Incumbents face voter backlash in global elections during super year

In 2024, incumbents worldwide faced significant voter backlash, marking a "super year" for elections. Donald Trump's recent victory in the U.S. adds to a trend where voters in about 70 countries have ousted sitting governments, driven by economic dissatisfaction and a sense of political disconnection. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, incumbents have lost in 40 of 54 elections in Western democracies. Notable defeats include the UK’s Conservative Party and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, both of which faced strong opposition challenges. In Japan, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also suffered unexpected losses. In Africa, the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since apartheid ended. However, Mexico's election saw continuity with Claudia Sheinbaum succeeding López Obrador, as economic satisfaction remains higher there compared to other regions.