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] A huge defeat by Labour will cause an implosion and what is left will become loose confederation of warring tribes a bit like the tories with a leadership election at least every year. Army Rumour Service
• [New] Germany's domestic intelligence agency classified the AfD as an extremist entity that threatens democracy, a move enabling it to better monitor the party that came second in February's federal election. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] If mainstream parties can not offer an alternative playbook for economic policy that really addresses the current crisis, they will end up ceding even more ground to the extreme right - with terrible consequences for Germany's democracy. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• [New] Another AIO platform, the Australian Digital Observatory, created a dashboard using Australia-specific Reddit data to explore public sentiments around key political issues that might have an impact on election outcomes. Australian Research Data Commons
• [New] PRC-friendly politicians, if elected, could influence Philippine legislation and strategy to diminish the Philippines' resistance to PRC control of the South China Sea, reduce Manila's engagement with Taiwan, or weaken the United States-Philippine alliance. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] Around 30 KMT legislators will likely face recall votes in the coming weeks, giving the ruling Democratic Progressive Party an opportunity to regain control of the Taiwanese legislature. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] The Cologne court's ruling, expected in the coming months, will likely shape Germany's approach to balancing democratic freedoms with the fight against extremism. Blogger
• [New] Taiwan was increasingly supported by the US in its opposition of Chinese influence and military threats, resulting in its population electing representatives that sought a more independent way of living for the Taiwanese. Future
• [New] Germany should reverse course on branding the AfD as extremist, while tech billionaire Elon Musk, who threw his support behind the party ahead of February elections, warned against banning it. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] The ongoing dialog about the role of surveillance in democracy will continue to be a pressing issue, both in Germany and around the world. Trends Newsline
• [New] In a further vote of confidence in the UK defence industry, Portuguese-owned Tekever plans to invest a further £400 million over the next five years across the UK, creating up to 1,000 more highly skilled jobs. Defence Equipment & Support
• [New] Voting is over in Canada's parliamentary elections, but ballot counting continues, as does the uncertainty over whether the ruling party will govern with a majority. FirstPost
• [New] The European political landscape in 2025 will be shaped by the fall - out of elections in several countries, including Germany and France, two of Europe's largest economies. www.hoganlovells.com
• [New] The mining of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is linked to major human rights risks, including forced labour and child labour. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• [New] Regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria are projected to house a significant percentage of the world's extremely poor, highlighting the persistent challenge of global inequality. The Environmental Literacy Council
• [New] South Africa and Gabon lead global manganese production, with diversified supply chains reducing geopolitical risks compared to cobalt (predominantly sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo) or lithium (concentrated in Australia and South America). Discovery Alert
• [New] The far-right Alternative for Deutschland party in Germany has been labelled an extremist entity that threatens democracy by a domestic intelligence agency. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Electronic manufacturers across Japan, Korea and North America have expressed interest in Canada's cobalt reserves and in developing cobalt supply chains that could circumvent the Democratic Republic of Congo and China's dominance over production and processing. MIT OpenCourseWare
• [New] The House of Representatives on Thursday voted to block California rules that would ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The New York Times
• [New] Donald Trump is a dangerous demagogue and is a threat to peace, a threat to democracy, and is also a threat to Australia. CNN
• [New] Regardless of the elections outcome, ASEAN should expect a more progressive partnership with Australia, particularly to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific and resilience against global challenges. Big News Network.com

Last updated: 18 May 2025