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Bangladesh -

On January 7, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term in Bangladesh's largely uncontested election. Following mass protests, she resigned in August, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now leads an interim government.

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Taiwan -

Taiwan's January 13 election saw the Democratic Progressive Party retain the presidency with Lai Ching-te's victory, but lose its legislative majority to the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang, complicating Lai's China-skeptical agenda.

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El Salvador -

On February 4, President Nayib Bukele was reelected with nearly 85% of the vote, while his New Ideas Party secured a legislative supermajority, despite concerns over democratic backsliding in El Salvador.

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Azerbaijan -

On February 7, President Ilham Aliyev secured a fifth term with 92% of the vote in a snap election, following his popularity surge after Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh.

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Pakistan -

Despite allegations of military rigging, February 8 saw Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates win a plurality in Pakistan's election, but a military-backed coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif ultimately took power.

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Finland -

On February 11, centrist Alexander Stubb won Finland's presidency with 51.6% of the votes, defeating liberal Pekka Haavisto. The campaign focused on national security, NATO, and relations with Russia amid ongoing tensions in Ukraine.

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Indonesia -

On February 14, Prabowo Subianto, endorsed by outgoing President Jokowi, won Indonesia’s presidency. His platform focused on economic development, neutrality, and a populist free school lunch program, continuing Jokowi's policies.

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Belarus -

On February 25, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994 and one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies, solidified his rule in a controversial legislative election. 

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Portugal -

On March 10, in Portugal's parliamentary election, the center-right Democratic Alliance, led by Luís Montenegro, won a slim plurality. The party formed a minority government, excluding the far-right Chega party.

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Russia -

President Vladimir Putin won a fifth term with nearly 90% of the vote in March in a widely criticized election, positioning him to become Russia's longest-serving president in two centuries.

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Senegal -

On March 24, after a controversial delay and mass protests, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became Senegal's youngest president at 44, winning by 54%. His victory over former president Macky Sall's preferred candidate marked a democratic shift.

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Slovakia -

On April 6, Peter Pellegrini, ally of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, won Slovakia's presidency, strengthening Fico's influence and rejecting the pro-Western opposition and outgoing PM Zuzana Čaputová.

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South Korea -

On April 10, South Korea's parliamentary election, seen as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol's policies and scandals, resulted in a landslide victory for the liberal Democratic Party.

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India -

India's parliamentary election, from April 19 to June 1, saw Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party win a third term, despite criticism over democratic backsliding and treatment of Muslims.

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North Macedonia -

On May 8, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova became North Macedonia's first female president. Her party, VMRO-DPMNE, also won 55 parliamentary seats, forming a coalition supporting Ukraine against Russia.

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Dominican Republic -

President Luis Abinader won a second term on May 19, supported by his economic policies and stance on Haiti, while his party grew its congressional majorities.

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Lithuania -

On May 26, President Gitanas Nausėda was reelected to a second term with over 74% of the vote, amid concerns over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, defeating Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.

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South Africa -

On May 29, South Africa's African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela's presidency in 1994. Cyril Ramaphosa formed a coalition with the Democratic Alliance.

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Iceland -

On June 1, businesswoman Halla Tómasdóttir won Iceland's presidency with 34% of the vote, defeating 12 competitors, including former Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

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Mexico -

On June 2, Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was elected Mexico's first female president, marking a historic milestone.

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European Parliament -

In June, people across the European Union voted for the European Parliament. The conservative European People's Party won 190 out of 720 seats, signaling a rightward shift. 

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Belgium -

In Belgium's June 9 legislative elections, the conservative New Flemish Alliance won 25.6%, retaining its lead, while far-right Vlaams Belang secured 21.8%. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigned, pending coalition talks.

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United Kingdom -

In the UK's July 4 parliamentary elections, the Labour Party secured a landslide victory, marking its first win in 19 years. Labour's Keir Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak as prime minister.

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Iran -

On July 5, Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran's presidential runoff, promising more international engagement. However, analysts say his proposals are modest, as significant decisions remain under Supreme Leader Khamenei's control.

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France -

In France's June-July legislative elections, President Macron's early call led to a surprising result. A left-wing coalition won the most seats, while the far-right National Rally came third.

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Rwanda -

President Paul Kagame, in power since 2000, won over 99% of the vote in Rwanda's July 15 elections. His party retained a majority, despite criticisms of political repression and lack of opposition.

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Syria -

In civil war-torn Syria, President Bashar al-Assad’s Ba'ath Party retained its majority in the July 15 elections, with just 38% voter turnout, further cementing his grip on power.

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Venezuela -

President Nicolás Maduro, accused of dictatorship, won Venezuela's 2024 election with 51%, but delayed results and exit poll contradictions raised skepticism.

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Czechia -

In Czechia's September Senate election, Prime Minister Petr Fiala's coalition retained its majority, while opposition party ANO made historic gains, winning eight out of 27 contested seats in the 81-member Senate.

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United States -

In the US November elections, former President Trump defeated Vice President Harris, while Republicans gained control of the Senate and the House.

Sources: (Time) (NPR) (The Guardian) 

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