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IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Local elections in France in 2026

A barometer for the presidential elections

In March 2026, six years after the last election, local representatives will be re-elected in France. As the last nationwide direct elections before the 2027 presidential election, the parties attach particular importance to this vote, even though local election results traditionally only reflect national sentiment to a limited extent. However, given the unstable national political situation in which this year's local elections will take place, this trend could change. Since the dissolution of the National Assembly in 2024, political control at the state level has been weakened, parliamentary majorities remain unstable and confidence in national institutions is under great pressure. It therefore seems that the political significance of the local elections could have a greater impact at the national level this time or be influenced by it. Accordingly, the focus is shifting to the local authorities: in 2026, they will become key touchstones of political credibility, capacity to act and organisation.

Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
February 5, 2026
Country reports
KAS/Althusmann

Is a ‘world order in upheaval’ leading Canada into a new leadershiprole?

Why geopolitical upheavals will redefine Canada's role in the international world order and in the transatlantic alliance

The ongoing trade war with the United States remains one of the country’s greatest challenges. Canada therefore intends to further expand its partnerships with Europe and the Indo‑Pacific region. As early as November 2025, Carney spoke of an epochal rupture and a shift toward a new world order that may be shaped by serious conflicts and a closer alignment among middle powers. The anticipated withdrawal of the United States could herald profound changes to the “old NATO” and necessitate a new security architecture. Canada will now have to demonstrate its readiness to assume greater responsibility and leadership as a middle power. However, the challenges facing the incumbent Carney government remain enormous—particularly on the domestic front. High unemployment, especially among younger generations, a shortage of affordable housing, and substantial defence spending require clear answers and a decisive political course. Prime Minister Carney and his minority government must deliver.

Dr. Bernd Althusmann, Marie Yamada
February 5, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam

New Mandate, New Benchmarks - General Secretary To Lam and His Epoch Making Reform Agenda

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam took place in Hanoi from 19 to 23 January 2026. At the country’s most important political event, more than 1,500 delegates elected a new 200 member Central Committee for the next five years, from which the members of the Politburo are drawn. This year’s Party Congress was pivotal for Vietnam’s development strategy, as it put to the test the most comprehensive reforms since the country’s economic opening in 1986.

Lewe Paul
February 2, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua

Right-wing populism wins elections in Costa Rica

The continuity of ‘Chavismo’ as an epoch-making turning point

Laura Fernández of the Pueblo Soberano (‘Sovereign People’) party wins the presidential election in the first round with 48.33% of the vote and secures a majority of seats in parliament for her party. The candidate of the long-established Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) achieved a historically good result, but was still significantly behind the frontrunner. The presidential and parliamentary elections on 1 February 2026 thus mark a historic turning point in Costa Rica's political history. The country, which for decades was considered a democratic exception in Central America, has experienced an election that goes far beyond the decision on individuals and party colours. At stake was the fundamental question of how Costa Rica should be governed in the future: through institutional dialogue, separation of powers and consensus – or through power-concentrated politics based on confrontation and structural system change.

Michaela Braun, Sergio Araya
February 2, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Avalon.red

U.S. Perspectives One Year Into Trump’s Second Term

“Move Fast and Break Things”

Showing strength, challenging traditions, and putting America’s interests—along with his own—first: the first year of President Trump’s second term has been a whirlwind of national and international change. Nowhere is this more evident than in foreign policy, where he has profoundly reshaped the role of the United States and challenged the existing order.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
January 27, 2026
Country reports
Michael Rimmel

Israel's scars after October 7: The return of the hostages and the national trauma

How the Hamas attack exposes social fault lines and calls old principles into question

On January 26, 2026, the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage in the hands of Palestinian terrorists, returned to Israel. The police officer, who belonged to an elite unit, had been fighting Hamas on October 7, 2023, when he was killed by terrorists and abducted to the Gaza Strip.  With the return of his body, there are no Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas for the first time since 2014. Now his family and the entire community can say goodbye. Ran Gvili symbolizes the two traumas Israel has suffered since October 7, 2023. The first trauma, the attack on October 7 that left over 1,200 dead, was followed by the second, the taking of 251 hostages, some of whom were held captive by Hamas for two years.  It is clear that October 7 was not the beginning, but rather a dramatic escalation of an already familiar pattern.

Dr. Michael Rimmel, Pascal Franz
January 27, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua

EU-Jordan Summit

A Symbolic Step for a Strategic Partnership

With the first bilateral summit between the EU and Jordan, both sides sent a signal of their intention to deepen the partnership at a time of heightened regional instability in the Middle East. Through its support for Jordan, the EU aims to strengthen the country in its stabilising role in the region and to contribute to Jordan’s internal stability, particularly by supporting economic resilience and growth. For the EU, the deepening of relations also provides an opportunity to position itself as a reliable partner and actor in the Middle East against the backdrop of an increasingly unpredictable US foreign policy.

Veronika Ertl, Laura Schranz
January 21, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

France 2026

A challenging year in the shadow of the presidential elections

France looks back on a year 2025 that was marked by political instability with a change of government, increasing social polarisation and growing dissatisfaction among the population. The year 2026 also promises to be hardly any more stable. In addition to the difficult budgetary situation, local and senate elections are coming up, and the 2027 presidential election is already casting its shadow. In this environment, the current government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu must navigate wisely, avoid an impending vote of no confidence and initiate crucial reforms for the country. This domestic political instability contrasts with the image that President Macron wants to convey of France on the international stage: a strong France that is committed to Europe and wants to strengthen its role in the world. So where does France really stand at the beginning of 2026, and can those in charge steer the country back into calmer waters?

Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
January 14, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua

Return to Constitutional Order? Presidential Election in Guinea

General Mamady Doumbouya remains in power

The presidential election held on 28 December 2025 marks, at least institutionally, a decisive turning point in Guinea’s recent political history. Four years after the military coup of September 2021, in which General Mamady Doumbouya overthrew the elected President Alpha Condé, the ballot was officially intended to complete the transition back to constitutional order. In practice, however, the conduct of the election, the field of candidates and the institutional framework raise doubts about its democratic character. Rather than a contest between political alternatives, the election appears primarily as an instrument to legitimise an already established military power structure.

Dr. Stefanie Brinkel
January 9, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Matrix Images

Parliamentary elections in Côte d'Ivoire

Consolidation of Alassane Ouattara’s power

The parliamentary elections in Côte d'Ivoire took place on 27 December 2025, shortly after the presidential elections, and were strongly shaped by this dynamic. They followed only a few weeks after the re-election of President Alassane Ouattara (RHDP), who won the presidential election on 25 October 2025 with 89.77 per cent of the vote in the first round, excluding the most promising opposition candidates, and who now governs the country for a fourth consecutive term. Around 8.7 million voters were called upon to elect the 255 members of the National Assembly. The elections also took place in a situation in which key opposition forces are fragmented. Shortly after the presidential election, the opposition party PPA-CI, led by Laurent Gbagbo, called for a boycott of the parliamentary elections.

Dr. Stefanie Brinkel
January 9, 2026
Country reports

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