2024 was arguably an eventful year as far as global elections are concerned. Many countries went to the polls in major presidential and parliamentary elections.
From the United States to Africa, Asia, and Europe, voters made decisions that would define their countries’ futures for the next number of years.
While some political figures made surprising comebacks, hitting their opponents hard where they least expected, others made history, becoming the first with unique personalities in their respective roles.
In countries including Venezuela, incumbent presidents maintained their positions after voting. These were either criticised or praised for their retainment of their leadership.
In this piece, we present a breakdown of global elections as they happened in 2024, outlining the winners, losers, biggest shocks and surprises and other pertinent details.
Incumbents who were re-elected
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party was re-elected for a third term, for a 5-year term in government in the world’s largest democratic elections. He however lost his parliamentary majority for the first time in a decade.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured her fourth straight term in a controversial election in January 2024. After a series of protests, however, she resigned on August 5.
El Salvador
Credited with transforming one of the most violent countries in Latin America to one of the safest, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador retained his presidency, securing a second term with 83% of votes in the February elections.
Russia
In March, President Vladimir Putin won another six-year term without much contest from opposition candidates.
Algeria
Algeria’s Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected president in the September 7 polls. The Constitutional Court says the 78-year-old incumbent held his seat by securing 84.3 percent of the votes.
South Africa
South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa is still president of the country although without ultimate power. The president is required to share power in a coalition government. because his party, the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority in parliament during the April 2024 elections. The ANC lost its majority for the first time since apartheid ended in 1994.
Venezuela
Venezuela’s presidential election on July 28 ended in contention with both incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and the main opposition candidate, Edmundo González, declaring victory. However, the country’s electoral body eventually announced Maduro was re-elected and the winner of the presidential elections.
Mauritania
Mauritania re-elected its incumbent president Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani for a second term. According to the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Ghazouani won ahead of his rival Biram Dah Abeid with 56.12 percent votes in the first round of the polls.
Mozambique
Mozambique’s ruling party candidate, Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election amid claims of rigging by the opposition. Chapo, from the Frelimo party which has been in power for almost half a century, secured more than 70 percent of the votes, the National Election Commission (CNE) confirmed.
Incumbents who lost
United States
In a keenly contested election between former president Donald Trump of the Republican Party and incumbent Vice President, Kamala Harris, of the Democratic Party, Donald Trump won, making a comeback after his term ended in 2021.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, a former general who was once banned from entering the U.S., defeated his opponent and son of outgoing leader Joko Widodo to be elected as president of the world’s third-biggest democracy in February 2024.
Ghana
Similarly to the U.S. elections, the incumbent vice president of Ghana, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party lost by over one million votes to his contender and former president, John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress.
Senegal
After protests against a decision by incumbent president Macky Sall to postpone elections, Senegal voted in a highly anticipated presidential election to produce its first and youngest-ever president in the history of the country. Bassirou Diomay Faye became president at the age of 44.
Biggest surprises
Beyond the winners and the losers, there were wins in the 2024 global elections that shocked the world. Here are a few.
Mexico
Claudia Sheibaum became Mexico’s first female president after a landslide victory in the country’s biggest election so far. Sheinbaum will succeed her mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, after seeing off the challenge of Xóchitl Gálvez, who represents a coalition of PRI-PAN-PRD, and Jorge Álvarez Máynez of the newer Movimiento Ciudadano party.
United States
President Kamala Harris’s re-election was a close contest that surprised analysts, particularly as the campaign faced significant economic and political headwinds. Her victory reflects shifts in U.S. voter dynamics.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s pro-independence candidate from the Democratic Progress Party, William Lai, won the country’s elections despite warnings from China which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. The current vice president, was in a three-way race with Hou Yu-ih from the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which was only founded in 2019. He polled 40.1 percent, ahead of Hou’s 33.5 percent.
Indonesia
Prabowo Subianto’s win the Indonesian elections was a significant global surprise particularly because of his past credentials. The controversial ex-general once banned from entering the U.S., was elected president despite his past human rights record and close ties to political elites.
Rightists and Leftists, who is who?
These political leaders either represent left-wing (leftists) or right-wing (rightists) ideologies depending on their priorities. Leftists, ‘ ideologies focus more on equality and government support, while rightist ideologies emphasise personal freedom, tradition, and limited government control.
Below is a breakdown of the ideology certain leaders represents:
Rightists
Donald Trump (United States) – Rightist. Represents the Republican Party, which aligns with conservative and right-wing policies.
Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia) – Rightist. Known for his nationalist, military-focused platform and ties to conservative elements.
Daniel Chapo (Mozambique) – Rightist. Represents FRELIMO, a party that, while historically left-wing, has moved toward centrist or right-leaning economic policies.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Algeria) – Rightist. His policies focus on conservative governance and maintaining traditional state structures.
Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani (Mauritania) – Rightist. Known for continuity with traditional, conservative leadership in the country.
Leftists
Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico) – Leftist. She represents MORENA, a left-wing populist party with progressive and social welfare-focused policies.
John Mahama (Ghana) – Leftist. Represents the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a center-left political party focused on social democracy.
William Lai (Taiwan) – Leftist. Represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions progressive and pro-independence stances.
Nayib Bukele (El Salvador) – Leftist. Though his policies sometimes cross ideological lines, he has been associated with progressive reforms, particularly on security and social issues.
Luis Arce (Bolivia) – Leftist. Continues the socialist legacy of his predecessor, Evo Morales, focusing on social welfare and anti-neoliberal policies.
Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) – Leftist. Represents the African National Congress (ANC), historically aligned with social democracy and leftist policies.
Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela) – Leftist. A staunch socialist who continues the policies of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh) – Leftist. Known for her policies promoting social welfare and state-led development under the Awami League.
