A breakdown of elections we can expect across the UK and Europe this year

Last year was packed full of elections both here in the UK at a local level and abroad. So, what elections can we expect to see in 2026 around the globe and what implications may they have on us here in the UK.

UK

Here in the UK, there may be no general election coming up, but there are a large number of key local elections scheduled for this year and voters in Wales and Scotland will get a say on who runs their devolved governments. 

There are a total of 5,036 council seats up for election this year across a total of 136 English local authorities, with the local elections taking place on 7 May. 

All 32 London borough councils, 32 metropolitan borough councils, 18 unitary authorities, six county councils, 50 district councils and six directly elected mayors are part of these elections.

West Midlands

Here in the West Midlands, all-out elections are taking place in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. While a third of councillors will be up for election in Dudley and Wolverhampton. 

With Birmingham City Council’s effective bankruptcy, a Labour government waning in the polls and surging support for Reform UK, the largest unitary authority in Europe is set to be far from a boring election.  

Wales and Scotland 

Both Wales and Scotland will be complex elections, too, with Reform’s popularity becoming prominent in the polling in both of these regions. 

An unpopular Labour government in Westminster is driving voters seemingly either to Reform or other nationalist parties of the respective nations in what can only be described as a surge in populism.

Mayors within the capital

Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford will all see elections taking place to decide their next mayor too.

Europe

Last year, there were several high-profile elections across Europe, especially in Germany and Poland. This year, we’re set to see similarly high-profile elections taking place in other nations.

Estonia

The Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament, is set to go to the polls in a presidential election in August, with the incumbent president likely to not seek reelection, likely resulting in the nation getting a new president. 

There are no clear frontrunners for this election yet, with such changes in the Riigikogu resulting in parties such as the Estonian Reform Party taking more dominance in the nation’s legislative epicentre, it’s incredibly hard to predict what will happen.

Denmark

Meanwhile, Denmark is set to hold a general election at some point this year, with the date yet to be determined, though it must be before 31 October constitutionally. 

With the incumbent Prime Minister set to stand for reelection, whilst the polls have demonstrated a gradual dip in popularity since the last Danish General Election, the outcome of the election is somewhat uncertain. The incumbent Social Democrats are falling below 20% in the polls and a proportional electoral system means the election could become a mess, especially with the recent success of the nation’s Green Left party in the European Parliament elections back in 2024.

Isle of Man

Closer to home, the Isle of Man is set to go to the polls in a general election. With populist forces such as the Isle of Man First party threatening to shake up the island’s typically apolitical elections, something which the island’s Liberal and Labour movements have both failed to do in previous elections. A shift towards populism.

Russia

Perhaps the most interesting election taking place on the continent this year is the Russian Legislative election.

It will see 450 seats at stake in the State Duma. The President’s United Russia party currently controls the legislative assembly with 321 of the 450 seats, with the CPRF holding the next greatest number of seats with 57. 

Opinion polling shows the United Russia party leads in the election significantly despite a slight decrease in ratings since March 2024. The backdrop of war and conflict in Ukraine will likely play on a lot of voters’ minds in this election. But with the previous legislative elections in Russia being closely tied with corruption and fraud, the legitimacy of any results in this election will likely be up for speculation.

List of all elections taking place in Europe in 2026: