Elections

The stakes for Europe are higher than they seem in elections overshadowed by the far right

14 May 2024

Politics & economy

The stakes for Europe are higher than they seem in elections overshadowed by the far right

In the 6 to 9 June elections, Europeans are staking much more than it seems: with unprecedented support for the far right, between high levels of discontent and disinformation, they risk condemning themselves to losing social rights and legitimising a divided and ineffective European [...]Read the full article

Azerbaijan's crackdown on the opposition and independent media continues unabated

4 April 2024

Azerbaijan’s crackdown on the opposition and independent media continues unabated

The wave of repression that began in the summer of 2023 has continued following the February 2024 presidential election. For the last 20 years, Azerbaijan has steadily slipped down the international rankings for democratic principles and freedom of [...]Read the full article

2024 is a year of elections. Can they be free and fair without civic space?

7 February 2024

Politics & economy

2024 is a year of elections. Can they be free and fair without civic space?

Mandeep Tiwana: “Although most countries have embraced the ritual of elections, the quality of democracy on offer is poor. In short, many elections in 2024 will be less free and transparent than the winners want us to believe.”Read the full article

As digital censorship concerns cloud DR Congo's crucial election, elsewhere in Francophone Africa, internet shutdowns also threaten livelihoods and democracy

15 December 2023

Politics & economy

As digital censorship concerns cloud DR Congo’s crucial election, elsewhere in Francophone Africa, internet shutdowns also threaten livelihoods and democracy

“Internet shutdowns have a negative impact on democracy in French-speaking Africa, especially during election periods. They constitute a form of censorship that limits freedom of expression and access to information. They prevent citizens from finding out about candidates and election issues, [...]Read the full article

Verónica Gago, essayist: “Inflation is driving what is happening and pulverising everything else”

16 October 2023

Politics & economy

Verónica Gago, essayist: “Inflation is driving what is happening and pulverising everything else”

The success of the far right in Argentina “cannot be separated from a critical political and economic situation [with galloping inflation] that makes you feel like your income is losing value from one minute to the next. It’s a daily battle through the economy, which causes tremendous [...]Read the full article

Alondra Carrillo: “We are currently witnessing an acceleration of authoritarianism and the deprivation of fundamental rights”

2 June 2023

Politics & economy

Alondra Carrillo: “We are currently witnessing an acceleration of authoritarianism and the deprivation of fundamental rights”

“In addition to being a health crisis, the pandemic has resulted in a global restructuring of our living and working conditions,” says Chilean psychologist Alondra Carrillo, former spokesperson for the Coordinadora Feminista 8M and member of the Constitutional Convention of [...]Read the full article

11 May 2023

Turkey’s political future is at a crossroads

Enis Coşkun: On 14 May, the people of Turkey will elect their president and members of parliament. A hundred years after the foundation of a secular state under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, these elections are crucial to the country’s [...]Read the full article

In Brazil, workers' rights have been continuously eroded since the 2017 labour code reform

26 October 2022

In Brazil, workers’ rights have been continuously eroded since the 2017 labour code reform

For the past five years, workers in Latin America’s largest country have faced job insecurity, rising unemployment and weakened trade unions.Read the full article

Food insecurity is at the heart of the 2022 Brazilian election campaign

28 September 2022

Politics & economy

Food insecurity is at the heart of the 2022 Brazilian election campaign

Hard hit by the pandemic and several years of economic woes, Brazil’s poor population is once again experiencing disturbing levels of food insecurity, affecting nearly 125 million people, that is, almost six out of ten Brazilians.Read the full article

Will Colombia's new president be able to deliver on the myriad reforms he promised voters?

15 July 2022

Politics & economy

Will Colombia’s new president be able to deliver on the myriad reforms he promised voters?

The leftist president-elect is seeking to form a coalition government that will allow him to deliver the far-reaching reforms he has promised. The economy will be the yardstick by which he will be measured.Read the full article

Armenia: wounds unhealed one year after the war

10 November 2021

Politics & economy

Armenia: wounds unhealed one year after the war

On 10 November 2020, the Nagorno-Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan came to an end. The conflict left thousands dead and wounded and tens of thousands of people displaced. Armenia is still stinging from its defeat and has yet to turn the [...]Read the full article

Nicaragua goes to the polls with opponents in jail and the government accused of crimes against humanity

8 October 2021

Politics & economy

Nicaragua goes to the polls with opponents in jail and the government accused of crimes against humanity

On 7 November, Nicaraguans will elect a president. They will do so amid a wave of repression, with a presidential couple seeking re-election and controlling all the powers of the state. Daniel Ortega has already accumulated 25 years in power, more than any dictator from the country’s [...]Read the full article

One year after the protests, workers in Belarus are still pushing for democracy and labour rights

18 August 2021

One year after the protests, workers in Belarus are still pushing for democracy and labour rights

Protests, walk-outs and work stoppages from workers at some of Belarus’s biggest heavy industries played a key role in Belarus’s historic pro-democracy movement last August.Read the full article

The ILO's condemnation of Belarus is unequivocal – but so is China and Russia's support for Lukashenko

8 July 2021

The ILO’s condemnation of Belarus is unequivocal – but so is China and Russia’s support for Lukashenko

Frank Hoffer: The ILO’s findings not only demand clear action by Belarus to respect international human rights, but they also establish a moral imperative for the international community not to stand idly by.Read the full article

The women's revolution: what the coup means for gender equality in Myanmar

7 May 2021

Politics & economy

The women’s revolution: what the coup means for gender equality in Myanmar

Women have been at the forefront of protests against the coup that deposed Myanmar’s civilian government led by the iconic Aung San Suu Kyi. The role they will play and the space they will occupy going forward, whether under military rule or a restored democracy, remains to be [...]Read the full article

Central African refugees are caught between a rock and hard place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

15 March 2021

Central African refugees are caught between a rock and hard place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

As the Central African Republic experiences new outbreaks of violence, people are fleeing en masse to neighbouring countries, posing the risk of a humanitarian disaster.Read the full article

Catalonia, a frozen conflict in the heart of the EU?

12 March 2021

Politics & economy

Catalonia, a frozen conflict in the heart of the EU?

Given the significant differences between the positions of key political players (left, right, anti-system, nationalist, constitutionalist, etc.), there is a real risk that the ‘Catalan conflict’ will join the list of frozen conflicts.Read the full article

Western Sahara: an example of unabashed political bartering

14 January 2021

Politics & economy

Western Sahara: an example of unabashed political bartering

Jesús A. Núñez Villaverde: Morocco is continuing to score points in its overt bid to gain total control of Western Sahara, tipping the balance ever more clearly in its favour. The UN and the ‘Group of Friends’ have long since given up on jeopardising their ties with Rabat for the sake of the [...]Read the full article

As Poland's women's movement celebrates a tentative victory, LGBTI activists are still fighting PiS's ugly culture war

10 November 2020

As Poland’s women’s movement celebrates a tentative victory, LGBTI activists are still fighting PiS’s ugly culture war

With the work of human rights organisations regularly obstructed, with independent media under fire, and the courts filled with PiS loyalists, the ruling party has launched an ugly, multi-pronged culture war on Poland’s LGBTI community, in a bid to further polarise a divided society and [...]Read the full article

15 October 2020

Politics & economy

Can Bolivia’s upcoming elections rescue its hijacked democracy?

Víctor Báez Mosqueira : For almost a year now, Bolivians have been enduring massacres, repression, detentions and exile. According the Defensoría del Pueblo, the de facto government “has committed crimes against humanity.” A country crying out for a return to the rule of law will finally get a chance to vote on 18 [...]Read the full article

The political awakening of young Belarusians

23 September 2020

Politics & economy

The political awakening of young Belarusians

Spearheading the demonstrations that have rocked the Belarusian regime since the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s youth have become unexpected players on the political stage. Whether for or against the leader, they have been stirred into action, and are set to be the [...]Read the full article

Covid is no reason to obstruct democracy

14 September 2020

Politics & economy

Covid is no reason to obstruct democracy

Andrew Firmin: “The pandemic certainly makes elections harder, but it does not make them impossible, and there is an emerging body of good practice about how to hold elections during these unusual times.”Read the full article

8 September 2020

Once working people mobilise, as they have done in Belarus, change is inevitable

Luca Visentini: The political world may be divided in its support for or opposition against President Lukashenko, but the trade union movement is unified and solid: we support the people’s movement against police violence, for democracy, for the right to political protest, and for freedom of assembly and [...]Read the full article

The global revolution in Latin music and its social impact

10 July 2020

The global revolution in Latin music and its social impact

There is a socially-charged element behind the success of sounds like reggaeton and artists like Bad Bunny. The new stars of the Spanish-language music scene played a leading role in the marches that shook Latin America in 2019 and their influence could be decisive in the upcoming US [...]Read the full article

What lessons can be learned from Malawi's annulled election results?

29 April 2020

What lessons can be learned from Malawi’s annulled election results?

The persistent efforts of the opposition, civil society and community organisations has led to a result, following Malawi’s disputed ‘Tipp-ex election’ in May 2019, that few could have imagined.Read the full article

13 February 2020

Politics & economy

How trade unions helped lay the foundations for a tectonic shift in Irish politics

Theo Morrissey: “Rather than vying for space in the middle of a saturated election campaign, the Irish election suggests that trade unions can affect political change by putting in the hard slog ahead of time to lay the foundations.”Read the full article

Can Vienna's model of social housing provide the inspiration to tackle Europe's housing crisis?

22 January 2020

Politics & economy

Can Vienna’s model of social housing provide the inspiration to tackle Europe’s housing crisis?

Housing in Vienna costs significantly less than in other European capitals. This is partly due to the fact that close to half of Vienna’s housing stock consists of public housing, a 20th century political legacy of the Social Democratic [...]Read the full article

The worrying decline of individual and collective freedoms in Algeria

11 December 2019

The worrying decline of individual and collective freedoms in Algeria

After a few months of vacillating in response to the Hirak protest movement, Algerian authorities have been steadily retightening their grip on public spaces, the media and civil society organisations, targeting grassroots activists, trade unionists and [...]Read the full article

Bolivia on a razor's edge

27 November 2019

Politics & economy

Bolivia on a razor’s edge

The current political upheaval in Bolivia threatens to undo the reforms undertaken by Evo Morales over the last 13 years, as well as the economic turnaround promoted by the former president.Read the full article

Social and economic woes weigh heavily on Algeria's future

6 November 2019

Politics & economy

Social and economic woes weigh heavily on Algeria’s future

After eight months of protests, Algerians want change. They do not believe that minor reforms or the elections scheduled for December are capable of resolving the profound economic and social discontent in the country.Read the full article

Argentina heads to the polls amid ever-worsening crisis

25 October 2019

Politics & economy

Argentina heads to the polls amid ever-worsening crisis

“Sometimes, I tell the children: there’s nothing to eat. And they’re getting used to it. It’s awful, and it makes me angry. But I don’t want to fall apart, for their sake.”Read the full article

Despite the anti-immigrant rhetoric, Poland receives more migrant workers than anywhere else in the world

11 October 2019

Politics & economy

Despite the anti-immigrant rhetoric, Poland receives more migrant workers than anywhere else in the world

With record low-unemployment rates and millions of Polish people of working age living and working elsewhere, an estimated 1.5 million migrant workers are needed by 2025 to power the country’s economic growth.Read the full article

Argentina is forging a new crisis under the counsel of the IMF

26 July 2019

Politics & economy

Argentina is forging a new crisis under the counsel of the IMF

Argentina, in the midst of economic turmoil compounded by the highest interest rates in the world and the insistence on pressing ahead with failed policies, is heading towards a presidential election marked by socio-economic strife, political polarisation and a range of [...]Read the full article

The Indonesian paradox: where climate change denial is rife and the need for serious climate action is critical

12 July 2019

The Indonesian paradox: where climate change denial is rife and the need for serious climate action is critical

Indonesia is home to some of the largest forest mass in the world and yet almost 20 per cent of Indonesians do not believe that climate change is linked to human action.Read the full article

Ahead of the EU elections, neo-fascists are inciting anti-Roma violence in Rome's disillusioned suburbs

22 May 2019

Politics & economy

Ahead of the EU elections, neo-fascists are inciting anti-Roma violence in Rome’s disillusioned suburbs

The facts are meaningless when it comes to exploiting the allocation of social housing to a Roma family for electoral purposes.Read the full article

Australian unions seek to “balance the power of the powerful” in historic election

17 May 2019

Politics & economy

Australian unions seek to “balance the power of the powerful” in historic election

Emerging as a powerful campaigner in this election, the Australian trade union movement is calling on Australians to vote to “change the rules” in favour of workers.Read the full article

Vote for a progressive Europe, trade unions say

16 May 2019

Vote for a progressive Europe, trade unions say

Luca Visentini: The outcome of the elections will dictate whether the EU will make progress towards greater social equality and cohesion, or start to break up under the weight of national self-interests and xenophobia.Read the full article

Ever fewer people vote in poor neighbourhoods…and no one cares

26 April 2019

Politics & economy

Ever fewer people vote in poor neighbourhoods…and no one cares

Abstaining – choosing not to vote – is a free choice, but when it is concentrated in certain groups, the consequences can be dire. Those who do not vote, do not count. And the most vulnerable count less and less.Read the full article

More of the same in Israel

12 April 2019

Politics & economy

More of the same in Israel

Jesús A. Núñez Villaverde: Aside from a few nuances and the uncertainties regarding the formation of a new government, the one overall conclusion we can draw from these elections is that we can expect to see more of the same, in other words, more fait accompli tactics being deployed by Israel and more hardships for the [...]Read the full article

“Macky Sall has forgotten us,” say Senegal's landmine victims

9 April 2019

“Macky Sall has forgotten us,” say Senegal’s landmine victims

“I know tens of young men, fighters, who want to change their lives. A serious policy of reintegration for these people would be ideal. But right now, repression seems to be the priority.”Read the full article

The silent death of workers in India

8 April 2019

The silent death of workers in India

In India, where workers in the informal economy face precarious conditions, around 50,000 people die each year at their jobs. Labour legislation, currently under attack by the government of Narendra Modi, provides protection on paper but not in practice. And things could get [...]Read the full article

As Indonesia prepares to head to the polls, the crackdown in West Papua continues

12 March 2019

As Indonesia prepares to head to the polls, the crackdown in West Papua continues

“Whoever wins the presidency will be in a difficult position since all political forces in Indonesia seem reluctant to address the human rights issue.”Read the full article

Oil: a key factor in the internationalisation of the Venezuela crisis?

7 March 2019

Politics & economy

Oil: a key factor in the internationalisation of the Venezuela crisis?

Carlos Malamud: All the components of a global crisis are present in Venezuela: the international community is involved or feels it has to take sides, and some observers are speaking of a return to the Cold War. To what extent is the current situation driven by a struggle for control over Venezuela’s [...]Read the full article

The rise of disinformation and censorship in south-east Asia

1 February 2019

The rise of disinformation and censorship in south-east Asia

Rather than addressing this threat, governments across the region are either complacent, or using the state apparatus to further control information.Read the full article

25 January 2019

Politics & economy

India – a test case for democracy, rights and freedom in 2019

Sharan Burrow: What is at stake is finding leaders who will govern in the interests of working people, leaders who will stand up to corporate greed and influence, leaders who will listen and keep their promises.Read the full article

18 January 2019

Politics & economy

We need to reimagine democracy to create a better life for all

Mandeep Tiwana: Through meaningful democratic participation, better decisions can be taken, and decision-makers can be made more accountable.Read the full article

Psychological warfare and resistance, ‘Made in Cambodia' (in three acts and an epilogue)

15 January 2019

Psychological warfare and resistance, ‘Made in Cambodia’ (in three acts and an epilogue)

Critics, activists and trade unionists in Cambodia: on the verge of outlaw status?

3 December 2018

Critics, activists and trade unionists in Cambodia: on the verge of outlaw status?

On 29 July 2018, a single party, the CPP, received 100 per cent of the seats in parliament. In Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodia, there is no separation between party, state and government. Those who challenge his power – the media, NGOs, activists, critics, and trade unions – find themselves in [...]Read the full article

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