Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs warns that Turkey's EU accession process cannot move forward without democratic reforms, as shortcomings related to the rule of law and fundamental rights remain unaddressed. 2eu.brussels
• [New] If non-incumbent women are unsuccessful in their Senate bids, however, the number of women in the U.S. Senate could drop as a result of the 2026 election. Center for American Women and Politics
• [New] Whether Turkey will follow in Hungary's footsteps and make a democratic correction ultimately depends less on Erdogan's mistakes than on the CHP's resolve. Turkish Minute
• [New] If the CHP maintains its current posture and demonstrates that it has done everything possible to nominate a viable center-right challenger, it could encourage the kind of strategic voting that proved decisive in Hungary. Turkish Minute
• [New] Nearly three-quarters of U.S. states will elect a governor this fall. State Policy Network
• [New] Because the election system is designed to favour strong parties, a two-thirds parliamentary majority seems to have become the norm in Hungary, which contains its own dangers. Balkan Insight
• [New] Kazakhstan will hold a parliamentary election in August, without naming an exact date. The Asia Cable
• [New] Democrats plan to use a privileged procedure to force a vote on new resolutions in both the House and Senate under the War Powers Act to limit military action in Iran without Congressional authorization. KPMG
• [New] Rolling, intersecting shocks on the horizon could challenge Australia's democratic resilience and may necessitate a more active role for governments. Grattan Institute
• [New] The steady rise of anti-democratic actors around the globe threatens to spill over into Australia, including through attempts at foreign interference in political processes. Grattan Institute
• [New] The Federal Communications Commission will vote on new rules to ensure integrity, security, and reciprocity in electronic device testing. Benton Foundation
• [New] The Commission would vote on an order to modernize its satellite spectrum-sharing rules - a change that could unlock more than $2 billion in economic benefits for the American people and up to seven-fold more capacity for space-based broadband services. Benton Foundation
• [New] The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote today on a resolution led by Bahrain to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Just Security
• [New] Signed in Berlin ahead of the 2026 international law enforcement delegation to Poland, the MOU establishes a five-year cooperative framework focused on strengthening democratic policing, enhancing international coordination, and protecting vulnerable communities facing rising extremist threats. The Manila Times
• [New] Members and supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party fear collusion between the Kuomintang and China - although the Kuomintang denies being pro-China. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• [New] Globalism poses a threat to the future of democracy because it disenfranchises the vast majority and empowers a technocratic elite. The Heritage Foundation
• [New] By the end of the decade, Cambodia had fallen back into an autocratic system that, due to regular, unfree elections, could at best be described as a facade democracy. BTI 2026
• [New] Any reform must respect due process, transparency and the rule of law; otherwise it will undermine public trust, harm service delivery, and weaken India's democratic fabric. Ekam IAS Academy
• [New] In short, this month's election will have consequences far beyond Hungary, a country that accounts for just 1.1% of the EU's GDP and 2% of its population but has, under Orban, come to play a role on the international stage out of all proportion to its size. The Guardian
• [New] In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the primary danger from terrorism is posed by 'ADF, a militant group with links to Daesh'. Cambridge Core
• [New] The calm and quiet in Bosnia will not last long, moreover - 2026 is an election year, with national elections due in October. Balkan Insight

Last updated: 19 April 2026