Global 2026 Elections Set to Shake Markets

2026 promises a year of high-stakes elections that could intensify market uncertainty already stirred by U.S. policy shifts and geopolitical tensions. Japan’s snap election on February 8 could influence fiscal policies in the world’s most indebted nation, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to turn personal popularity into support for expansionary spending. In Latin America, Colombia, Brazil, and other nations will test rightward political shifts, potentially reshaping economic strategies. Hungary, the U.K., Ethiopia, and Zambia also face pivotal votes that could alter investor confidence and government spending priorities. In the U.S., November mid-terms are a critical test for President Donald Trump amid widespread affordability concerns. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is leading polls for the election against Flavio Bolsonaro, while Ethiopia and Zambia emerge from debt crises. Investors are closely watching these elections, as outcomes could impact global markets.