Politics · Other · 52 mins ago
Four elections in 10 days could shape democratic norms worldwide
Four elections in Brazil, Serbia, Israel and the US are taking place within 10 days.
The contests pit pro-democracy parties or movements against current or aspiring autocrats.
In Brazil, Flávio Bolsonaro is challenging President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a runoff, while a student-led movement is challenging Aleksandar Vučić’s rule in Serbia.
In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition is trailing the opposition, and US voters are choosing Congress in midterm elections that could shift control of one or both chambers to Democrats.
The elections come as global democratic freedoms have fallen to levels last seen in 1978, according to the V-Dem Institute.
Their results could reinforce or slow democratic decline, with effects reaching beyond each country.
The US vote is scheduled for 3 November, but the sources do not say what the results will be.
Four elections in Brazil, Serbia, Israel and the United States over 10 days could affect global politics and the future of democratic norms.
The contests pit pro-democracy parties or movements against current or aspiring autocrats, according to The Guardian.
The V-Dem Institute says democratic freedoms for the average global citizen have fallen to levels last seen in 1978.
The elections are linked by political support and security ties among the countries, including support from Donald Trump’s movement for leaders in Brazil, Serbia and Israel.
The Guardian says victories for authoritarian-right candidates could strengthen their counterparts elsewhere, while pro-democracy wins could encourage their allies.
- Who
- Voters in Brazil, Serbia, Israel and the United States; the contests include candidates and movements on opposing sides of democratic norms.
- What
- Four elections could shape global politics and democratic norms.
- When
- Within 10 days; the US midterm elections are scheduled for 3 November.
- Where
- Brazil, Serbia, Israel and the United States.
- Why
- The outcomes could affect democratic norms and have spillover effects in their regions and beyond.
Pro-democracy parties and movements
Current or aspiring autocrats
Election outcomes
Pro-democracy parties and movements
Pro-democracy victories could halt the decline in democratic norms and encourage allies elsewhere.
Current or aspiring autocrats
Authoritarian-right victories could reinforce the global authoritarian trend and bolster counterparts in other countries.
Brazil holds runoff presidential elections, while Serbia’s ruling system faces a challenge from a student-led protest movement.
Benjamin Netanyahu faces challengers at the polls in Israel.
US voters cast ballots in midterm elections, with at least one chamber of Congress likely to fall to the Democrats.
- Countries
- Brazil, Serbia, Israel and the United States
- Time span
- 10 days
- V-Dem benchmark
- Democratic freedoms at levels last seen in 1978
- US election date
- 3 November
- Serbian movement slogan
- Serbia or Mafia?
3 sources
What people are saying
change the constitution
Serbia or Mafia?