Latest Democracy News
Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedoms
In November, the world's most powerful democracy elected as its next president a man who schemed to overturn its last presidential election. A month later, South Koreans swarmed their legislature to block their president's attempt to impose martial law. The contrast sums up a year...
Venezuelan opposition leaders receive the European Union’s top human rights honor
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — The European Union's legislature on Tuesday celebrated the bravery and staunch resistance of Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia while awarding them the EU’s top human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize. ...
Taipei mayor calls for less confrontation as China continues sending ships, planes near island
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The China-friendly mayor of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, on Tuesday called for less confrontation between the sides, even as Beijing continues to send warships and fighter jets to intimidate the self-governing island democracy. Chiang Wan-an was speaking...
Bolivia's divisive popular vote for senior judges offers lessons for Mexico
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Campaigning in Bolivia for Sunday's judicial election may be strictly forbidden, but look closer on the streets of the capital La Paz and you’ll find that some candidates have sneakily plastered their faces on packs of corn puffs and others have slipped subtle slogans...
A look at the South Korean leader who has been impeached after shocking martial law edict
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, a stunning fall from grace for a man who rose from political obscurity to the height of political power. His decades of achievement could be on the verge of crumbling due to a...
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
NEW YORK (AP) — A nonprofit law group dedicated to protecting the rights of Southern voters of color had more on its plate this year than just the 2024 presidential election. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice supports voter registration drives and monitors election...
Poland to guard major TV stations against hostile purchase attempts by Russia
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday that his government will protect major television stations in the country, like the U.S.-owned TVN, against hostile purchases, in a move aimed at protecting from any such attempts by Russia. Tusk stressed...
South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held. The past week in Seoul, officials and academics warn, is what a threat to...
Romania's far-right presidential candidate denounces canceled vote at closed polling station
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s defiant far-right presidential candidate, Calin Georgescu, on Sunday stood outside a closed polling station to denounce a top court’s unprecedented decision to annul the first round of the vote in which he emerged as the frontrunner. The...
Taiwan reports 14 Chinese warships and 4 balloons near the island
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island it claims as its own. China’s military activities come amid...
