Ethiopia PM's party wins landslide election; fears grow of new conflict

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party secured a significant landslide victory in the parliamentary election held on June 1, 2026, assuring his continued leadership. The ruling party won 438 out of 501 contested seats in the House of Peoples' Representatives, with the final results announced by the National Election Board of Ethiopia. This outcome was largely anticipated, despite concerns raised by opposition groups regarding the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.

However, the election was notably marred by widespread insecurity and the exclusion of several critical regions. Polling did not occur in the war-torn Tigray region, which is still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating conflict that ended in 2022. Additionally, a number of polling stations in the Amhara and Oromia regions failed to open due to ongoing ethnic violence and insurgencies.

Consequently, fears are escalating that this election could further exacerbate existing tensions and potentially lead to new conflicts. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has recently moved to reinstate its pre-war leadership, directly challenging a previous peace agreement and raising warnings from analysts about renewed unrest. The persistent internal divisions, coupled with strained regional relations, suggest a fragile political landscape in Ethiopia.