Europe’s 2026 Elections: A Reckoning That Could Reshape the Continent—and What It Means for America

As 2026 unfolds, Europe stands at a crossroads with a packed electoral calendar that threatens to upend the continent's fragile balance of power. From presidential contests in Portugal and Bulgaria to parliamentary battles in Hungary and Russia, these elections aren't merely local affairs—they ripple across the Atlantic, impacting American strategic interests. Why European Elections Matter Beyond Their Borders The German think tank Instituto de Política Europea rightly highlights that EU member states’ elections determine control over key bodies like the European Council and national parliaments involved in integration processes. But beneath this surface lies a more urgent question: How will...