Claudia Sheinbaum, the frontrunner to be Mexico’s next president, has a background as a scientist — but how much will it factor into her presidency? Though Sheinbaum is an environmental scientist, it’s hard to say how much her presidency would shift course from current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrandor’s embrace of oil and gas, despite her career impressing full well the dangers of climate change. While Sheinbaum helped to author the UN’s 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, her statements indicate that she’ll stay the course on AMLO’s energy policy, though she also stated she “believes in science, technology, and renewable energy.”

Mexico last appeared on the Hot List at #2, looking at high levels of election violence in this cycle.

Lower turnout in India’s election could go either way, according to analysts, but still has potential to throw the vote into disarray. While a win for the ruling BJP is still considered a “foregone conclusion,” the scale of the party’s victory matters. Relatively muted turnout in some regions where the party has seen vigorous efforts in the past, like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, could mean a dimmer-than-anticipated performance nationwide. Yashwant Sinha, a former member of parliament and national spokesperson for the BJP who defected from the party, declared that “there is no wave in this election,” and that “unpopular” Prime Minister Narendra Modi could even see a shock defeat.

India last appeared on the Hot List at #3, discussing deepfake material's use in campaigning.

South Africa’s election has seen dueling AI-generated Trump endorsements. It’s not just random supporters, either: one video of Trump endorsing the newly-founded MK Movement, led by former President Jacob Zuma, was posted by Zuma’s daughter herself, to which supporters of other political parties replied with their own fake endorsements. The original post from Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla picked up over 157,000 views on X (formerly Twitter), and did not receive a Community Note.

South Africa last appeared on the Hot List at #2, with former president Thabo Mbeki's intervention in the campaign.

Mozambique’s ruling party has officially nominated a successor to President Filipe Nyusi. Daniel Chapo, the governor of Inhambane province, would be the country’s first “non-combatant” president, distinct from the guerilla fighter backgrounds that have characterized Mozambique’s leaders since independence. Described as a “former radio announcer” and “relatively unknown figure” in national politics, Chapo is said to have been “handpicked by Nyusi,” according to Mozambican political analyst Marisa Lourenco, likely ensuring some level of continuity in governance.

Mozambique last appeared on the Hot List at #7, looking at the ruling party's potential struggles heading into the next election.

A tech entrepreneur who created his own Game Boy game for his campaign was elected mayor of Panama’s capital. Mayer Mizrachi, known for his attempt to create a competitor to WhatsApp, came up first place in a crowded field that included the incumbent. Mizrachi founded the electric car retailer GeekyMotors which served as a supplier for Tesla cars, has spent time in prison on fraud charges that were eventually dropped, which he attributed to political targeting, and has a family connection to former President Ricardo Martinelli, who himself has faced numerous legal issues over the years.

Panama last appeared on the Hot List at #5, featuring independent gains in national legislative elections.

Support for Canada’s Conservative Party has soared in British Columbia, potentially displacing the incumbent NDP government in the province. For decades, the Conservatives were not a factor in British Columbia’s provincial politics – until now, it seems. According to the latest poll, Tories there stand just above the NDP, which currently holds British Columbia as one of its only provincial governments in Canada. A recent name change for the BC Liberal Party, once the dedicated center-right opposition to the NDP in the province despite their label, may have provided an opening for the Conservatives to stake a claim on their brand.

Canada last appeared on the Hot List at #9, with foreign intelligence allegations of election meddling.

North Macedonia’s nationalist VMRO party romped in elections this month, potentially setting back the country’s naming dispute with Greece. Presidential winner Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has attracted international attention for her use of “Macedonia” over “North Macedonia” on the campaign trail, in clear disregard of the naming agreement that helped move the country towards European accession. Likewise, VMRO won nearly a majority, shifting national politics firmly to the right, and potentially throwing off the country’s course into the EU.

North Macedonia last appeared on the Hot List at #5, taking a look at the presidential run-off.

A new far-right party has emerged in Catalonia, springing from a small-town mayoral win. The “Catalan Alliance” won the mayoralty of Ripoli in municipal elections held last year, and is now polling between 3% and 4% across the region. It’s not much, but it could be enough to enter Catalonia’s Parliament, a prospect which has already prompted numerous parties to draw red lines around the group. The Alliance’s most prominent figure, Ripoli Mayor Silvia Orrols, was described by Politico as an emerging “figurehead for an uncompromising brand of anti-immigrant Catalan nationalism.”

Spain last appeared on the Hot List at #5, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez deciding to remain in office.

After a gaffe, the Governor of Shizuoka prefecture in Japan says he is leaving politics to “become a hermit,” and “talk to little birds in the forest.” Heita Kawakatsu, who has been in office since 2009, drew controversy for comments demeaning farmworkers, for which he announced his resignation. At a press conference for his final day in office, Kawakatsu shot down chatter about potential further moves in politics, declaring his intentions towards hermithood and befriending forest animals.

Japan last appeared on the Hot List at #8, with by-election losses for the LDP.