Six out of ten of the planet's inhabitants will cast their votes at the ballot box in 2024. There will be elections for every taste: national, local, regional, legislative, democratic, façade and even one decided by the Electoral College. The record number of voters is partly due to the coincidence of elections in populous countries such as India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil and the United States, but from a political perspective, some of these elections have the potential to influence the direction of international relations this year .
You US heading to a rematch between Joe Biden It is Donald Trump. At European UnionRightwing populist parties skeptical about the bloc's future are likely to gain ground in the European Parliament's renewal. At the Mexicothe leftwing populist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to make the successor and India the nationalist Narendra Modi is facing reelection amid allegations of abuse of power by the opposition.
Populous countries like Brazilwhich elects mayors and city councilors, and Indonesia It is PakistanElections are also taking place in two of the world's largest Muslim countries. Small nations, like Uruguay It is Icelandand multiracial democracies, such as South Africawill have a new command at the end of the year.
US President Joe Biden and former US President Donald Trump are expected to face off again in the 2024 elections. Photo: The Washington Post / The Washington Post
And authoritarian countries will also organize elections. Russia, will, Venezuela It is Belarus are some examples, although the result is more than predictable. A Ukrainein war, has also planned elections for this year.
therefore, the Estadao has created a guide with a series of special reports on this year's most important elections to explain what the elections are about. The series begins this Tuesday the 9th with a report on the elections in Taiwan and ends on Sunday with an article about voting in India.
Below is a summary of this year's most important elections
In the United States, Trump is returning to run for president after he questioned the 2020 election results. He has also threatened his rivals with political retaliation if he returns to the White House. Trump's threats against his opponents are welcomed by 20% of his electorate, according to recent opinion polls of Republican voters in Iowa, where the primary opens next week with the caucus, a kind of party convention with voting rights among members.
Polarization is having a detrimental effect on Americans. “Democratic life, compromise and coalition building have become more difficult,” British think tank Chatham House noted in a report last month. “Efforts to reduce income inequality have failed so far, and data from key election states suggest the situation is worse than ever, according to the Fed's latest survey of consumer finances. American.” The 2024 elections must take place in this context.”
Former President of the United States Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in the city of Mason City, Iowa. Photo: Doug Mills/NYT
European politics is experiencing a similar crisis. The advance of the extreme right, fueled by public fear of migration and stagnating economiescould culminate in the EU parliamentary elections in June.
“It is entirely possible that the various forces of the far right will become the largest single bloc in the European Parliament,” wrote John Kampfner in Foreign Policy, a leading American foreign policy publication. “This may not lead to a change in the composition of the European Commission, as traditional parties must have enough seats to hold the bloc's leadership positions, but any populist push will change the overall dynamic across Europe.”
Whether in a coalition or at the head of a power bloc, The extreme right also seems destined to come to power In Portugalin March and in Austria, at the end of this year. In Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse, the emerging farright could win unprecedented victories in some state elections.
The conservatives British peoplein trouble, betting on a tough speech against immigration, in a desperate attempt to avoid a seemingly impending Labor Party election defeat this year, lead by Keir Starmer, a moderate opposition politician. The vote is not yet scheduled.
Far from the West, several democracies are under threat. This weekend's elections in Bangladesh They extend the term of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who critics say has effectively turned the country into a oneparty state.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalists are expected to extend their dominance in elections in April and May. Ua new fiveyear term for Modi it will further distance the Indian Republic from the pluralistic concepts that shaped its founding.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends an event in Ayodhya, India. Photo: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP
The African National Congress faces its toughest test yet as voters become increasingly disillusioned and frustrated with the country's postapartheid democracy, and the opposition has a chance to be competitive. The appreciation of democracy in the country is also decreasing. In a recent poll, around threequarters of South Africans said they would be willing to sacrifice their democracy if a leader could create jobs and reduce crime. However, the election has not yet been scheduled.
Elections in Indonesia in February and Mexico in June could see outgoing presidents expand their influence with friendly successors, much to the chagrin of rival political elites.
The President's Regime Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela After negotiations with the country's opposition, elections should be held this year. It is unknown whether they will be free or fair. Ukraine is expected to hold presidential elections at the end of March, but the emergency situation caused by the Russian invasion could lead to the election of the president Volodymir Zelensky to postpone the vote.
The dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, attends a meeting in the Venezuelan Parliament in Caracas. Photo: Palacio de Miraflores/EFE
And that Pakistan, has been plunged into political crisis since the dismissal (and subsequent arrest) of the Prime Minister populist Imran Khanin 2022, is trying to turn the tide with elections in February, although Khan's faction remains outraged over alleged attempts to stack the vote against them.
In Taiwan, where elections are taking place this month, a victory for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is likely to raise the possibility of a military escalation by China across the strait something that has been highlighted by the opposition Kuomintang, which is friendlier to Beijing. Whatever the outcome, noted the Guardian's Simon Tisdall, the vote “will be a valuable demonstration of how much value democracy still has when a determined people have the right to a real choice amid strong external pressure.” “ / WITH W.POST
This content was translated using artificial intelligence tools and reviewed by our editorial team. Find out more in our AI policy.