Biggest political shift globally!

AT LEAST 70 countries held elections in 2024, witnessing significant political shifts.

Long-standing governing parties lost power, some controversial former presidents returned, women rose to power as presidents, and citizens fought back against vote rigging.

The major call across nations was for greater responsibility, openness, and responsiveness from leaders.

Notable Political Events Globally:

Botswana: Botswana's voters made headlines by electing an alternative presidential candidate, Duma Boko, ousting a party that had ruled for nearly 60 years.

The peaceful election saw the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power since 1966, defeated by President Duma Boko's Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). The transfer was smooth with former president Mokgweetsi Masisi congratulating the new government.

South Africa: South Africa experienced a significant political shift when the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority after 30 years as the preferred party. During the 29 May general elections, the ANC realised that people now have alternatives.

Although not completely out of power, the ANC was compelled to form a coalition with rivals to govern effectively.

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Namibia: The country elected its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, with an impressive 57% of the vote, reinforcing the Swapo party's 34-year dominance since independence in 1990.

Mozambique: Daniel Chapo and the ruling party, Front for the Liberation of Mozambique, were declared winners of the 9 October general elections amid allegations of political violence and restricted freedoms.

International observers, including the African Union, European Union, and Commonwealth, raised serious concerns about electoral credibility and called for a thorough inquiry into irregularities.

USA: Former president Donald Trump returned to power as the US 47th president, overcoming Vice President Kamala Harris.

This surprising comeback comes after his controversial term from 2016-2020, where he refused defeat, faced criminal charges, and survived two assassination attempts.

Russia: Vladimir Putin faced negligible opposition, winning the March elections with 87,3% of the vote. Putin is serving his fifth term, having amended the constitution in 2020 to potentially extend his power until 2036.