2023 marked transformation for several countries through elections

By Salih Okuroglu

Elections across the globe in the first half of 2023 led to changes in leadership in many countries, and some nations experienced intriguing outcomes.

Local and general elections resulted in political changes.

The selection of mayors in a coin toss, the assumption of the prime ministerial role by two coalitions and the inability of a candidate with a lot of public support for prime minister despite failing to receive parliamentary confidence were among noteworthy consequences.

In the Feb. 12 presidential elections in the Greek Cypriot administration, where a second round took place, independent candidate and former Foreign Minister Nikos Hristodulidis, supported by the center-right voters, competed against independent candidate Andreas Mavroyannis, who had the support of the extreme-left Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL). Hristodulidis won the second round with 51.97% of the vote.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria won the elections held Feb. 25 - 26, taking the presidential seat from Muhammad Buhari, who, due to constitutional limitations about re-election after completing two terms, handed over the position May 29.

In early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan on March 19, the ruling party, Amanat, which secured 53.9% of the vote, won 40 seats in the 98-seat parliament. Alihan Ismailov was reappointed as prime minister.

Voters in Montenegro went to the polls for presidential and general elections this year. The two candidates who received the most votes in the March 9 presidential election competed in a second round April 2.

Former Minister of Economy and leader of the European Now Movement (PES) party, Jakov Milatovic, won with 60% of the vote. Milo Djukanovic of the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS), who received 40% of the vote, resigned from his party.

Following the expiration of the deadline for the formation of a new government on March 16, parliament was dissolved, and an early general election date was announced for June 11.

During general elections, PES, with 25.6%, became the party with the most seats in the parliament, while the coalition of DPS and its partners -- Montenegrin Liberal Party (LP), Albanian Alliance and Social Democrats (SD) -- received 23.2%.

Former Finance Minister Milojko Spajic became new prime minister Oct. 31, completing the government formation process seven days before the deadline.

- Government formation challenges in Bulgaria

Due to the political crisis in Bulgaria, voters have gone to the polls five times in the last two years, casting ballots April 2 for the formation of a new government. No party was able to secure enough seats to form a government.

Nikolay Denkov, the prime ministerial candidate of the Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) alliance, reached an agreement with the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party to form a coalition government.

President Rumen Radev, who has been governing in a manner reminiscent of a presidential system with interim governments for the past two years, approved the proposed cabinet list.

Denkov from PP-DB, serves as prime minister for the first nine months of the government's term that will last at least 18- months. In the second nine-month period, Maria Gabriel from the GERB party will become deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

The general elections held in Finland on April 2 saw the center-right National Coalition Party leading with 20.8%, followed by the Finns Party with 20.1% and the Social Democratic Party, led by former Prime Minister Sanna Marin, with 19.9% of the vote.

Petteri Orpo, the leader of the National Coalition Party, announced it reached an agreement on the government program with three negotiating parties. The Finnish Parliament elected Orpo as prime minister in a 107 - 81 vote.

In Paraguay, the presidential election held April 30 was won by Santiago Pena, the candidate of the ruling Colorado Party, who received 43.95% of the vote.

The leader of the Forward Movement Party (MFP) in Thailand, Pita Limjaroenrat, who emerged as the winner in the general elections held May 14, ran for prime minister but failed to garner sufficient support from parliament.

Chonlan Srikaew, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, which finished second in the general elections, formed a new coalition with 11 parties, including two military-backed parties. Srettha Thavisin, the real estate tycoon nominated by Pheu Thai, was elected the country's 30th prime minister Aug. 22, securing the majority of votes in parliament.

In Greece, as no party reached the majority needed to form a government in the general election held on May 21, the public went to the polls for the second time on June 25.

The election resulted in the victory of the ruling New Democracy Party, which received 40.68% of the vote. Kiryakos Mitsotakis, its leader, was sworn in June 26 in the presence of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, once again starting his term as prime minister.

- Leadership changes in Spain after general elections

In Spain, local elections held May 28 saw an increase in the strength of right-wing opposition parties. The main opposition right-wing People's Party (PP) received 31.5%, the major partner of the left-wing coalition government, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), received 28.11% and right-wing opposition party Vox received 7.18% of the vote.

In five of 8,131 settlements, where candidates received equal votes, mayors were determined in a coin toss.

A day after elections, PSOE leader and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, announced that the general elections, originally planned for December, would be held July 23.

Despite PP winning 137 seats, PSOE 121, and Vox 33 seats in general elections, no party or bloc, either on the left or right, could secure a majority in parliament.

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the leader of PP, failed to obtain a vote of confidence in parliament despite support from the Canary Islands Coalition and the Navarre People's Union, each having one seat.

Subsequently, given the task of forming a government, Sanchez reached an agreement with the Sumar alliance, consisting of small left-wing parties, on the condition of granting amnesty to Catalan separatists, and formed the new government.

In Guinea-Bissau parliamentary elections held June 4, the Inclusive Alliance Platform (PAI)-Terra Ranka won 54 of 102 seats, while President Umaro Sissoco Embalo's Democratic Change Movement (MADEM G-15) won 29 seats.

On Dec. 1, Embalo, stating that the conflict between security forces and soldiers was a coup attempt, dissolved parliament.

Embalo, without providing a reason, dismissed Prime Minister Geraldo Martins on Dec. 12, whom he reappointed Dec. 20.