With just 100 days remaining before Americans head to the polls for the midterm elections, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are preparing for what could become one of the biggest political challenges of his presidency. While Trump himself will not be on the ballot on November 3, the outcome of the elections is expected to shape the final years of his administration. Recent opinion surveys suggest Democrats are well positioned to regain control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans are also facing an increasingly competitive fight to maintain their majority in the Senate. A Democratic victory in the House would dramatically shift the balance of power in Washington. It would allow the party to lead key congressional committees and launch investigations into the Trump administration through subpoena powers. Such authority could open the door to fresh inquiries into government decisions and even fuel discussions about another attempt to impeach the president. Republicans currently hold only a slim majority in the House, making it easier for Democrats to take control if just a small number of seats change hands. Political analysts say several national issues are making the election environment more difficult for Republicans. Rising living costs remain one of the biggest concerns among voters. Fuel prices have climbed above four dollars per gallon following disruptions in global energy markets linked to the conflict with Iran. Inflation has remained stubbornly high while interest rates continue to place pressure on households and businesses. Surveys also indicate that voters are increasingly trusting Democrats over Republicans on issues such as inflation, healthcare and even immigration, which has traditionally been considered one of the Republican Party’s strongest campaign issues. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries recently criticized the Trump administration’s economic record and announced a campaign focused on lowering the cost of groceries, gasoline, housing and medical care. Republicans, however, argue that voters will have a clear choice between what they describe as practical conservative policies and a Democratic Party they say has moved further to the left. Their campaign is expected to emphasize border security, tax reductions and public safety while attempting to link Democratic candidates with progressive policies that they believe are unpopular among moderate voters. At the same time, Republicans are pursuing strategies that could improve their chances despite difficult polling numbers. One major effort has involved redrawing congressional district boundaries. Both major parties have participated in redistricting, but experts believe Republicans may benefit more from the latest changes. Some projections suggest the new electoral maps could provide Republicans with an advantage of several House seats, which may prove crucial in what is expected to be another closely contested election. Political scientist Sarah Binder of George Washington University said the new district maps have significantly reduced the number of truly competitive House races, limiting the opportunities available to Democratic candidates in some areas. Republicans also enter the final months of campaigning with a financial edge. Party organizations and allied groups have reportedly raised tens of millions of dollars more than their Democratic rivals, giving them greater resources to advertise, organize campaigns and support candidates across the country. The battle for the Senate is expected to be just as important. Republicans currently control the chamber with a 53 to 47 majority. Democrats need to gain four seats to take control, although current forecasts suggest Republicans remain slight favorites to keep the Senate. Some projections indicate the chamber could end in a 50 to 50 split, allowing Vice President JD Vance to cast deciding votes whenever necessary. For President Trump, losing the House while keeping the Senate would still create major obstacles for the remainder of his term. His legislative agenda would likely face repeated roadblocks, while Democratic lawmakers could use committee hearings to closely examine issues including the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict, government ethics and election related policies. Political analyst Chuck Todd said Republicans have seen their advantage in the Senate narrow considerably over recent months. He also predicted Democrats could gain between 10 and 25 seats in the House if current political trends continue. Recent polling from Economist and YouGov shows Trump’s approval rating remains low, with only 36 percent of Americans approving of his performance as president. Analysts note that historically, presidents with approval ratings below 45 percent almost always see their party lose seats during midterm elections. Whether Republicans can limit those losses or face a much larger defeat will become clear when Americans cast their votes in November.

ISTANBUL: Former Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced his decision to step away from politics and dissolve his Future Party, ending a decades-long political career that saw him rise as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s closest allies before becoming a vocal critic. Davutoglu announced the decision this week, saying he wanted to distance himself from what he described as a “dirty political climate” in Turkiye. He said the move was not a surrender but a step taken on moral grounds and a call for a broader rethink of politics. The former premier criticized issues including corruption, favouritism and weak accountability, saying these challenges had damaged public trust. He also raised concerns over the country’s presidential system introduced in 2018, arguing that it weakened checks and balances. Davutoglu began his career as an academic before entering politics. Born in Konya in 1959, he studied political science and international relations at Bosphorus University and later earned a doctorate in the same field. Before joining government, he worked as a professor and wrote several books on foreign policy. His academic reputation helped him become a key figure in shaping Turkiye’s international strategy. After the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, Davutoglu joined the party and became a close adviser to Erdogan. He played an influential role in developing the “zero problems with neighbours” foreign policy approach, which aimed to improve relations with regional countries. He served as Turkiye’s foreign minister from 2009 to 2014 and became prime minister after Erdogan moved to the presidency in 2014. However, relations between the two leaders gradually weakened due to differences over governance, foreign policy and the distribution of political power. In 2016, Davutoglu resigned as prime minister and was replaced by Binali Yildirim. Three years later, Davutoglu left the AKP and launched the Future Party, presenting it as a conservative alternative focused on democracy and reforms. However, the party struggled to gain major public support and received a small share of votes in the 2024 elections.