In Brazil and Serbia, the voices of the people changed the government

In the past week, voters in two countries have shown that elections can still change the fate and political future of nations.

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the residents of Brazil re-elected Lula da Silva as president, although he received fewer votes in the first round of the presidential elections.

In Serbia, as a result of the elections, Aleksandar Vučić, who had been in power for 14 years, left his post. In the near future, two more important votes will take place in the world: elections in Israel on October 27 and in the USA on November 3.

Brazil: Lula’s Return

In the first round of the presidential elections, Liberal Party representative Flavio Bolsonaro received 47.03% of the votes and took first place. Lula, representing the Workers’ Party, received 45.16%. Since no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, a second round was scheduled.

In the second round, Lula received 51.79% and defeated Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who was supported by 48.21% of voters.

Lula became the president of Brazil for the fourth time, but not consecutively. The Constitution of Brazil allows only two consecutive four-year terms. Lula was president from 2003 to 2010, then returned to power in 2023 and will serve as president until 2027, and after new elections from 2027 to 2030.

Lula’s leftist Workers’ Party was mainly supported by trade unions, lower-income groups, and residents of the north and east of the country. Flavio, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a prison sentence, was supported by evangelical Christians, farmers, and residents of the south of the country. Abroad, he was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Argentine President Milei. He is also a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and promised that if he won, he would move the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem. Lula is expected to work with a more conservative parliament.

Serbia: Students Defeat Government in Power for 14 Years

The opposition “Student List” received 53.33% of the votes and won about 140 out of 250 seats, ending the 14-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party led by Aleksandar Vučić, which received 39.73% of the votes. This movement emerged amid protests that began after the collapse of the roof of the railway station in Novi Sad in 2024, resulting in the deaths of 16 people. It was supported by students, opposition parties, and youth. Older voters and rural residents remained loyal to the ruling party. Vučić acknowledged his defeat, and leaders of the European Union welcomed the election results.

Israel: Elections on October 27

Citizens of Israel will also head to the polls on October 27 to elect 120 members of the Knesset. To form a government, 61 seats are needed. These are the first general elections following the attacks on October 7, 2023.

The main issues are accountability for the events of October 7, military service for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men (Haredim), judicial reform, and the future of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

It is expected that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party will rely on ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties and far-right religious forces. They are opposed by Naftali Bennett, former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Golan, who enjoy greater support from secular and moderate voters. The opposition is fragmented, so the main question is whether its representatives can collectively secure 61 seats.

U.S. Midterm Elections

On November 3, U.S. citizens will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators. Republicans, led by President Trump, aim to maintain a majority in Congress. The traditional electoral base of the Republicans consists of residents of provincial regions, middle-class representatives, and evangelical Christians.

Democrats, who are currently in the minority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, aim to regain at least one chamber to limit the president’s power. The Democratic electoral base mainly includes urban residents, youth, women, African Americans, and students. The results will determine how Congress will support or restrict tariffs, foreign aid, and Trump’s foreign policy.

The Significance of These Elections for Tajikistan and Central Asia

Brazil and Serbia have no direct connection to Tajikistan or Central Asia, except for Brazil’s role in BRICS, which includes Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as partners. Israel holds greater significance. Pro-Palestinian sentiments prevail in the region, and the future Israeli government will determine policy in the Gaza Strip and towards Iran, which will directly impact stability or instability in the region, fuel prices, and trade routes.

The U.S. elections are the most important. The new Congress could tighten or ease sanctions against Russia, which will directly affect the incomes of labor migrants working in Russia. The economies of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan heavily depend on remittances from migrants. Additionally, after Trump’s victory, U.S. humanitarian aid to Central Asia and Tajikistan significantly decreased. The election results could substantially influence U.S. policy in the region.

These elections send certain signals to the residents of the region. The experiences of Brazil and Serbia have shown that ordinary citizens, including students and first-time voters, can peacefully change the direction and policy of their country. For most residents of Central Asia, this offers hope that change can be achieved through presidential or parliamentary elections. However, for them, changing power through the ballot box remains an unattainable dream, and they learn about such events only from the media, not from the political life of their countries.

Conclusion

From the Amazon to Belgrade, and soon in Jerusalem and Washington, voters this autumn desire honest, clear, and real changes in their lives. The results of these elections will influence global politics, partnerships, and trade in the coming years, reminding people around the world that one vote can change a lot.