28 December 2024
Democracy and the Election Commission of India
As I write this review on the eve of 2025, much hasn’t changed when it comes to the status of democracy in India. If anything, there are increasing concerns that the gains of democratic consolidation since the inauguration of the Indian Constitution are withering away and giving ample space for the entrenchment of a majoritarian, anti-democratic political culture. The vile and morally corrupt politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (“BJP”) have struck a chord with the voters, who continue to support its exclusionist vision of India. Continue reading >>
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21 November 2024
Georgian Dream as a Nightmare for Democracy
The Georgian Dream Party has been declared as winner of the parliamentary election in Georgia. Independent observers, however, identified a large-scale, multi-faceted election-rigging scheme in favor of Georgian Dream, prompting calls to annul the results. These allegations triggered protests and sparked a debate about the future of democracy, and the rule of law in Georgia. Due to the absence of effective judicial oversight to address evidence of electoral fraud, public resistance and external pressure are crucial to preventing power capture by Georgian Dream and halting Georgia’s autocratic shift. Continue reading >>01 November 2024
The Messiah and His Oligarchs
On Power, Personalities and Populism. Continue reading >>
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01 November 2024
Der Messias und seine Oligarchen
Über Macht, Personenkult und Populismus. Continue reading >>
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25 October 2024
Auf Messers Schneide
Wir starten unsere Reihe zu den US Wahlen 2024 Continue reading >>
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07 October 2024
The French Premiership Saga
The appointment of Michel Barnier as French Prime Minister and the designation of a cabinet even further to the right has led to thousands of protesters rallying across France. Taking a step back from the latest developments, this post looks back to some of the constitutional tensions the events of this summer have exposed. It argues that Emmanuel Macron’s actions following the snap election have relied on a distorted reading of the French constitution. In addition to raising serious legal questions, these actions have also set worrying precedents that arguably fit in a pattern of “executive aggrandizement”. Continue reading >>
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