Tag: Democracy
-
Wagner Moura Reflects on Brazil’s Oscar Nod and the Echoes of Dictatorship in a Trump Era
Brazilian Icon Faces an Unsettling World Stage On a rooftop overlooking the bustling streets of Los Angeles, Brazilian film star Wagner Moura surveys a landscape far beyond the glamorous red carpets. Standing at the edge of the Variety offices, Moura shares a moment of levity—“I can see my house from here”—but the smile quickly gives…
-
Wagner Moura Reflects on Brazil’s Oscar Nod and the Shadow of Dictatorship in a Trump Era
Rooftop Realities: Moura in Los Angeles On a bright Los Angeles afternoon, Brazilian film icon Wagner Moura stands on the rooftop of the Variety offices, soaking in a view that somehow feels like a bridge between two worlds. “I can see my house from here,” he jokes at first, a line that carries a trace…
-
Indonesia’s Pilkada and Democracy’s Last Line of Defence: A Critical Moment for Regional Elections
Introduction: A Contested Moment for Pilkada In late December 2025, four government coalition parties—Gerindra, Golkar, PKB, and PAN—announced a coordinated move that reshaped the political landscape in Indonesia. Without prior public debate, the chairs of these parties signaled a shift in how regional elections (Pilkada) would be approached, raising questions about the balance between executive…
-
Indonesia’s Pilkada as Democracy’s Last Line of Defence
Introduction: Pilkada under Strain In late December 2025, Indonesia’s regional elections (Pilkada) found itself at a crossroads. Without prior public debate, several governing coalition chairs publicly signaled a shift that could redefine how regional power is exercised and contested. This moment has elevated Pilkada from a routine electoral process to a critical test of democracy’s…
-
Indonesia’s Pilkada: Democracy’s Last Line of Defence
Introduction: A Crucial Moment for Indonesia’s Democracy In late December 2025, Indonesia faced a pivotal moment that many observers described as a stress test for the nation’s democratic fabric. The unilateral move by top leaders of four government coalition parties — including the president’s Gerindra, Golkar, PKB, and PAN — to redefine or suspend standard…
-
PAN Indonesia: Will National Mandate Party Drift From Religious Roots
Introduction: A Party at a Crossroads The National Mandate Party (PAN) sits at a pivotal moment in Indonesian politics. With its current standing as the eighth-largest party by vote share, PAN is openly plotting a substantial rise from 7.24% in the 2024 legislative election to around 15% by 2029. The central question now is whether…
-
Politicians and the Media: United Once, Divided Now
Introduction: A fracture in the common good There was a time when politicians and the media spoke a common language—the language of public interest, transparency, and accountability. Reporters asked hard questions; policymakers answered with clarity. The idea was simple: a healthy democracy depends on the free flow of information and leaders willing to engage honestly.…
-
Funding Crisis Freezes Registration of 32 New Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Polls
Overview: A funding bottleneck stalls party registrations The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) in Kenya has halted the registration of 32 prospective political parties amid a critical funding shortfall. With funds exhausted, the ORPP cannot complete the due-diligence checks and compliance verification required before new parties can contend in the 2027 general…
-
Oburu Odinga: Democracy Principles Drive ODM’s Move to Engage with UDA
Background: A Principle-Driven Dialogue The Odinga family’s political influence has long been tied to Kenya’s evolving democratic landscape. Recently, ODM leader Oburu Odinga reiterated that the party’s readiness to engage with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is rooted in a consistent, principle-based approach to democracy. He stressed that constitutional reform and accountable governance…
-
Democracy Begets Dialogue: Oburu Odinga on ODM’s Pivot to UDA
Democracy as the Guiding Compass In a decisive statement, Oburu Odinga, the senior ODM leader, underscored that the party’s recent outreach to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is rooted in a commitment to democratic governance and constitutional reform. Odinga’s remarks reframed the engagement with President William Ruto’s political vehicle as a strategic choice grounded in…