# Democracy
Last week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# People Power
Lack of transparency harming Ireland’s vital election observer role
Crunching years of data and speaking to experts, Noteworthy scrutinises how our observer system stacks up internationally.
This year
2023
# trial in absentia
Belarus opposition leader denounces her treason trial as 'farce'
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya lives in exile in Lithuania and claims her court-appointed lawyer won’t respond to her.
# coup
Thousands of Brazilians join rallies to condemn riots at national congress
Supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed buildings in Brasilia on Sunday.
Last year
2022
# Orban
EU lawmakers say Hungary no longer a 'full democracy'
Hungary was described as “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” in “serious breach” of EU democratic norms.
# Scott Morrison
Australian PM accuses predecessor of 'trashing' democracy by taking over five ministerial posts
Anthony Albanese said Scott Morrison had appointed himself to more ministries than initially thought.
# Democracy
Does 'constructive Euroscepticism' have a place in the EU?
Eurosceptic rhetoric has softened in the wake of Brexit but still allows questions of a less-than-perfect system.
Voices
Larry Donnelly: Busting myths ahead of the referendum on allowing the Irish diaspora vote for the President
Our columnist addresses the news that a referendum to allow Irish diaspora to vote for a new Irish president to take place before 2024.
Voices
Opinion: The drive for re-election is a major flaw of modern democracy
Caoimhín de Barra looks at democracy and asks if it prevents politicians from pushing for real change.
All time
# Belarus
Belarus mother of five jailed over ‘unsanctioned mass gatherings’
Volha Zalatar was arrested on the street when she was taking her 10-year-old daughter to music school.
# Hong Kong
Hong Kong organisers of Tiananmen Square vigil to disband amid crackdown
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was under investigation.
# California
Dozens of candidates try to unseat California governor in 'recall election' - here's how it works
Most of the list of 40-odd challengers are Republicans.
# Democracy
Hong Kong leader advocates retaliatory sanctions against West
Carrie Lam said the anti-foreign sanctions law should be adopted in Hong Kong through local legislation
# Belarus
Belarus leader denies repression a year after disputed vote
President Alexander Lukashenko also promised to step down ‘very soon’ but would not say when exactly.
# Hong Kong
Five Apple Daily execs arrested under Hong Kong security law
Police searched the newspaper’s offices in another move sparking concern about the future of the free press in the territory.
# Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Tiananmen museum shuts down amid investigation
Organisers of the June 4 Museum said they were seeking legal advice.
# Hong Kong
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai gets 14-month jail term over 2019 pro-democracy protest
The 73-year-old is currently serving a separate 14-month jail term for convictions related to other unauthorised rallies in 2019.
# Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar generals in firm control after coup as US threatens sanctions
US President Joe Biden led the chorus of global outrage, calling for a quick restoration of democracy.
Voices
Opinion: Ireland has dropped rank on the global corruption index - we can and should do better
DCU’s John Devitt and Robert Gillanders say the country must control corruption if it is to protect more than just its international reputation.
Voices
Opinion: Trump has been a disaster for democracy - he has laid the ground for fascism
Caoimhín De Barra looks at Trump’s legacy and the impact his presidency has had on democracy.
Voices
Opinion: If an Electoral Commission is established, it faces a mammoth task
As plans continue for a new Register of Electors Bill, the Fianna Fáil senator says a Commission would face major challenges.
# Democracy
Chileans vote overwhelmingly to replace their constitution
The vote came a year to the day after more than one million people thronged downtown Santiago amidst a wave of social unrest.
Voices
Irish journalist: I spent the last five years covering Hong Kong, but then my visa was declined
Irish journalist Aaron Mc Nicholas has returned from the territory and here, he documents the daily challenges faced by journalists and other activists in a politically tense Hong Kong.
# China
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to fight for seat in Hong Kong legislature
“We hope to let the world to know how we choose not to surrender, how we choose not to kowtow to China,” he said.
# Protests
Explainer: Why is a new law in Hong Kong about the Chinese national anthem so controversial?
The law was approved by Hong Kong legislators on Thursday.
# Democracy
Unrest returns to Hong Kong as politicians battle for key committee position
Hong Kong reopened in recent days after riding out the Covid-19 health emergency.
# Coronavirus
Britain cancels its May local elections due to coronavirus outbreak
The Electoral Commission yesterday wrote to ministers warning of ‘real risks’ to holding the elections as planned on 7 May.
# FG attack
'Barristers cannot discriminate': Bar Council responds to criticism of FF TD who advised Gerry Adams
In other #GE2020 news, Sinn Féin accused Mairéad McGuinness’ Auschwitz comments of revealing a ‘panic and desperation’.
# carrie lam
Hong Kong leader to 'listen humbly' after pro-democracy parties crush opposition at local elections
The Labour Party in Hong Kong attributed to the victory to the “sweat, blood and tears” of protesters.
# Democracy
Hong Kong voters wait in hundred metre-long queues to cast their ballot in elections
One-third of registered voters had cast their ballot in the first five hours.
# Democracy
US Senate angers China after it unanimously passes bill supporting democracy in Hong Kong
A measure banning the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets and other equipment that have been used by security forces was also approved.
# Democracy
Why was there such a big fuss over 'Votegate' and what happens next?
There have been calls for a review of the voting system, but some TDs have said deputies simply need to follow the rules.
# crisis
'Carrie Lam step down!': Chaotic scenes in Hong Kong legislature as hecklers shout down major speech
The speech by chief executive Carrie Lam was billed as an attempt to win hearts and minds after four months of seething pro-democracy protests.
# Democracy
Hong Kong protesters march to US consulate to increase pressure on Beijing
Millions of Hong Kongers have protested in the past three months.
# Democracy
Hong Kong police ban pro-democracy rally over fears of violence by protesters
It follows a return to violence during protests in the region last weekend.
# Democracy
Hundreds of thousands attend another huge protest in Hong Kong
Weeks of demonstrations have plunged the city into crisis.
# Hong Kong
'We wouldn’t like to see Tiananmen Square happen again' - Hong Kong citizens in Ireland on why they support the protests
Hong Kongers in Ireland believe there is no end in sight for protesters.
# Democracy
'If we stop now, things will only get worse': More mass protests take place in Hong Kong
Rival pro-democracy and pro-government demonstrations were held in the city today.
# a costly lesson
Bertie Ahern worried Ireland was 'a laughing stock with our stupid old pencils', so why was e-voting never introduced?
The history of e-voting in Ireland is a long, winding, costly saga.
# Democracy
Irish people are split over whether we should have another go at e-voting
Fewer than half of poll respondents thought it was a good idea.
Voices
Opinion: Directly elected mayors would be good for democracy
Citizens of some cities will vote on Friday as to whether to introduce a directly elected mayor – the move would boost local government, writes Deiric Ó Broin .
