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Between October and November, two elections were held in this small country, neighboring Romania and Ukraine, one of the poorest territories in Europe in terms of GDP per capita. Both elections were deeply intertwined, as Maia Sandu, Head of State since 2020, represents the most pro-European vision of local politics and led the process resulting in the EU candidacy in June 2022.
The landslide victory over Sergio Massa opens a window of opportunity. Milei could add the support of those factions of Peronism that do not answer to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner leadership. This option clashes with Milei’s campaign discourse and requires a great deal of political bargaining.
The new government to be formed in the coming months will have the task of reversing the democratic decline, which will not be easy. Duda has veto power and a mandate until 2025; PiS still has control over public institutions such as the Constitutional Tribunal and the National Council of the Judiciary, in addition to the state broadcaster TVP. And their discourse has deeply affected a generation of Poles.
Milei represents a dogmatic ideology, which combines economic libertarianism with political conservatism, which, besides not being applied in any country in the world, denies dissent and the possibility of peacefully confronting opinions, that is to say, of practicing political tolerance, which is the basis of democratic coexistence.
For Milei, accomplishing his political promises is not feasible unless he weakens democratic institutions. The probable negative effect of Milei’s government on civil and political liberties is compounded by the fact that libertarians do not recognize economic, social, and cultural rights. Therefore, their ideology conflicts with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Bulgaria is not only the poorest country in the European Union, it also has the worst corruption rates (according to Transparency International) and the least press freedom in the bloc (according to Reporters Without Borders); this is why the emergence of a popular figure in opposition to the traditional parties and to a questioned status quo, was so promising. However, the government leader resigned twice as Prime Minister and was elected again both times. Will he be able to do it again?