It starts this year, 2024it will definitely happen vote. More than 70 countries, some of great importance due to their size or geopolitical influence, will use the ballot box to elect heads of State and Government, members of parliament or regional and local representatives. some in total 4 billion people Representing almost 51% of the world’s population will be called to vote.
According to the Barcelona Center for International Affairs (CIDOB), these processes will include a large for “stress test” democracyliving in recent years abrasive drift. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) notes in its 2023 report that this system of governance “continues to contract” in all regions of the world, with half of 173 countries analyzing “recorded declines.”
But we should not misunderstand the fact of putting ballot boxes. As in many countries Russia, Iranian anyone TunisiaThey instrumentalize “these election processes” strengthen leadership “Having power and gaining legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens”, CIDOB’s latest international note draws attention to what will be the issues that will mark the agenda in 2024. According to International IDEA, in addition to election processes, what defines good is also important. Factors such as the democratic quality of a country respect human rights, HE rejection of corrupt practices, citizen participation beyond the moment of voting or Judicial Independence.
Below we offer a brief look at some of the choices that will leave their mark on the new year:
Taiwan
First vote of the year will be held Taiwan will determine the future of geostrategic balances Chinese And United States of America. HE January 13Residents of the island over which Beijing claims sovereignty and which hosts 63% of world production semiconductors – electronic components needed to manufacture most electronic devices – must elect new leaders. Polls show current vice president as favorite Lai Ching-te, Democratic Progressive Party, supporter of independence. The opposition failed to establish a common front and presented two candidates: Hou You-yifrom nationalists kuomintangmore likely to approach Beijing and Ko Wen-jeFormer mayor of Taipei and leader of the pragmatic movement Taiwan People’s Party.
United States of America
This year, the North American country will experience an intense election cycle this will also result presidential On November 5th. The process will start on January 15 Iowa with election race Republican Party candidatean election that will be followed by a series of votes in different states common thought The Republican Party will announce its official candidate in mid-July. All polls point to former president donald trump as the person to face Democrats at the ballot box. Joe Biden. The process will be irreparably tainted by the serious justice issues facing the New York businessman. In fact, this December the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump could not run in that state’s primary, considering that it was proven that he participated in the “insurrection” in the state. Attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to prevent Biden from being certified as president. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maine He also banned Trump from participating in the primaries.
European Union
27 countries between June 6-9 EU They are called to elect their representatives. European Parliament. According to polls, parties will have more support far rightIt is divided into two groups in the European Parliament: Identity and DemocracyConsisting of National Regrouping Marine Le Penleague Matteo Salvini or German Alternative for Germany (AfD)And Conservatives and ReformistsFeaturing Brothers of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Vox by Santiago Abascal or the Pole Law and Justice. According to surveys, European People’s Party It will retain its majority, albeit weaker, which could force it to ally with the radical right.
Russia, Iran and India
on March 17 Vladimir Putin He will run for re-election as Russia’s president, leaving little room for surprises. the opposition was effectively disabled either in prison or exile. It is scheduled to be held a few days earlier, on March 1. Iranian Holding parliamentary elections to elect members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts. Second, the elder Ayatollah should be appointed as the supreme leader’s successor. Ali Khamenei. Iran’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has eliminated 40 critical candidates so far. Between April and May, IndiaThe nationalist country became the world’s most populous country after taking it from China last April. Narendra Modi He will try to win a third term against an opposition that is more united than ever in the face of the current president’s populist drive.
Ukraine, Venezuela, Tunisia and Libya
This last section is about the ongoing elections. In the air. According to the calendar, Ukraine Even though there is a current president, presidential elections are due to be held on March 31. Volodymyr Zelenskycan use martial law Postponing these has been in effect since the beginning of the Russian occupation. Zelensky even stated last November that it was not election time: “It is war time on which the fate of the state and the people depends.”
Venezuelan Presidential elections also need to be held, but Nicolás Maduro’s tensions with the opposition, which has chosen consensus candidate María Corina Machado, could doom the call.
Finally, the date of the presidential elections is about to be determined. Tunisiaplanned for autumn, but autocratic drift Kais Said does not foresee a clean process, Libya The two governments in the country are starting negotiations to hold elections in 2024, after many postponements.