The democracy It continues to lose vigor in the world, threatened by authoritarian currents but also by the reluctance of its main banners to continue promoting it. For the ninth consecutive year, most countries in the world suffered a deterioration in its democratic performanceaccording to the analysis of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International Idea)the louder consecutive fall since the prestigious agency based in Stockholm began its records half a century ago. The doubts about the Electoral credibility or the Deficiencies of the rule of law They explain part of the setback, but not only. Idea indicates that the Freedom of the press has been reduced in 43 countries, The collapse more accentuated since 1975.
“Democracy faces a Perfect storm of Autocratic resurgence and a deep uncertainty due to the enormous social and economic changes”, Says Kevin Casas-Zamora, general secretary of International Ide Equity, inclusion and shared prosperity”The violent popular revolt in Nepal, propelled by the corruption and privileges of the leader elite, is a good example of how lack of equity can ruin social peace.
Democratic deterioration is not always apparent. Last year was a year of superciclo electoral. Nearly 1.6 billion people came to vote. But in One in five countries occurred irregularities that in question the credibility of the results, the worst performance in three decades. It happened in countries with low democratic performance as Mozambique o Pakistanbut also in some with greater tradition, such as South Korea o Georgiaaccording to international idea.
In total 94 countries, 54% of the 173 analyzed by the agency, suffered some type of Democratic setback Regarding its performance five years ago. Whether it was in rights, representation, Rule of law o democratic participationthe four major categories that Idea uses for analysis. On the other side, 55 countries (32%) improved at least one scope. Much of the global advances were recorded in Africabut also in Chile, Brazil o Polandwhere the output of Law and Justice Party of power has stopped the Antidemocratic derives that suffered the country.
Trump’s impact
In any case, the generalized setback does not help the decision of some countries to reduce their efforts to Promote democracy in the world. The report stops in the case of USA that, from the return of Donald Trump To the Presidency, it has “significantly reduced its diplomatic and financial support to the international support of democracy.” A measures that, according to international idea, “are contributing to weakens democratization efforts in the world. ”
The agency also indicates the policies of the Republican seriously threaten the independence and credibility of US institutions. “They are becoming a reference point for Excess of the Executive Power and offering more breath to authoritarian populist leaders than to the defenders of democracy. ”As an example of these policies, he refers to the administration’s efforts to restrict academic freedom, criminalize protests or question the Electoral integrity.
Freedom of the threatened press
Regarding the freedom of the pressthe report indicates that has diminished in 43 countriesabout 25% of those analyzed. A dynamic that supposes “a serious threat to accountability and informed political participation.” The main setbacks occurred in Afghanistan with the return of the Taliban to power and other countries wrapped in civil conflicts such as Myanmar y Burkina Faso. But also in more stable and democratic countries such asRgentina, Austria, Greece, United Kingdom, Slovakia or Italywhere their intelligence agencies have been accused of using spy software against journalists and defenders of migrants.
The attacks against independent media quote upwards, as well as the “campaigns organized by certain interests” in order to “undermine the credibility of independent media And of the journalists who monitor power, ”he adds citing a report by the UN Special Rapporteur for the protection of freedom of expression. In the opposite direction, international idea applauds the democratic regeneration plan of the Spanish government to“ improve both the independence of the media and the right to information ”.
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