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] As Uganda's January election nears, UN officials and rights groups sound alarms over mass arrests, violence at opposition rallies, and escalating threats to press freedom. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Americans who oppose Trump fear fresh erosions of democratic accountability in 2026. CNN
• [New] The battle for control of state legislatures across the United States is heating up as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with Democratic strategists eyeing key opportunities in Arizona, Kansas, and California. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The United National Movement government of Kamala Persad Bissessar could become increasingly popular for its alignment with the United States on Venezuela, particularly if the U.S. acts decisively producing a restoration of democracy in Venezuela with minimal adverse effects on Trinidad and Tobago. IndraStra Global
• [New] 2026 is an election year, meaning that deepfake fraud and cognitive attacks will surge. Center for Internet Security
• [New] In other European elections, the Social Democrats will win most seats in the Swedish election in September, and Armenia holds an identity-defining vote. Nerd Writes The World
• [New] Germany's AfD will seek to break through the electoral firewall that has kept out the far-right since the end of WW2, especially in the crucial election in Saxony-Anhalt in September 2026. Nerd Writes The World
• [New] Hungary's 2026 election will shape both its domestic politics and international alliances. Al Jazeera
• [New] The popular election of judges and the appointment of Godoy as attorney general have raised concerns that Mexico's judiciary and Attorney General's Office will be unduly influenced by the federal executive and thus lose their independence. Mexico News Daily
• [New] Democrats will be far more energized to go out and vote against Republicans and Donald Trump in 2026 than Republicans will be to keep him propped up. CBC
• [New] By end of 2026, at least one US ally or major democracy (EU member, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea) will ban or severely restrict a specific frontier AI model for national security or public safety reasons. Retaining Agency
• [New] 2026 is bound to be an important one for US-Colombia relations, as a presidential election will be an opportunity to begin forging closer ties. Atlantic Council
• [New] As of now, only 15% of independents, 19% of young adults, and 29% of Hispanics say that they will vote for Republican candidates in 2026. Brookings
• We hold no sympathy for the corrupt and undemocratic Maduro government in Venezuela, however unlawful aggression will only produce another Libya or Syria scenario, not democracy. Volt Europa
• Domestic drama will further complicate matters - 2026 will be an election year in Israel. Middle East Institute
• Maintaining primary fiscal surpluses - a core IMF requirement - will demand sustained political commitment to tax reform and spending restraint, a difficult task in a pre-election environment. THE AsiaN

Last updated: 04 January 2026