Press Releases

Democracy must not become the silent victim of the Coronavirus pandemic

Democracy must not become the silent victim of the coronavirus pandemic" - That is the message of an exceptional Open Letter signed by NDI Board Chairman Madeleine Albright and NDI President Derek Mitchell along with numerous international leaders. Developed by the Kofi Annan Foundation's Electoral Integrity Initiative, (available in English, French and Spanish), the letter draws attention to the tremendous stresses that the pandemic is placing on elections and democratic systems.

NDI and the Georgetown University Center for Asian Law Release “The Promise of Democratization in Hong Kong”

WASHINGTON - Today, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Georgetown University Center for Asian Law (GCAL) released a report on the “

NDI Names Birgitta Ohlsson New Director For Political Parties

Today, the National Democratic Institute announced former Swedish MP and Minister of European Affairs, Democracy, and Consumer Rights Birgitta Ohlsson as the new director for the Institute’s Political Parties program. “We are thrilled to welcome Birgitta to the NDI team,” said NDI President Derek Mitchell. “She brings a broad range of experience and a unique perspective to our work.

NDI Stresses Good Governance as Antidote to Pandemic

Dear Friends and Partners,

As the world races to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, governments, health workers, business and civil society are working together to safeguard the health and welfare of people everywhere. Our thoughts are with all these brave citizens, and with everyone doing their part individually to address this global challenge.

Women and Youth Will Be Key to Armenia’s Democratic Success

“As a new democracy, Armenia faces a long road ahead,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, President of the National Democratic Institute, at the conclusion of a visit to the country. “But it’s clear the country already has at its disposal an abundance of ingredients for success. Chief among these are fresh democratic energy from a new generation of leaders, an increasing number of politically-active women and youth, and the support of the international community of democracies.”

NDI Names New Director for Democratic Governance

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Democratic Institute is pleased to announce that Kristen Sample has joined the organization as Director for Democratic Governance. Sample brings to the role more than 20 years of international governance experience, in more than 30 countries, with particular focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Georgia has Chance to Reaffirm Position as Democratic Leader

“As parliamentary elections approach in October, Georgia has a chance to reaffirm its position as a democratic leader in the Eurasia region,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, President of the National Democratic Institute, at the conclusion of a visit to the country. “NDI will remain steadfast in its commitment to support Georgian democracy during this critical year, and for years to come.”

Statement on Expulsion of NDI Staff from Togo and Restrictions on Election Monitoring

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is deeply concerned by the government of Togo’s expulsion of three NDI employees from the country. The NDI employees traveled to Togo transparently and in compliance with the country’s immigration laws to provide technical assistance to a local, non-partisan civil society coalition that intended to monitor the February 22 presidential election.

NDI Poll: Declining Trust in Country’s Democratic Institutions; Georgians Negatively Assess Parliament’s Failure to Ensure Fully Proportional 2020 Elections

TBILISI – With less than a year before elections, poll results released today by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and CRRC-Georgia show that Georgians continue to lose faith in the direction of their country, with 53 percent believing the country is going in the wrong direction and only 19 percent saying right direction. Further, 59 percent do not believe Georgia is a democracy now, a significant increase from 46 percent just one year ago in December 2018.

National Endowment for Democracy (NED), NDI, IRI, CIPE and Solidarity Center welcome increased funding from Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and its four core grantees, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), the Solidarity Center, and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) are deeply gratified that the U.S.