THE world should applaud Pakistan for saving democracy from populism with successful 2024 general elections despite 9 May. Biden should stand with General Milley for saving democracy (in his November 2020 speech of not taking oath to a wannabe dictator) instead of cheerleaders in DC, UK and Europe because Jan 6 was practice (Trump’s next coup has already begun, 6 Dec 2021, the Atlantic). With Trump’s cases in US Supreme Court, America should save democracy from populist sleaze for restoring democratic world’s faith in rule of law.
Accordingly, Pakistan’s foreign office was spot on in rejecting the criticism of February 8 general elections by foreign capital, organizations as neither constructive nor objective. Keeping in view the populist challenges to general elections, Pakistan is surprised by negative tone of foreign statements on country’s polls. The successful elections of Pakistan exhibit strong commitment to democracy. America has already said that it is ready to work with new Pakistan government.
Interim PM and army chief have congratulated the entire Pakistani nation on successful conduct of the elections. COAS said that Pakistan’s diverse polity will be well represented by unified government. General Munir said that nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarization. It is a clear message that rule of law will provide positive atmosphere for the economy, growth and progress.
Democratic process is in full swing. Major political parties including PMLN and PPP have started consultations to form governments. Initial reports show both parties agree to form government in the Centre and Punjab. The independents are also fighting for their political space. There are petitions in the courts. There are news, views and analysis in the media, which shows that it is doing its job despite all the criticism.
There is a need for constructive approach to protect democracy from populism. American presidential system is facing a gridlock with populist sleaze strategy since the events surrounding 2020 presidential elections including Jan 6. In UK, Boris Johnson suspended parliament, which was ruled unlawful by UK Supreme Court. Populism is on the rise in Europe. Like Jan 6, there should be accountability for May 9 also. It shows importance of holding elections in Pakistan and America.
New tools can defeat populist sleaze. Governments should devolve third tier of power at grassroots with local governments. Control dirty money because 99 percent of criminal proceeds still escape control in EU (World’s dirty money by numbers, Politico). Stop corruption because it poses existential threat to prosperity, security and democracy (White House, 11 Dec 2023). Stop unlimited funding to make lawmakers accountable to voters (Citizen United v. FEC). Bar lawmakers from taking oath who refused to attend parliament after vote of no confidence (Oregon HC says 10 senators who staged long walkout cannot run for reelection, 1 Feb 2024 Politico).
Cronies at levers of power are major challenge to democracy. Republicans plan to overhaul current executive branch and seize independent pockets. They can be loyal to president or the constitution. Formal plans show stripping facets of American government of their independence and consolidating power in the White House. Everything from the Justice Department to the spending power of Congress itself would be subject to president’s whim (Trump and allies forge plans to increase Presidential powers in 2025, 17 July 2023, the New York Times).
Due to lack of democratic checks and balances, democracies will turn into dictatorships. It will make MPs dependent on president/PM/party heads instead of serving their constituencies democratically. Further centralization will be at the cost of good governance, social mobility and transparency. It will derail trichotomy of power, which is guardrail of democracy in a modern state. Republican Party has already withdrawn from US commission on presidential debate (14 April 2022, Reuters).
Colorado State Supreme Court removed Trump from ballot for Jan 6 insurrection or violation of oath. Now all eyes are on US Supreme Court. The hearings show that US SC is likely to leave the matter for the next Congress to decide on 6 Jan 2025 (Supreme Court does not want to do right thing, MSNBC). Trump took oath of office in presence of CJ but says he never swore an oath to support the constitution (28 Nov 2023, the Newsweek). A lower court has already denied Trumps claims to presidential immunity.
The Republican one-page policy in presidential system is already facing fallout in UK’s parliamentary democracy where MPs choose and remove a PM in the parliament. Civil Servants Union has told MPs that Ministerial Code of ethics is completely inadequate. Unions say there is zero confidence in process of raising complaints about ministers (6 Feb 2024, the Guardian). UK civil service staff turnover is worryingly high amid fall in morale (19 Jan 2024). Opposition called judicial reforms as an attack on independence of judiciary. Transparency International chief said that UK fall to 20th place on corruption index should act as wakeup call for the government (30 Jan 2024, the Guardian).
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
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