Forum 2000 June Bulletin

Georgia Stands at a Crossroads Between Autocratic Russia and the Democratic West

After the Georgian parliament approved a controversial bill that mandates organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, it’s obvious that the Caucasus country now stands at a historic crossroads. How do Georgian members of the ICDRKetevan ChachavaUcha Nanuashvili, and Tinatin Khidasheli, see the future?

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After presidential elections, will Mexico become a more autocratic country or will it remain on a democratic path?

Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, became Mexico’s first female president with the highest vote percentage in the country’s democratic history. The electoral result has put Mexico in the spotlight for international actors. What does ICDR member Elda Lorena Becerra Mizuno think about the elections in Mexico? 

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European Parliament election results provide more questions than answers

The results of the European Parliament elections have sparked heated discussions worldwide, including in the Western Balkans. “… there are fears that the shift to the far right in several key countries may frighten the center from taking decisive steps on enlargement…”, writes Agon Maliqi (a member of the ICDR from Kosovo) in his comment on the European Parliament elections, “The incoming European Parliament is more fragmented and polarized,“ thinks Natalia Stercul (a member of the ICDR from Moldova).

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The 2024 Elections in South Africa: 30 Years of Post-Apartheid

During the recent general elections in South Africa, Roukaya Kasenally, a member of the DSA, was part of a Short Term Observation (STO) mission led by His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). Kasenally shared her insights in an article originally published in a local newspaper. 

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The Forum 2000 editor’s pick

A selection of essential articles, opinions, ideas, and news from the Forum 2000 community.

Mario Soares, Portugal’s Beacon for Democracy Carl Gershman | American Purpose | Mario Soares, a former president of Portugal, provides a model of vigilance in defense of freedom and devotion to the values of justice and human dignity. “It was Soares, though, above anyone else, who emphasized the vulnerability of democracy, which he called ‘a frail and precious flower that needs care and permanent vigilance,’” writes Carl Gershman, a member of the Forum 2000 Foundation Program Council in his article based on his remarks at the Estoril Political Forum on June 3, 2024, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution and the centenary of the birth of Mario Soares and his wife Maria Barroso.