Uncertainty is the winner and incumbents the losers so far in a year of high-stakes global elections

Discontented, economically squeezed voters have turned against sitting governments on both right and left during many of the dozens of elections held this year, as global power blocs shift and political certainties crumble. From India to South Africa to Britain, voters dealt blows to long-governing parties. Elections to the European Parliament showed growing support for the continent’s far right, while France’s centrist president scrambled to fend off a similar surge at home. More than 40 countries have held elections already this year. More uncertainty awaits. Nations home to over half the world’s population are going to the polls in 2024.