Latest Democracy News

Democracy declined for 8th straight year around the globe, institute finds

Sep. 16, 2024 20:42 PM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Last year had the worst decline in credible elections and parliamentary oversight in almost a half-century, driven by government intimidation, foreign interference, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence in campaigns, an organization promoting...

Bolivia's iconic ex-President Morales calls for anti-government march as political fight escalates

Sep. 16, 2024 20:32 PM EDT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia's hugely popular and controversial former leftist president, Evo Morales, on Monday called on supporters to take to the streets in protest against his bitter political rival, current President Luis Arce, who hours earlier accused Morales on national TV of trying to...

US hits more Georgian officials with asset freezes and visa bans for ‘undermining democracy’

Sep. 16, 2024 12:04 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is hitting more senior Georgian officials and others with sanctions for undermining the country’s democracy and violating basic human rights. The State and Treasury departments announced Monday that they had imposed asset freezes on two...

As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy

Sep. 13, 2024 15:29 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Flanked by stained-glass windows, 54 New York City high school students challenge one another to imagine an ideal democracy. Wood-paneled walls are covered in haphazardly taped posters that students worked together to create. Ideas are written in Crayola marker...

Chile's leftist president vows to seek repeal of dictatorship-era amnesty law

Sep. 11, 2024 19:21 PM EDT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile's left-wing president President Gabriel Boric on Wednesday promised to push for the repeal of an iron-clad amnesty that has for years ruled out most investigation of crimes against humanity committed by Gen. Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship. ...

The Hungarian leader Trump cites as a supporter champions 'illiberal democracy'

Sep. 11, 2024 12:58 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Former President Donald Trump made room during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris to express the mutual admiration he shares with Viktor Orbán, the autocratic leader of Hungary who has cozied up with Russia and China and became a thorn in the side of his...

Mexico's plan to make judges stand for election is indeed aimed at foreign firms, president says

Sep. 06, 2024 12:23 PM EDT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Foreign business chambers have been warning for weeks that a proposed overhaul of Mexico’s judiciary, that would make judges stand for election, will hurt foreign businesses and endanger investment in Mexico. And President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has spent...

Prosecutors probe allegations of fake voter rolls in Switzerland's vaunted direct democracy

Sep. 03, 2024 14:37 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss federal prosecutors said Tuesday they have ordered house searches and interrogations as part of an investigation into possible electoral fraud after an advocacy group unearthed thousands of fake signatures on voter rolls. The allegation that malfeasance that...

China-linked 'Spamouflage' network mimics Americans online to sway US political debate

Sep. 03, 2024 12:56 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — When he first emerged on social media, the user known as Harlan claimed to be a New Yorker and an Army veteran who supported Donald Trump for president. Harlan said he was 29, and his profile picture showed a smiling, handsome young man. A few months later,...

South Korea's president skips opening ceremony of parliament as strife with opposition deepens

Sep. 02, 2024 06:38 AM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol boycotted the formal opening of South Korea’s parliament on Monday as his squabbles with the opposition deepen over allegations of wrongdoing by top officials and his wife. It’s a tradition for South Korean presidents to...