Global Elections Mark Significant Political Shifts

The year 2024 witnessed over 70 national elections globally, impacting more than half of the world's population, with significant voting trends against incumbents noted in both developed and developing democracies. Notably, all incumbent parties in developed nations lost vote shares for the first time in nearly 120 years, while conservatives and left-wing parties capitalized on this anti-incumbent sentiment in various countries, including the U.S. where Donald Trump won a historic second non-consecutive term. In Latin America, Claudia Sheinbaum made history as Mexico's first Jewish female head of state amid significant voter turnout, contrasting sharply with Venezuela's controversial elections that saw Nicolas Maduro secure another term amid allegations of electoral fraud and suppression of opposition. European elections also reflected a rise in far-right representation, while the UK Labour Party gained ground following significant losses for the Conservatives. The political landscape in 2024 was marked by polarization and widespread protests in response to disputed election results, particularly in Venezuela.