expressed concern about the election results, emphasizing the need for change and the defense of democracy.
Elections in Sweden and Russia
On September 13, Sweden will vote to renew its Riksdag , the local parliament. The Social Democrats remain ahead in the polls, but their lead over the governing bloc led by outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has narrowed. Meanwhile, Russia will vote on September 18-20 to renew its State Duma, with Vladimir Putin's United Russia party expected to lead.
In Latvia, on October 3, the civic United List is leading the polls, but the populist and Eurosceptic "Latvia First" party is gaining momentum. In Bulgaria, elections for the new president will take place on October 25, with former Vice President Iliana Iotova leading.
Elections in Israel and the United States
On October 27, Israelis will vote for the Knesset in what is being described as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu's performance. Polls show the opposition ahead, with Gadi Eisenkot as the preferred prime minister. In the United States, midterm elections will be held on November 3, with Democrats favored to win the House.
In Estonia, the parliamentary election is scheduled for March 7, 2027. Polls show the conservatives of Isamaa in the lead, followed by the centrist Keskerakond and the Social Democrats of Sde. France will choose Emmanuel Macron's successor on April 18, 2027, with Marine Le Pen leading in the polls.
At the same time, Finnish parliamentary elections will also be held, with the center-left opposition SDP leading the way. In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's New Democracy is expected to decline sharply, challenged by both the new radical left ELAS and the right-wing nationalist "Greek Solution." In Spain, the bloc of the People's Party and the far-right Vox is expected to surpass 50% of national voting intentions.
In Poland, Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition remains the leading force, but it faces a right-wing bloc that is expected to win over 47% of the vote. Finally, in Slovakia, the liberal-progressive opposition party Progressive Slovakia is in a head-to-head race against populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD.