In the year 2024, a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment swept through over 70 countries, affecting governments from India and the United States to Japan, France, and Britain. Economic disruptions, global instability, and lingering effects of the pandemic led voters to reject sitting governments in many nations. The landscape of democracy became increasingly turbulent as mass protests erupted in countries like Mozambique and Georgia, an election was annulled in Romania, and martial law was attempted in South Korea. Incumbents were heavily punished by disgruntled voters, with long-standing ruling parties losing power in countries such as South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, and Botswana.
The phenomenon of anti-incumbency was further evident in Japan, where the governing Liberal Democratic Party suffered a major loss in October, leading to a minority government. In the UK, the Conservative Party was ousted after 14 years in office, and the Labour Party emerged victorious. However, support for the two major parties diminished as smaller parties gained traction, including the hard-right party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage. The rise of right-wing politics was not limited to the UK, as conservative populists made significant gains in elections across the European Union, particularly in France and Germany.
The year 2024 also saw the continuation of political dynasties and nepotism in countries like Pakistan and Indonesia. In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faced mass protests and was ultimately ousted after 15 years in power. Sri Lanka witnessed a shift in power with the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, signaling a rejection of the old guard and a move towards Marxist leadership. Concerns over covert meddling and disinformation rose, with tech companies like Meta revealing efforts to counter election-related influence operations originating from countries like Russia, Iran, and China.
Various countries faced political crises and unrest as the year drew to a close. Venezuela was embroiled in a power struggle following a disputed election, while Mozambique experienced ongoing protests after an election victory by the ruling Frelimo party was contested. In Georgia, accusations of election rigging led to mass protests against the pro-Moscow ruling party, raising concerns about the country’s future trajectory. The US election in November saw the re-election of Donald Trump, prompting both allies and adversaries to brace for potential shifts in American foreign policy under his leadership.
As 2024 came to a close, uncertainty loomed over many nations, with South Korea grappling with a political crisis that saw an attempted imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The year ahead promises continued challenges for embattled incumbents, with countries like Germany and Canada facing upcoming elections amid growing dissatisfaction with democracy. Despite global surveys indicating strong support for democracy in theory, the actual performance of democratic systems often falls short of public expectations, highlighting a disconnect between aspiration and reality in modern governance.
