Taking a look at what elections to watch out for across Asia this year

There are a variety of interesting elections taking place across the Asian continent this year, from controversial ones in the Middle East to comparatively unremarkable local votes on the Korean Peninsula. Who is likely to win? Where will the power shift to?

Israel

In one of the most controversial elections of the year, Israel is set to hold a legislative election, which could see a change from the current regime that has led the nation during its war against Hamas.

October will see all 120 seats in the Knesset up for election. Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party currently holds 32 of the seats in the legislative assembly after securing 23.41% of the vote back in 2021.

According to opinion polls, Netanyahu’s party still leads with much of the public and remains the most popular party in the country, polling at around 28%. 

However, this support remains lower than the backing the party received during the nation’s last election. Though Netanyahu looks set to retain power, there is still quite a while before the election yet, and his performance in this period will be a crucial deciding factor as to how successful or unsuccessful him and his party will be in this controversial election.

Iraq

Israel isn’t the only nation holding a significant election in the Middle East this year. Lebanon and, more significantly, Iraq are also in the mix. 

Iraq has struggled in its bid for security since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. But gradually, the nation’s stability has improved through the adaptation of democratic processes and institutions, the presidency being just one example.

Though the president is indirectly elected by members of the Council of Representatives, the role is one of great importance to both the people of Iraq and neighbouring countries due to their role as a unifying figure with soft power.

There are many people who have had nominations for the position submitted. Eighty-one have been reported since the nomination forms closed. The list has not yet been made public, but the incumbent president, Abdul Latif Rashid, will likely retain his position as he is eligible for a second term and still has support from key parliamentary leaders.

Thailand

Moving further east, Thailand is expected to hold a general election in February with a constitutional referendum set to be held on the same day to allow the nation to determine whether the 2017 constitution should be replaced with a new one.

All 500 seats in the country’s House of Representatives will go to the polls, with 251 seats therefore needed for a majority. At the last election, no single party got near a majority, with the People’s party making up the largest party, but still only winning 143 of the House of Representatives’ seats – 108 seats short of a majority.

The incumbent People’s Party has fallen significantly in the polls since the previous general election. It now stands at around 35%. However, the party still leads in the polls with a significant lead over the next largest party, the Pheu Thai Party, which is polling at around 23% – though the lead is gradually narrowing.

Why is the political landscape in Asia important for the UK?

The political landscape in Asian nations, especially the Middle East, such as Israel and Iraq is incredibly important as stability in those regions helps to ensure global stability, not least efforts to reduce the threat of terrorism both here in the UK and abroad. The growing nature of economies in eastern Asia makes the region of notable importance, too, as these nations often produce goods which are sold to consumers here in the UK.

List of all elections taking place in Asia in 2026: