BBC: What to expect from the results of the US midterm elections

Two years ago, Donald Trump won the US presidential election by a decisive margin. At the time, he enjoyed the support of a majority of voters. Today, however, that level of support is no longer evident, as Americans are increasingly looking for an alternative. This gives Democrats an opportunity to gain control of one or possibly both chambers of Congress, which would create additional challenges for the president, the BBC reports.

On November 3, the United States holds its midterm elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, along with one-third of the seats in the Senate, governorships, seats in state legislatures across many states, and numerous other local offices.

The presidency is not on the ballot this election cycle. This significantly reduces voter turnout. Trump turns 80 this year, and his average approval rating across polls stands at around 36–37%.

Foreign policy rarely takes center stage in US midterm elections unless its consequences directly affect Americans. This time, however, Trump has repeatedly sought to link rising fuel prices not so much to his military campaign against Iran as to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Republicans need to lose only a handful of seats to forfeit their majority in the House of Representatives. They currently hold 218 seats, compared with 214 for Democrats, while several seats remain vacant. Immediately after the 2024 elections, the balance stood at 220 seats to 215.

Commentators and legal experts have long been pointing out that Congress is gradually losing ground to the presidency. Many view this trend with concern, while others see it as an opportunity. The president heads an extensive executive branch that enables him to put his decisions into effect quickly. Nevertheless, securing a majority in one chamber of Congress, let alone both, would give Democrats significant leverage.