Incumbents face voter backlash in global elections during super year

In 2024, many incumbent governments worldwide faced significant voter backlash, marking a "super year" for elections. This trend included Donald Trump's recent victory in the U.S., part of a broader pattern where incumbents were ousted in 40 of 54 elections in Western democracies since the pandemic. Voter dissatisfaction has been driven by economic struggles, high inflation, and a general sense of disconnection from political elites. In countries like the UK, France, and South Korea, long-standing parties lost power, while in India, the ruling party lost its parliamentary majority despite remaining in power through alliances. In Africa, the African National Congress lost its majority for the first time in three decades, while Botswana saw a surprising election outcome against a long-ruling party. In contrast, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum won the presidency, reflecting a unique satisfaction with economic conditions there.