Canada to Australia: How the world will choose its leaders, elections to watch out for in 2025

The year 2024 witnessed several monumental elections from around the world. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third term in office, in the US erstwhile President Donald Trump made one of the most significant political comebacks in American political history. The elections that played out this year raise questions about what is in store for 2025.

While 2024  was touted as the mother of all election years with 80 countries holding polls, the year 2025 will have fewer races. This does not mean that the year does not have the potential to be eventful. Here are some of the key races the world will closely watch next year. However, the list is not an exhaustive one. 2025 can also witness several surprise polls, given the political turbulence in countries like Israel, France, South Korea, etc.

Here are some of the key battles which can make the new year exciting in regards to the geopolitical arena.

Belarus Presidential Elections - January 26

Belarus’s president Alexander Lukashenko is expected to witness little to no challenges as Belarus heads to polls in January 2025. Lukashenko is touted as the “last dictator” of Europe. One of the main reasons for the title is the fact that the Belarusian leader has won every single election since the country became independent in 1994. Lukashenko has often been accused of rigging the polls and curbing the voices of dissent.

Many believe that Lukashenko often crushed his opponent with the help of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was not eager to see a neighbouring country embrace democratic change. The Belarusian leader will now run for the seventh term in 2025 with no challengers at the site.

Earlier this year, the draconian leader signed a law that gives him lifetime immunity and generous access to government resources should he ever step down as president. The same law also bars any presidential candidate from fighting from abroad. This clause was directed at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya,  who went into exile, despite many claims that she won the last elections in the country.

Kosovo Parliamentary Election - February 9

The European nation is scheduled to go to polls in February amid brewing animosities with Serbia. The election is believed to mark a milestone in the country’s fourteen-year history. Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Lëvizja Vetevendosje (LVV), or Self-Determination Party will become the first Kosovan leader will become the first political group to complete a full four-year term in office.

Polls in Kosovo are sparse, due to the turbulent political landscape of the country. Northern Kosovo is dominated by the Serbian population which operates as a separate entity. Not only this, Russia has been an ardent supporter of the Serbian cause, making things challenging for Kosovo. However, LVV looks poised to win a plurality, if not a majority, of seats in February polls.

However, the party has strenuous ties with the European Union and the United States, which often accuse it of enflaming tensions with Serbs. The LVV in turn accuses the EU and the United States of appeasing Serbia. Hence, the part will be facing challenges from both Russia and the West.

Germany Bundestag Election - February 23, 2025

The country is heading to polls earlier than scheduled because the governing coalition composed of Social Democrats, the Green Party, and the Free Democrats collapsed last month in the wake of conflicting policy visions. With the ruling coalition’s poor performance at the recent state elections, the centre-right Christian Democrats are now touted as the party to beat.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling in second raising concerns across Europe. The party recently bagged endorsement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats are at number 3. However, it is quite likely that the Bundestag will see another coalition government. Hence, the stability of that government will be the bigger question.

Australian Parliamentary Elections - May 17 and September 27

While the election of the Australian Senate will take place on May 17, all 150 seats in the House, which selects the prime minister, will be decided before September 27. Polls indicate that Incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s popularity has dipped significantly in recent months and centre right’s Peter Dutton has seen a major political rise.

Albanese is running on the slogan of “Building Australia’s Future,” which lays out an ambitious spending agenda on education, health, and other social programs. Meanwhile, Dutton pledges to “get Australia back on track” by taming energy, housing, and living costs. However, he is known for making many questionable actions, when he was previously in government.

Bolivia General Elections - August 17

The election in the Latin American nation will be all about the political rivalry between Former Bolivian President Evo Morales and his friend-turned-foe Luis Arce. While Morales is barred by the country’s court from contesting in the race due to his legal cases, the former Bolivian leader remained adamant about staying in the race and has been leading several protests across the country.

Meanwhile, Arce is deeply unpopular because under his reign, Bolivia’s economic growth has slowed significantly poverty is growing, and Morales and others have accused him of organizing a “self-coup” this summer in a bid to regain public favour. With the ruling party suffering from major cracks, the tensions can lead to the rise of a new political party in the forefront.

Canadian Federal Elections - October 20

Another significant election which will take place next year is the Canadian Federal Election, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party will witness significant challenges. Trudeau is heading into 2025 with less than one out of three Canadians approving of his job performance and some of his fellow Liberal Party members calling for him to step down.

Trudeau’s biggest rival in the race will be Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. While Canadian law requires the federal election to be held by October 20, it could come earlier—or even later. Interestingly, the deadline for the polls could be moved to October 27 because of the Hindu festival of Diwali.