LONDON (AP) — In the year 2024, voters worldwide made their voices heard loud and clear: “You’re out.” Elections were held in some 70 countries, collectively representing half of the global population, and incumbents faced consequences in many places. From India and the United States to Japan, France, and Britain, citizens weary of economic turmoil and global unrest rejected their current leaders and sometimes turned to unconventional candidates.
The democratic landscape grew increasingly turbulent as the year unfolded, with mass protests in Mozambique and Georgia, a nullified election in Romania, and an attempted imposition of martial law in South Korea. Cas Mudde, a professor at the University of Georgia specializing in extremism and democracy, described 2024 in Prospect magazine as a year that favored the far right, punished incumbents, and posed challenges for democracy worldwide.
A prevailing sentiment expressed by voters in 2024 was one of frustration and disillusionment. Political scientist Rob Ford of the University of Manchester attributed this anti-incumbent mood to what he termed “electoral long COVID” — the ongoing disruptions caused by the pandemic in areas such as health, education, social welfare, and the economy, leaving many people discontent and worse off. Factors like high inflation resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as mass displacements from conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, contributed to a sense of global unease.
In various countries, incumbents were unseated, reflecting the public’s dissatisfaction. In South Africa, the African National Congress suffered a significant loss of support due to high unemployment and inequality, leading to a political shift after decades in power. Similar outcomes were seen in Senegal, Ghana, and Botswana, where long-standing ruling parties were voted out. Uruguay’s election resulted in a leftist opposition candidate becoming president, marking another blow to incumbents.
The year brought significant changes in other parts of the world, too. In India, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party lost its parliamentary majority after a decade of dominance, forcing it into a coalition government as the opposition gained ground. Japan experienced political upheaval as the long-standing Liberal Democratic Party faced a major defeat amid scandals, while the UK saw the Conservative Party ousted after 14 years in power, with the Labour Party assuming leadership. Across Europe, conservative populists and the far right made gains in the EU, impacting ruling parties in France and Germany.
The trend towards right-wing movements was evident not just in Britain but in other parts of the world as well. The political landscape in 2024 reflected a global mood of change and discontent, with voters pushing back against the status quo and seeking new directions for their countries.
The National Rally party emerged victorious in the first round of France’s parliamentary election in June, only to be pushed to third place in the second round due to alliances and strategic voting by the center and left. This led to a divided legislature and a fragile government that collapsed following a no-confidence vote on Dec. 4.
In Austria, the conservative People’s Party was surpassed by the far-right Freedom Party in September, although other parties formed alliances to prevent it from joining a coalition government. Meanwhile, instances of nepotism and political dynasties continued to be a factor in politics, prompting challenges. Pakistan elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the younger brother of former leader Nawaz Sharif, after tumultuous elections in February. Indonesia saw President Prabowo Subianto, the son-in-law of the late dictator Suharto, take office in Southeast Asia’s largest democracy.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth consecutive term in a January election boycotted by opposition parties. However, her rule faced upheaval later in the year as mass protests led to her ouster in August, forcing her to seek refuge in India. Sri Lanka also experienced a shift in leadership, with voters electing Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake as president, marking a departure from the long-standing Rajapaksa dynasty.
Concerns over covert interference and online disinformation emerged as significant issues in 2024. Meta revealed that it dismantled 20 election-related covert influence operations worldwide, with Russia being cited as a prominent source of meddling. In Romania, far-right candidate Călin Georgescu surprisingly won the first round of the presidential election, with allegations of Russian interference prompting a cancellation of the runoff. Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu’s victory in a November runoff was seen as crucial for the nation’s future.
In Georgia, protests erupted following the victory of the pro-Moscow Georgian Dream party in October’s election, which was marred by accusations of vote manipulation with Russia’s involvement. The uncertainty continued as Donald Trump secured a second term in the U.S. presidential election, leaving allies and adversaries anticipating the implications of his “America-first” approach.
As the year drew to a close, instability persisted across various regions. Venezuela remained embroiled in a political crisis following a controversial July election, while Mozambique saw the long-standing rule of the Frelimo party facing scrutiny after half a century in power.
South Korea found itself in turmoil following an October election marred by allegations of fraud from the opposition, resulting in weeks of violent protests that claimed the lives of over 100 individuals. President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative figure already weakened by the loss of control to the liberal opposition in April, shocked the nation by declaring martial law in a late-night address on December 3rd. However, the move was swiftly quashed by Parliament, which overturned the decision within six hours and proceeded to impeach Yoon in the days that followed. The crisis gripping the deeply divided country shows no signs of abating anytime soon.
Looking ahead to 2025, it appears that the rollercoaster ride of democracy will continue as incumbent leaders face stiff challenges in various parts of the world. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a blow when he lost a confidence vote on December 16th, triggering the likelihood of an early election in February. Meanwhile, Canada is gearing up for its own election in 2025, with the ruling Liberals grappling with widespread unpopularity and internal divisions after nearly a decade in power.
Seema Shah, the head of democracy assessment at the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, highlighted that while global surveys indicate strong support for the idea of democracy, satisfaction levels plummet when individuals are asked about their own democratic experiences. Shah emphasized that while people may espouse the virtues of democracy in theory, the reality often falls short of their expectations.
Contributions to this article were made by Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, and Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa.
