Global Elections Surge: 81-Year-Old Museveni Takes 7th Term as U.S. Midterms Kick Off
From Africa to America, a wave of elections is reshaping political landscapes—with some results sparking outrage, others hope.
In Uganda, 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term on May 12, four months after winning 71.65 percent of the vote in a general election [148347]. The inauguration at Kololo Independence Grounds extended his nearly four-decade rule, though the vote was met with widespread online mockery and brief internet shutdowns. His main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, received 24 percent [148347].
Meanwhile, the 2026 U.S. midterm election season has officially begun. Voters in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas went to the polls in the first major primaries, selecting party candidates for Congress and other offices [92282]. The results will shape the November ballot, determining control of all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats [92282]. Earlier, primaries in Nebraska, West Virginia, and New Jersey also kicked off the battle for Congress, signaling a fierce campaign season [146995].
In France, municipal elections are underway, with more than 48 million voters participating in the first round to elect mayors and local councils across 34,000 towns and cities [103520]. A second round will be held next Sunday in municipalities where no candidate won a decisive majority [103520]. The results are seen as a key test for political parties ahead of next year's presidential vote [103079].
In Malawi, voters in four constituencies and nine wards cast ballots in critical by-elections, with the Malawi Electoral Commission urgently calling for peace amid high political tensions [105167]. The results could shift the balance of power in local governments and the national parliament [105167].
In Bangladesh, millions of first-time voters headed to the polls in the country's first general election since the 2024 student-led uprising that ended the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina [74170]. International observers praised the election, noting "great enthusiasm" and high voter turnout, calling it a significant moment for the country's democracy [74679].
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa faces a revived impeachment inquiry after the Constitutional Court reinstated proceedings that his African National Congress party had previously blocked [148268]. With a new coalition government formed after the ANC lost its outright majority, the outcome remains uncertain as lawmakers decide whether to pursue the inquiry or shield the president [148268].
In Israel, the ruling coalition has submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset, paving the way for early elections amid political instability [148662].
Experts say upcoming U.S. elections could also influence the war in Ukraine, with some analysts suggesting the election cycle is creating pressure for a diplomatic solution to the conflict [147946].
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