Sámi, Kven, and Forest Finns seek redress
The year 2024 has been an extraordinary moment for global democracy, with nearly two billion people casting their votes in what has become the ultimate election year. National elections have taken place in over 60 countries, including the world's largest democracies—India, the US, and Indonesia—and across the European Union, collectively representing nearly half the planet's population.
Curious to know more? Click on for some of the major elections of 2024.
On January 7, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term in Bangladesh's largely uncontested election. Following mass protests, she resigned in August, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now leads an interim government.
Taiwan's January 13 election saw the Democratic Progressive Party retain the presidency with Lai Ching-te's victory, but lose its legislative majority to the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang, complicating Lai's China-skeptical agenda.
On February 4, President Nayib Bukele was reelected with nearly 85% of the vote, while his New Ideas Party secured a legislative supermajority, despite concerns over democratic backsliding in El Salvador.
On February 7, President Ilham Aliyev secured a fifth term with 92% of the vote in a snap election, following his popularity surge after Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Despite allegations of military rigging, February 8 saw Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidates win a plurality in Pakistan's election, but a military-backed coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif ultimately took power.
On February 11, centrist Alexander Stubb won Finland's presidency with 51.6% of the votes, defeating liberal Pekka Haavisto. The campaign focused on national security, NATO, and relations with Russia amid ongoing tensions in Ukraine.
On February 14, Prabowo Subianto, endorsed by outgoing President Jokowi, won Indonesia’s presidency. His platform focused on economic development, neutrality, and a populist free school lunch program, continuing Jokowi's policies.
On February 25, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994 and one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies, solidified his rule in a controversial legislative election.
On March 10, in Portugal's parliamentary election, the center-right Democratic Alliance, led by Luís Montenegro, won a slim plurality. The party formed a minority government, excluding the far-right Chega party.
President Vladimir Putin won a fifth term with nearly 90% of the vote in March in a widely criticized election, positioning him to become Russia's longest-serving president in two centuries.
On March 24, after a controversial delay and mass protests, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became Senegal's youngest president at 44, winning by 54%. His victory over former president Macky Sall's preferred candidate marked a democratic shift.
On April 6, Peter Pellegrini, ally of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, won Slovakia's presidency, strengthening Fico's influence and rejecting the pro-Western opposition and outgoing PM Zuzana Čaputová.
On April 10, South Korea's parliamentary election, seen as a referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol's policies and scandals, resulted in a landslide victory for the liberal Democratic Party.
India's parliamentary election, from April 19 to June 1, saw Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party win a third term, despite criticism over democratic backsliding and treatment of Muslims.
On May 8, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova became North Macedonia's first female president. Her party, VMRO-DPMNE, also won 55 parliamentary seats, forming a coalition supporting Ukraine against Russia.
President Luis Abinader won a second term on May 19, supported by his economic policies and stance on Haiti, while his party grew its congressional majorities.
On May 26, President Gitanas Nausėda was reelected to a second term with over 74% of the vote, amid concerns over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, defeating Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
On May 29, South Africa's African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela's presidency in 1994. Cyril Ramaphosa formed a coalition with the Democratic Alliance.
On June 1, businesswoman Halla Tómasdóttir won Iceland's presidency with 34% of the vote, defeating 12 competitors, including former Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir.
On June 2, Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was elected Mexico's first female president, marking a historic milestone.
In June, people across the European Union voted for the European Parliament. The conservative European People's Party won 190 out of 720 seats, signaling a rightward shift.
In Belgium's June 9 legislative elections, the conservative New Flemish Alliance won 25.6%, retaining its lead, while far-right Vlaams Belang secured 21.8%. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo resigned, pending coalition talks.
In the UK's July 4 parliamentary elections, the Labour Party secured a landslide victory, marking its first win in 19 years. Labour's Keir Starmer succeeded Rishi Sunak as prime minister.
On July 5, Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran's presidential runoff, promising more international engagement. However, analysts say his proposals are modest, as significant decisions remain under Supreme Leader Khamenei's control.
In France's June-July legislative elections, President Macron's early call led to a surprising result. A left-wing coalition won the most seats, while the far-right National Rally came third.
President Paul Kagame, in power since 2000, won over 99% of the vote in Rwanda's July 15 elections. His party retained a majority, despite criticisms of political repression and lack of opposition.
In civil war-torn Syria, President Bashar al-Assad’s Ba'ath Party retained its majority in the July 15 elections, with just 38% voter turnout, further cementing his grip on power.
President Nicolás Maduro, accused of dictatorship, won Venezuela's 2024 election with 51%, but delayed results and exit poll contradictions raised skepticism.
In Czechia's September Senate election, Prime Minister Petr Fiala's coalition retained its majority, while opposition party ANO made historic gains, winning eight out of 27 contested seats in the 81-member Senate.
In the US November elections, former President Trump defeated Vice President Harris, while Republicans gained control of the Senate and the House.
Sources: (Time) (NPR) (The Guardian)
Major elections that took place in 2024
This was the biggest-ever election year
LIFESTYLE Politics
The year 2024 has been an extraordinary moment for global democracy, with nearly two billion people casting their votes in what has become the ultimate election year. National elections have taken place in over 60 countries, including the world's largest democracies—India, the US, and Indonesia—and across the European Union, collectively representing nearly half the planet's population.
Curious to know more? Click on for some of the major elections of 2024.