Next year, 2025, won’t have as many elections as 2024, when people in countries that make up half of the world’s population went to vote. But there are still some very important elections happening! These elections will show how people feel about things like rising prices, big political fights, and the effects of wars in Europe and the Middle East.
Let’s look at the big elections in five countries: Belarus, Germany, the Philippines, Canada, and Chile.
Belarus (January 26)
In Belarus, the leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power for over 30 years! He’s running for president again in 2025, and no one thinks he’ll lose. That’s because there’s no real competition. The other people running either support him or don’t stand a real chance.
In the past, there were big protests because people said Lukashenko cheated in the elections. Many believed that another candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, should have won. She now lives in another country because it’s not safe for her in Belarus.
If Lukashenko wins again, Belarus will likely stay very close to Russia. It might keep helping Russia with things like storing weapons and being part of military actions.
Germany (February 23)
Germany will have an early election in February 2025 because the government couldn’t agree on important money issues. The leader, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, lost the support of one of the big political parties in his coalition.
Germany is facing tough times. The economy is struggling, and the war in Ukraine is putting pressure on the country. On top of that, Germany has to deal with competition from China and possible trade problems with the U.S.
Most people think a new leader, Friedrich Merz, will win. But it’s going to be tricky to form a government that works well together.
Philippines (May 12)
In the Philippines, they’re not voting for a new president yet, but they will elect new senators and local leaders. This election is very important because it shows how much support the president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has.
Marcos Jr. is in a political fight with the vice president, Sara Duterte, whose father was the last president. If Marcos can get his candidates elected, it might make it harder for Duterte to become president in the future.
The election will show if Marcos Jr. can keep his power strong or if his rivals will gain more control.
Canada (Before October 20)
Canada might have an election earlier than planned. The current leader, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is facing a lot of problems. His government is weak because one of the major political parties is not happy with him anymore.
Trudeau is also dealing with criticism from people who are upset about high prices and other issues. His rival, Pierre Poilievre, is very popular and wants to focus on boosting Canada’s economy by using its natural resources, like oil and gas.
This election could decide if Canada stays on its current path or changes direction to a more conservative way of doing things.
Chile (November 16)
Chile will vote for a new president in November 2025. The current president, Gabriel Boric, can’t run again because of the rules. His time as president has been tough because he hasn’t been able to pass many of his ideas.
Chile has faced big protests and problems in recent years, but things are starting to settle down. Still, crime is a big issue for voters.
Many people think Evelyn Matthei, a right-wing politician, might win. But the ruling party might still surprise everyone if they can find a strong candidate.
Why These Elections Matter
These elections will show us what people care about and who they trust to fix their country’s problems. Whether it’s dealing with rising prices, keeping peace, or handling big changes in leadership, 2025 will be an important year for these nations.
