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talkpoliticsThe rule of power, when unchecked by democratic norms and institutions, often manifests as a consolidation of authority that undermines civil liberties and the rule of law. In the United States, President Donald Trump's recent actions exemplify this trend. His administration has targeted Democratic-aligned organizations such as ActBlue and Indivisible with threats of criminal investigations, raising concerns about the use of federal agencies to suppress political opposition. Also, Trump's public admiration for authoritarian leaders like El Salvador's Nayib Bukele and Hungary's Viktor Orban, coupled with his dismissal of judicial orders, signals a troubling shift towards autocratic governance:
https://www.vox.com/on-the-right-newsletter/408798/trump-nayib-bukele-authoritarian
https://apnews.com/article/democrats-trump-actblue-indivisible-legal-threat-fbi-42f502bcb5888b12628629710c6eb21b
This pattern is not isolated to the United States. In Georgia, the ruling Georgian Dream party's actions following the disputed October 2024 parliamentary elections have sparked widespread protests. Allegations of electoral fraud, the self-convening of parliament without presidential assent, and the suspension of EU accession talks have been perceived as attempts to entrench power and sideline democratic processes. These developments have led to mass demonstrations, with citizens demanding new elections and the release of political prisoners:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–2025_Georgian_protests
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–2025_Georgian_political_crisis
Similarly, in Turkey, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other opposition figures has triggered nationwide protests. The detentions are widely viewed as politically motivated efforts by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government to eliminate electoral competition ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. The government's heavy-handed response, including the use of riot police and mass arrests, underscores the dangers of power being wielded to suppress dissent.:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Turkish_protests
These examples illustrate a broader global trend where leaders, under the guise of legal or political maneuvers, consolidate power at the expense of democratic institutions and civil liberties. The erosion of checks and balances, suppression of opposition, and manipulation of electoral processes are hallmarks of this shift. To safeguard democracy, it is imperative for citizens, civil society, and international bodies to remain vigilant and hold leaders accountable for actions that threaten democratic norms.
https://www.vox.com/on-the-right-newsletter/408798/trump-nayib-bukele-authoritarian
https://apnews.com/article/democrats-trump-actblue-indivisible-legal-threat-fbi-42f502bcb5888b12628629710c6eb21b
This pattern is not isolated to the United States. In Georgia, the ruling Georgian Dream party's actions following the disputed October 2024 parliamentary elections have sparked widespread protests. Allegations of electoral fraud, the self-convening of parliament without presidential assent, and the suspension of EU accession talks have been perceived as attempts to entrench power and sideline democratic processes. These developments have led to mass demonstrations, with citizens demanding new elections and the release of political prisoners:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–2025_Georgian_protests
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–2025_Georgian_political_crisis
Similarly, in Turkey, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other opposition figures has triggered nationwide protests. The detentions are widely viewed as politically motivated efforts by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government to eliminate electoral competition ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. The government's heavy-handed response, including the use of riot police and mass arrests, underscores the dangers of power being wielded to suppress dissent.:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Turkish_protests
These examples illustrate a broader global trend where leaders, under the guise of legal or political maneuvers, consolidate power at the expense of democratic institutions and civil liberties. The erosion of checks and balances, suppression of opposition, and manipulation of electoral processes are hallmarks of this shift. To safeguard democracy, it is imperative for citizens, civil society, and international bodies to remain vigilant and hold leaders accountable for actions that threaten democratic norms.
