Andy Burnham has become the UK's new Labour leader and Prime Minister after Keir Starmer's resignation, inheriting a party in electoral freefall. He aims to revive the centre-left by appealing to hope, contrasting with Starmer's grim tone, and faces challenges from populist forces like Reform UK.
The term 'competitive authoritarianism' describes a system where democratic rules and elections exist, but the ruling party manipulates the electoral field to maintain power. Experts like Steven Levitsky apply this concept to the US under Trump, citing tactics like pardoning January 6 insurgents and targeting critics, drawing parallels with leaders like Orbán and Erdogan.
President Trump's China visit occurs amid a US-Iran stalemate, with analysts suggesting Xi Jinping holds more leverage. Many in Beijing view Trump as a symptom of liberal democracy's instability and American decline, validating Xi's "rise of the East" worldview. This perception of US weakness could lead China to miscalculate and test Washington.
Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule, characterized by 'illiberal democracy' and constant conflict, has ended. Voters, exhausted by economic inequality and seeking an inclusive national message, decisively rejected his 'winner takes all' approach.
