Democracy
New Greek law blocks far-right party from running in upcoming election
Spyros Tsoutsoumpis, a lecturer in modern European history at the University of Manchester, discusses with The World’s host Carol Hills the implications of Greece banning the far-right Greek National Party from running in elections.
Hong Kong national security law to take effect; Iran sentences journalist to death; Koalas could be extinct by 2050 in New South Wales
A controversial national security law for Hong Kong is set to take effect, as pro-democracy advocates warn of eroding freedoms in the semi-autonomous region. New reports say US President Donald Trump was briefed in February about suspected Russian bounties on US soldiers, contradicting the president’s claims. An Iranian journalist has been sentenced to death. An Australian inquiry shows koalas in NSW could become extinct by 2050.
‘Smart vote’ protests in Russia deal Putin’s party a blow in elections
At the suggestion of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, many anti-Putin voters decided to vote for anyone other than a candidate from Vladimir Putin’s party — even candidates that voters might otherwise find distasteful — in Russia’s municipal elections.
Laws are chipping away at democracy around the world
New research shows how recent laws have slowly eroded the role of nongovernmental agencies all over the world . Experts have said that these actions threaten democracy in countries where institutions have already become weak. See where and how laws like these have had their biggest impact.
