New Delhi: In 2024, an unprecedented wave of elections across the globe marked a historic milestone in electoral history, with more than two billion eligible voters casting ballots in over 70 countries. As the largest election year ever, this global political upheaval saw incumbent governments toppled, historic shifts in power and emerging populist movements challenging long-standing political orders. While the United States election captured international attention, it was India and the European Union’s parliamentary elections that surpassed the US in terms of sheer voter turnout.
From the streets of Bangladesh to the halls of power in Washington, the 2024 elections stood as a testament to the growing force of grassroots movements and the deepening fractures in global politics. With a record number of voters participating in elections worldwide, the year marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle between democracy, autocracy, and populism.
Across the globe, the 2024 elections were characterised by a dramatic shift in power. Incumbents faced resounding challenges, with new leadership emerging in countries like the US, UK, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, ruling parties in the European Union, France, India, Japan, and South Africa showed weaker performances. Only in Mexico did the incumbent party manage to improve its electoral standing.
The political heart of Asia, South Asia, witnessed some of the most dramatic developments in 2024. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, home to nearly two billion people, became focal points for political conflict and transformation.
Awami League’s controversial fourth term in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the January election saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League secure a controversial fourth term. The legitimacy of the election was heavily questioned, as widespread allegations of voter fraud and violence clouded the results. By mid-year, protests erupted, leading to a revolution that forced Hasina to flee the country. In a dramatic turn, Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was appointed as interim leader, setting the stage for fresh elections in 2025.
Jailed Imran Khan’s PTI won most seats
In Pakistan, February’s election was marked by the exclusion of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which had dominated the country’s politics for years. Khan’s ouster and subsequent arrest only deepened the political crisis. While PTI-backed independents won the most seats, the military-backed coalition ultimately formed the government, underscoring the continued dominance of the military in Pakistan’s politics.
BJP fell short of securing an outright majority
India, the world’s largest democracy, saw a surprising twist in its April to June general election. Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintained its dominance but fell short of securing an outright majority, a first in a decade. While the Indian National Congress (INC) emerged stronger than anticipated, positioning itself as the official opposition, Modi’s grip on power remained, though his possible retirement looms over India’s political landscape as he approaches 75.
The US: Trump’s Return and Harris’ Surge
The United States was arguably the most watched election of the year. Initially set as a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the race took an unexpected turn. After a disastrous debate performance and mounting questions about his ability to serve a second term, Biden withdrew in July. His departure paved the way for Kamala Harris, who stepped in as the Democratic nominee.
Key Issues during US election
Harris’ candidacy sparked a surge in enthusiasm, but the race remained tight. The key issues — economic recovery, immigration, and abortion rights — shaped the debate. In a shocking turn, Trump made a comeback, winning key swing states and even securing the popular vote for the first time in his political career. With the Republicans regaining control of both the Senate and likely the House, the stage is now set for a turbulent second term for Trump, with a focus on controversial immigration policies, his hardline stance on Israel, and his skepticism towards climate change action.
United Kingdom: Labour’s historic victory and the fall of the conservatives
The Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, suffered a crushing defeat. The United Kingdom’s July 4 general election saw a dramatic power shift, as the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, surged to power after 14 years of Conservative rule. The Conservative Party, which had been dominant since 2019 under Boris Johnson, suffered its worst electoral performance in decades. A combination of scandals, economic crises, and declining popularity—further exacerbated by the rise of the far-right Reform Party—led to Labour’s victory, with Starmer’s party securing 412 of the 650 parliamentary seats.
This election reignited debates about the fairness of the UK’s first-past-the-post system, as parties like the Reform Party, which won 14% of the vote, received only a fraction of the seats. Despite these concerns, the electoral system is unlikely to change in the near future due to the advantage it gives to the largest parties.
From far-right gains to surprising coalition politics in Europe
In Europe, the 2024 elections proved that the political center was weakening while far-right movements made significant strides. The European Union Parliament elections in June saw a historic reshuffling, as migration, the Russia-Ukraine war, and economic instability dominated voter concerns. The center-right European People’s Party retained its position as the largest bloc, but far-right groups gained unprecedented traction, leading to the formation of three distinct far-right factions in the European opposition.
Democratic struggles and authoritarian resilience in Africa
Africa, already grappling with political instability, saw a mixed bag of results in 2024. Chad’s May presidential election extended the reign of the Déby family when Mahamat Déby, the son of the late President Idriss Déby, secured a contested victory. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Mali postponed their elections, consolidating military junta rule.
In South Africa, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faced its worst electoral showing since the end of apartheid, failing to secure a majority for the first time. Despite this setback, the ANC formed a coalition with the Democratic Alliance. The rise of new left-wing parties like uMkhonto we Sizwe (led by former President Jacob Zuma) reshaped the political landscape, signaling a shift in South Africa’s post-apartheid political order.
A surge in populism and authoritarianism in Latin America
In Mexico, the 2024 presidential election made history as Claudia Sheinbaum, former head of Mexico City, became the country’s first female president. Sheinbaum, who inherited the policies of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), secured a resounding victory with nearly 60% of the vote. Though AMLO’s critics argue he eroded democratic institutions, Sheinbaum’s victory was viewed as a continuation of his popular anti-poverty agenda.
The Global Landscape: A Year of Shifting Alliances and Growing Polarisation
As 2024 concludes, the global political stage is vastly different from where it stood at the start of the year. From Trump’s return in the US to Labour’s victory in the UK, and far-right gains in Europe, the year revealed a political landscape in flux. The rise of populism, combined with challenges to democratic norms, marks a crucial turning point in the 21st century’s political history. In a year where nearly half of the world’s population voted, the shifting tides of power have demonstrated the global struggle between entrenched power structures, emerging populist movements, and the fragile nature of democratic institutions.
A Path Forward?
The international arena became a stage for a complex power play. The Trump-Modi relationship, marked by mutual admiration and a shared scepticism of multilateral institutions, presented a challenge to established global norms. Their nations’ growing economic ties, coupled with their shared concerns about China’s influence, could reshape alliances and trade partnerships. However, this new alignment also held the potential for increased geopolitical instability, particularly in regions already facing conflict.
Beyond the immediate political landscape, the 2024 elections highlighted deeper trends. The rise of populist leaders, fuelled by disillusionment with traditional politics and economic anxieties, signalled a global shift in political discourse. The very fabric of democracy, especially the ability to handle misinformation and polarisation, came under intense scrutiny. The long-term implications of these trends, the rise of nationalism, and the erosion of trust in established institutions remained to be seen.
The coming years would be critical in determining whether this new era would usher in an era of unprecedented cooperation or increased global conflict. Navigating this turbulent landscape would require deft diplomacy, a commitment to multilateralism (at least from some actors), and a critical examination of the forces driving populist surges globally. The future, uncertain and volatile, hinged on the choices made by nations and leaders in the shadow of the twin titans of 2024.
