Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• WHILE more than nine million people of Pakistan's commercial hub are poised to exercise their right to vote in the general elections being held today, Karachi is set observe the most unpredictable polls of its history. Dawn Epaper
• In 2024, Asia hosts elections in some of the world's largest and most diverse democracies, leaving investors exposed to shifts in the risk landscape. Verisk Maplecroft
• Many fear Bukele's grip on power will further erode democracy in El Salvador and push the Central American country to authoritarianism. Democracy Now!
• The UK, USA, and European parliament elections are already grabbing headlines, and there are others such as Taiwan, South Africa, India, and Pakistan that could impact security and trade ties in volatile regions. ComputerWeekly.com
• Three other African countries expected to be in the top 10 of highest growth economies are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire and Ethiopia. Business Insider Africa
• Billions of people will vote in elections in 2024 in Europe as well as in India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. Carnegie Europe
• Immigration is a top concern for conservative voters ahead of the 2024 presidential elections that will decide control of the White House and Congress. Al Jazeera
• Spending on political advertising in the U.S. will jump 30% in 2024 from the last presidential election in 2020, partly driven by higher spending on digital platforms. Cyprus Mail
• With major elections in the UK, US and India due in 2024, there are also concerns audio deepfakes - the name for the kind of sophisticated fake voices AI can create - could be used to generate misinformation aimed at manipulating the democratic outcomes. Yahoo News
• AfD's success has stoked concern among Germany's mainstream parties, who fear it could win three state elections in eastern Germany in September, even though recent polls have shown a slight decline in AfD support. The Guardian
• Slovakia and Hungary will ultimately join the European consensus, Reuters reports, but that U.S. politics in the upcoming election may significantly impact support for Ukraine. The Organization for World Peace
• Large democracies will hold elections in 2024, including the U.S., the EU, Mexico, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and South Africa. National Law Review
• In the United States, the potential re-election of Donald Trump threatens the sole existence of the multilateral system and further jeopardizes democratic values. Carnegie Europe
• 60 countries - equaling more than 50% of the world's GDP - will hold elections in 2024, positioning geopolitics to have significant influence over 2024, especially the US election scheduled for November. United States - English
• The US economy added a stunning 353,000 jobs last month, registering a stronger-than-expected gain to kick off 2024 and underscoring the resilience of the US economy in an election year. CNN
• In the midst of an election year, India's interim budget for 2024 has defied fears of fiscal recklessness, maintaining a commendable level of prudence. Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
• Several of Thailand's trading partners, including the US, India, and Indonesia, are set to hold presidential and prime ministerial elections, which could affect international trade dynamics. Thaiger
• Since the beginning of the Gaza war, it was the first time U.S. troops were killed by enemy attacks in the Middle East, increasing significant pressure on Biden and risking a new war in an election year. Eurasia Review
• As India braces for the Interim Union Budget 2024 against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, the Economic Survey sets an optimistic tone, portraying India's potential to become a $7 trillion economy by 2030. CAclubindia
• The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be the last opportunity to save democracy in India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi may prefer dictatorship if his party wins. Mint
• The IMF now expects the US economy to grow by 2.1% in 2024 - an election year in which President Joe Biden is seeking a second term - down slightly from an estimated 2.5% in 2023. Mint
• There are at least 57 countries that will hold elections in 2024, including Indonesia, South Africa, the United States, India, England, and several European countries. Indonesia Business Post

Last updated: 11 February 2024