International Association for Democracy - IAD

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International Association for Democracy - IAD

IAD is a charity that works to defend & promote democracy around the globe.

We link people with their governments and lobby governments to promote, strengthen and safeguard democracy at home and abroad. We also work towards raising public awareness about the current state of democracy around the world and what should be done to better defend and promote democracy.

22/09/2026

The ruling United Russia party, which supports President Putin, won a large majority in this weekend’s parliamentary election. Winning a record number of seats, nearly 80% of the total, and 58% of the vote, the party faced little opposition. Voter turnout was 59%. Four other parties aligned with United Russia also won seats. United Russia’s large majority allows it to amend the constitution and pass laws with ease.

Major issues in the election included the war with Ukraine and the economy. The only anti-war party, Yabloko, had many of its candidates banned and did not win any seats. Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow on election day and condemned Russia for holding the election in illegally occupied territories in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue.

Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pro-putin-party-keeps-grip-parliament-anti-war-party-gains-tiny-regional-2026-09-21/
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/21/russia-election-putin-moscow-attack-ukraine.html

15/09/2026

The International Day of Democracy, observed annually since 2008 by the United Nations on 15 September, provides an occasion for the international community to reflect on the state of democracy in the world and strengthen efforts to promote democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights. This year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for greater dialogue, cooperation, and participation to “build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.”

To further the UN’s democracy promotion efforts, the United Nations Democracy Fund supports civil society organisations, democratic institutions, and grassroots initiatives to promote dialogue, political participation, transparency, and human rights. Ultimately, the UN, national governments, civil society, and individuals can all play an essential role in defending, promoting, and strengthening democracy worldwide.

Image: United Nations Headquarters in New York

Source:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day

11/09/2026

Sweden will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday, with the centre-left opposition led by Magdalena Andersson holding a narrow polling lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s centre-right bloc. The election will determine the composition of the 349-seat Riksdag and the next government.

A key question is whether the Sweden Democrats, who have supported Kristersson’s government from parliament since 2022, will enter government for the first time. Kristersson has pledged to include them in a new governing coalition if his bloc wins.

The centre-left parties have not agreed on a governing arrangement, meaning an opposition victory could lead to negotiations over coalition or minority government formation.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/sweden-election-what-you-need-know-2026-09-10/

10/09/2026

The far-right Alternative for Germany (Afd) won Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, falling just short of a majority with 39 out of 83 seats and 44% of the vote. The incumbent centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won 15 seats, losing 25 seats compared to the previous election. Voter turnout was over 76%. The AfD’s leader in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, pledged to form a government though it is not yet clear whether he will have enough support in parliament.

Much of the election focused on the economy, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s unpopular reforms seen as contributing to his party’s poor performance. The AfD also focused on migration, advocating for mass deportations and revoking asylum from Ukrainian refugees. The party opposes aid to Ukraine, LGBTQ rights, and renewable energy. No far-right party has governed a German state since World War II.

Sources:
https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/german-chancellor-faces-pressure-after-afd-party-wins-136249211
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/06/saxony-anhalt-germany-afd-exit-poll-ulrich-siegmund

01/09/2026

Soldiers in Niger rebelled against the ruling military junta on Friday and Saturday, attacking the country’s main airport and the presidential palace. The junta, with the support of Russian forces, suppressed the revolt. While the junta seized power in 2023 with the promise of quelling jihadist violence, unrest has continued, leading to rising anger among soldiers. Disputes over soldiers’ working conditions also contributed to the mutiny.

Russia’s Africa Corps has several hundred personnel in Niger to support the military junta. Neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, also led by military governments that seized power, expressed their support for Niger’s leaders, as did Algeria and Turkey.

Image: Abdourahamane Tchiani, leader of the military junta

Source:
https://apnews.com/article/niger-russia-niamey-mutiny-tchiani-africa-corps-f0b808785a177e51ecee71c786624558

24/08/2026

A pro-presidential party won a large majority in yesterday’s parliamentary election in Kazakhstan. Exit polls indicate the Adilet party won around 70% of the vote with 74% turnout. The party was founded this year by allies of President ‌Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has been in power since 2019. The election took place amid concerns over the economy and media freedom.

The snap election was called after a new constitution was adopted in March following a referendum. The new constitution reduces parliament to one chamber instead of two and creates the office of the vice president, to be appointed by the president. The Constitutional Court ruled last month that Tokayev is eligible for another seven-year term.

Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kazakhs-begin-voting-election-set-tighten-presidents-power-2026-08-23/
https://apnews.com/article/kazakhstan-election-tokayev-ef0cb883baa7344cc89fc1e655edbd5d

14/08/2026

Zambia’s Electoral Commission suspended the counting and announcement of election results nationwide on August 14, citing reports of violence targeting election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers from ballot boxes.

The commission said it would review the suspension within 24 hours, while no official presidential results had been released. The suspension comes one day after President Hakainde Hichilema and opposition candidate Brian Mundubile faced off in Zambia’s presidential election.

Mundubile has claimed victory without providing evidence, while Hichilema has called for patience as the country awaits the official result. The decision puts the electoral commission’s management of the count and the credibility of the final result at the center of attention.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambia-suspends-vote-counting-over-violence-against-election-officials-2026-08-14/

04/08/2026

Following widespread Gen Z-led protests in India last month against exam paper leaks that resulted in the resignation of the education minister, protest leaders are debating the future of the movement. The founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, who sparked the protests, has stated that his party will not immediately enter electoral politics but will discuss its future with supporters. Ultimately, he believes the protests reflected widespread anger over youth unemployment and a lack of trust in politicians and government institutions.

Dipke believes that entering politics would make his party a target of government investigations but still wants to continue giving voice to youth concerns. He has not ruled out entering politics later if the public supports it. Indians will vote in their next general election in 2029, when the youth vote could play a key role.

Source:
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-gen-z-cockroach-party-resists-lure-election-after-rattling-modi-2026-08-04/

28/07/2026

New UK PM Andy Burnham, who took office last week, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022 with the aim of annexing the country. Zelenskyy is the first foreign leader to visit Burnham since he took office and the two discussed cooperation on drones and ballistic missile interceptors. Russia and Ukraine have continued to strike each other’s military and energy infrastructure, with reports emerging of civilian casualties.

Burnham replaced the unpopular Keir Starmer, who resigned after two years as PM. He is similarly expected to face voter dissatisfaction with the high cost of living and slow economic growth. The former mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham supports investment in disadvantaged regions, measures to help struggling households, and new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-burnham-iran-araghchi-505af356645b8ecd779454ce0e02051a
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/19/nx-s1-5895993/andy-burnham-prime-minister-keir-starmer

24/07/2026

Moldova's parliament has elected financier Vasile Tofan as prime minister and approved his new government. Tofan, a political newcomer backed by President Maia Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity, secured 53 votes in the 101-seat parliament.

Tofan succeeds Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned earlier this month. He has pledged to revive Moldova's economy and continue the country's efforts to join the European Union, with a target of membership by 2030.

Moldova applied for EU membership in 2022, was granted candidate status the same year, and began accession talks in 2024.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/21/moldova-chooses-new-prime-minister-as-it-pushes-for-eu-membership

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