The other 2024 elections you need to know about – and why
The battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris may be the main election people are keeping track of right now, but this is just one country of many that will be choosing a new leader in the coming months.
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In brief…
- There are a host of parliamentary elections taking place across the globe in 2024.
- Some will be more significant than others, with Emily Maitlis keeping an eye on Canada and Moldova
- Georgia will also be an interesting to watch, according to Jon Sopel
2024 has been a jam-packed year for politics. With a new British Prime Minister in Keir Starmer, a new leader for the Democratic Party with Kamala Harris in the US, and a surprise left-wing victory in France – change has been coming thick and fast.
But it is only just getting started.
While the blockbuster US election in November may be what you have your eye on, Americans are not the only citizens going to the polls this year.
So from Algeria and Canada to Georgia and Iraq, which are the ones to watch?
Moldova
It might not be a country that crosses your mind very often, but the elections here could be more significant than you may realise.
According to Emily Maitlis, it will be “fascinating” to see what happens here as Moldova has a “pre EU government”.
Speaking on an episode of the News Agents, Emily said: “Recently, Canada and the UK have warned that Russia is trying to interfere.
“Russia is trying to make it a Soviet satellite, kick out the EU, bring in somebody who looks more Putin friendly.”
Emily adds that this will be a “big test” for Moldova as it could either pull towards the EU or be “ pulled back through disinformation into Russia's orbit”.
International concerns about Russian interference in Moldova have grown following its invasion of Ukraine.
The head of Moldova’s Security Service warned in 2023 there is a “very high” risk that Russia will launch a new offensive in the east of the country, which would give Russia a strategic advantage on the western front against Ukraine.
Canada
In Canada, Justin Trudeau has been in charge since 2015.
But that could all change soon.
Emily points out: “Trudeau who has been that golden boy who was once hailed as part of the new look politics when he came to power is incredibly unpopular now.”
Polls in Canada show Trudeau is far less popular than his Conservative rival, trailing by 10 points. His popularity started slipping when an ethics scandal rocked his inner circle. He was later criticised for his respond to Covid-19 and for a cabinet reshuffle in a bid to fix the economy.
This means the Canadian Tories will “probably win a landslide”, Emily claims.
That is, unless he pulls a Joe Biden and he walks before the election.
“That would be a pretty interesting thing to watch,” says Emily.
Is anywhere else worth watching?
Jon Sopel says: “I've done my research and I'm not getting tickled by any of them.
“We've got Azerbaijan, Algeria, Jordan, Romania, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Mozambique, and that's all before October.
“We go on to Lithuania, Moldova, Iraq, regional elections, and Georgia.”
Unlike the other countries Jon reeled off his list, he does admit that Georgia “will be interesting”.
This could be much for the same reasons as Moldova, being that it could either tilt towards being pro-EU or cave to Russian influence.
It comes after its ruling party, Georgian Dream pledged to more closely align the country with the EU back in 2021.
But critics say it has gone back on its promise, arguing it does not want to risk souring relations with Russia in a similar way that Ukraine did.