Four Elections And The Lessons They Teach Us

Four Elections And The Lessons They Teach Us

With over 70 elections scheduled for 2024, this year has been dubbed “the year of elections.” Recently held elections in South Africa, France, Iran, and the United Kingdom provide valuable insights for those interested in the electoral process and democratic consolidation…… CONTINUE READING

These elections occurred on May 29, June 28, and July 7, 2024. South Africa and Iran are emerging democracies, while France and the UK are established democracies. Except for the UK, where the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, won decisively with 412 seats, the other three elections required a second round of voting, as no candidate achieved the necessary 50% in the first round.

In South Africa’s general election on May 29, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in parliament for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. Former ANC members Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema had previously split to form their own parties, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The ANC secured only 159 seats, with 40.18% of the votes, losing ground in key cities like Tshwane (Pretoria), Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and eThekwini (Durban).

French President Emmanuel Macron called for a snap election on June 30, following strong performances by the far-right National Rally (RN) in the EU parliamentary elections. The RN, led by Marine Le Pen, gained 50 additional seats, achieving 33.21% of the vote. The New Popular Front (NPF) followed with 28.14%, while Ensemble received 21.28%. The subsequent elections on July 7 resulted in a fragmented National Assembly, with no party gaining a majority. The NPF won 182 seats, Ensemble 168, and the RN 143, leaving the Republicans with just 45 seats.

The Iranian election on June 28 was triggered by the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi. Four candidates contested the election, with reformist Masoud Pezeshkian leading with 44% in the first round. In the runoff, he won 55%, promising to improve relations with the West and ease enforcement of the mandatory headscarf for women.

The UK election saw the Labour Party achieve a historic victory, capitalizing on issues such as the rising cost of living and political instability, resulting in the Conservative Party winning only 121 seats.

Despite some incidents of violence, including reports of a pro-Pezeshkian lawyer being beaten in Iran and arrests in South Africa, the overall conduct of these elections was peaceful.

These elections reflect significant trends in global democracy and offer essential lessons for future electoral processes.