While the United States decided on a new president in 2024, many other countries around the world are set for national elections in the coming months.
Leading travel risk and crisis management firm Global Rescue released its risk assessment for Countries with National Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in 2025, revealing the destinations eyeing potentially contentious elections that present the most and least risk to tourists this year.
According to Kent Webber, senior manager of Intelligence Services at Global Rescue and a former senior intelligence operations officer in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence at the Pentagon, "Elections, while a cornerstone of democracy, can sometimes lead to increased political unrest, demonstrations and even violence."
"Understanding these risks and preparing accordingly is vital for anyone planning to travel during such periods," he added.
Countries with the least risks during elections include some of the safest destinations around the globe like Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway, according to Global Rescue, which cites each's strong democratic processes, stable governance and a peaceful political culture.
Westhaven Marina in Auckland, New Zealand. (photo via Chris McLennan) (Photo Credit: (photo via Chris McLennan))
On the other end of the spectrum, Global Rescue identified four countries that have significant risks of protest, violence and unrest due to upcoming national elections.
Ecuador is currently experiencing rising political tensions and allegations of corruption that have set the stage for instability.
"In January 2024, there was a series of attacks by organized criminal gangs, that resulted in the declaration of an internal armed conflict and the implementation of multiple states of emergency," notes Global Rescue. "While the situation has re-normalized, violence remains a concern. There was also a series of protests in late 2024 to oppose incumbent President Daniel Noboa’s policies, including the implementation of power cuts to conserve energy amid the ongoing drought."
The first general election round in Ecuador is slated for February 9, 2025, and the follow-up is scheduled for April 13, 2025.
In Tanzania, human rights groups have raised concerns of repression, including arrests, abductions and killings of opposition leaders and supporters ahead of the next Presidential national election scheduled for October 2025.
Elsewhere in Africa, recent elections in Ivory Coast were accompanied by political and intercommunal violence resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. The next Presidential election in Ivory Coast is also set for October 2025.
Colorful buildings and houses adorn the hillsides in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo Credit: Giongi63 / Adobe Stock)
Kosovo is another destination with high risk this year. "Protests are possible after the Central Election Commission declined to certify the Srpska Lista party, Kosovo’s main ethnic Serb party," Global Rescue warns. "Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a violent war in 1998–1999. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and Serbs in northern Kosovo still see Belgrade as their capital and continue to demand autonomy."
Venezuela, Belarus and Iraq are also among the riskiest destinations facing national elections in 2025. However, each country already receives a "Level 4 – Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S. Department of State.
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