Since the 1980s, we have observed an explosive increase in the number of countries that have extended the right to vote from abroad. As a result, today diasporas play a more prominent role in politics than in the past.
This interview aims to shed light on diasporas and political mobilisation thanks to the insights of Professor Eva Østergaard-Nielsen.
With the elections of 2024 occurring, the importance of green energy and the reduction of carbon emissions is integral to progress. Looking into Austria and Europe’s actions, scientists are investigating how much action has been taken, while also looking into future policies moving forward.
Europe’s defence and security has become the main concern of political parties and citizens. All electoral programmes contained proposals on this issue.
While the Ruling coalitions in France and Germany saw poor results, voters in Italy and Poland gave a vote of confidence to their governments.
Slovak voters chose a pro-Russian President and risk their standing within the European Union and the West.
Croatian President Milanović threatens to violate the national constitution and run for Prime Minister, yet refuse to step down as President. He also dismisses the Constitutional Court ruling telling him it is unconstitutional and effectively bans him from running without stepping down as President by calling the decision irrelevant.
Spain just had an election on Sunday. Both Partido Popular and PSOE gained seats in the Chamber of Deputies. It remains unclear whoever the winner of the election truly is based on the potential coalitions which can be created.
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his party New Democracy won the election yet did not receive enough seats for a majority in parliament. Greece will have a second election soon.
Israeli Knesset voted to disperse on 30th June 2022 and to hold new elections in November. This vote ended the shortest legislature Israel has ever had and the Presidency adventure of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Bennett’s role will be taken by Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid who will become prime minister.
Youth support for the democracy project has been waning over the years evidenced by voter apathy. It is therefore incumbent upon governments and other stakeholders to maximise civic tech tools to influence and attract this demography to vote or compete for political office, as part of the measures to strengthen democracy in the SADC region.
