International Elections and Leaders: March 2021 Briefing
The REIGN Dataset (Rulers, Elections, and Irregular Governance) covers political conditions in every country each and every month. We update the data set monthly to reflect the most recent political events, such as coups, world elections, and changes in political leadership. We also provide monthly election coverage and track leadership changes in a series of updates called International Elections and Leaders.
International Elections
Four key elections for the chief executive took place in the month of February.
Ecuador— Presidential (February 7)
- Ecuador concluded the first round of it’s presidential election on February 7 with no out-right winner.
- Economist Andres Arauz received the most votes (32.72%) while Guillermo Lasso (19.74%) came in second. Both will now go on to a second round of voting to be held on April 11.
- The first round vote was not without controversy though, as third place finisher Yaku Perez and his Indigenous Pachakutik Party alleged potential election fraud after asking for a recount. This resulted in a two-week delay until the final results were able to be reported.
Kosovo — Parliamentary (February 14)
- Kosovo held a snap parliamentary election following the nullification of Avdullah Hoti’s governing coalition after the nation’s constitutional court ruled one of the confirming votes to be invalid.
- Former prime minister Albin Kurti and his Vetevendosje party won the most seats after receiving the receiving the highest vote share of any party in Kosovo’s electoral history.
- Albin Kurti will likely be able to form a majority government and will be tasked with addressing economic issues, the pandemic and figuring out the best approach to diplomatic normalization with Kosovo’s neighbors.
Laos — Parliamentary (February 21)
- Laos held a one-party election to determine representatives to the National Assembly for the next five years.
- Laos is not a democracy and has been ruled by the Laos People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) since the 1970s. Only one party is represented on the ballot and voters simply choose individual representatives for their district.
- Elections track closely with the decision to appoint or retain the general secretary of the party. The new general secretary, Thongloun Sisoulith, is in reality the chief executive of the government. Sisoulith will likely be become the new president of Laos following the election in line with previous tradition.
Niger — Presidential (February 21)
- Niger concluded it’s presidential election after holding a second run-off round. Incumbent president Mohamed Bazoum won reelection after receiving 55.75% of the vote.
- Bazoum had held the presidency since 2011 and is tasked with making further progress on the internal security situation, which includes military operations against trans-national Jihadist insurgencies and their splinter groups. Bazoum will also need to make real progress on socio-economic development programs that have been deprioritized during the current security crisis.
- The election was not without contention though. Post-election violence took place after opposition candidate Mahamane Ousmane alleged fraud. At least two people have been killed and significant property damage took place. Nearly 500 have been arrested so far as part of the government’s response to the protests.
New Leaders
Two new individuals took power as a chief executive in the month of February.
Mario Draghi (Independent/Technocratic) — Italy
- Following a crisis in government after the resignation of former PM Giuseppe Conte, Italian economist Mario Draghi was tapped by president Sergio Mattarella to form a national unity government.
- Draghi is expected to lead a technocratic government tasked with addressing the pandemic, vaccination rollout and economic recovery. Draghi’s popularity and competence makes him widely popular both at the voter level and across party lines.
Irakli Garibashvili (Centre) — Georgia
- Former PM Irakli Garibashvili has been appointed to the top post again after the resignation of incumbent PM Giorgi Gakharia in late February.
- The current political crisis in Georgia stems from Gakharia’s refusal to condone the arrest and pre-trial detention of a prominent opposition leader. Nika Melia of the United National Movement party has been accused of inciting and organizing violence after refusing to recognize the results of the previous election.
- Garibashvili has so far refused to entertain the idea of new elections and will likely follow course with the policies of his Georgian Dream party.
Elections in March
Four elections to determine the chief executive are set to take place in the month of February.
Micronesia is holding a legislative election on March 2. The Netherlands is holding a legislative election on March 17. The Republic of Congo is holding a presidential election on March 21. Israel is holding a snap legislative election on March 23.
