Incumbents face major defeats in global elections as voter discontent rises

In 2024, many incumbent governments worldwide faced significant voter backlash, marking a trend in what has been termed a "super year" for elections. This year, incumbents were defeated in 40 of 54 elections in Western democracies, reflecting widespread discontent. Key issues driving this discontent include economic struggles, high inflation, and dissatisfaction with political elites. In countries like the UK, France, and South Korea, voters shifted power to opposition parties, while in India, the ruling party lost its parliamentary majority. Despite the global trend, Mexico's elections showed a different outcome, with the ruling party maintaining power. New leaders, however, are quickly facing scrutiny, as public expectations for change remain high amid ongoing economic challenges.