As we approach International Women’s Day under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” we should consider the importance of investing in role models not only for girls but also for boys in promoting and implementing gender equality. While empowering girls with strong female role models is essential, it’s equally vital to ensure that boys […]
The news in mid-April that the European Parliament will extend visa-free travel to Kosovars will fundamentally shift the domestic political dynamic for years to come. It is a long-made promise that various ruling parties have dangled in front of the increasingly young electorate for many years. It was under Albin Kurti’s watch when it happened, […]
This month, Nigerian citizens will go to the polls and elect a new president and vice-president and members of the House of Representatives and Senate. BCI team members have lived and worked in Nigeria and seen previous elections up close, so we’re paying close attention to February 25th!But why should the world pay attention?With 176,846 […]
Ognian Boyadjiev BCI Senior Advisor, based in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the end of this week, the Central Election Commission will formally confirm the names of Bulgaria’s new MPs and next week, President Rumen Radev will announce the date on which he will convene the new parliament’s first session. There is little festivity in the […]
Viktor Orban’s Fidesz Political Party held ⅔ of parliamentary seats since 2010 giving it a ‘super majority’ allowing it the power to change fundamental laws in its favour, most notably the election laws – on April 3rd’s general election they secured yet another supermajority.
Led by ten FOE-focused civil-society organisations, “Free Voices” #AswatHorra is a joint Libyan-Lebanese initiative that promotes freedom of expression. Libya and Lebanon are very different but, at the same time, are witnessing common challenges with freedom of expression such as violations and intimidation against independent media, civil society, and critical voices; the spread of hate speech and disinformation; and the overall restriction of fundamental civil liberties.
Earlier this year, Eszter Kosa wrote about her personal disappointment and sense of betrayal in her country’s democratic decline. Following efforts by Hungary’s opposition parties to engage citizens in reviving their democracy, Eszter and Francesca Binda review the recent primaries process.What’s at stake?Hungary will hold national elections in the spring of 2022. Viktor Orban has […]
Canada’s 2021 elections: wtf?With several votes still to count, and possibly a small change in seat distribution, we wanted to offer some initial thoughts on Monday’s general elections in Canada and provide some key takeaways from this election and the results.Plus ça changeNothing changes — the Trudeau Liberals called an election to improve their seat […]
A personal reflection By Eszter Kósa 1990: Hope and optimism In 1989-90, together with other eastern European countries which belonged to the Soviet bloc after World War II, Hungary went through a “peaceful” revolution — a democratic transition from authoritarian state socialism to democracy with free elections and a market economy. The Berlin wall fell, […]