While the unrest in the country has rightfully drawn the world’s attention, it is only one of a series of challenges facing the political system in Peru. The country’s political reality is one of deep political and cultural divisions and political parties that lack resilient and effective structures, such as an absence of strong internal policies designed to increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in political parties and processes, which is an issue in a country as diverse and polarized as Peru.

In December 1991, 92% of Ukrainians voted for independence from the former Soviet Union, with a voter turnout of 84%. While Moscow saw Ukraine and other former Soviet States as remaining under its sphere of influence, from the outset Ukraine’s people embraced democracy and its government generally oriented itself toward the West rather than Moscow.

Following the Year of Action after the first Summit for Democracy in 2021, NDI once again played a central role throughout the second Summit, held from March 28-30. This year’s Summit was a global event co-hosted with Costa Rica, The Netherlands, South Korea, Zambia, and the United States.

During former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule, elections were perceived by many as a ‘rubber stamp’ for justifying a dictatorship. In the years following his democratic removal from power in the December 2016 presidential polls, elections have taken on a greater importance, allowing Gambian citizens to feel the power of their voice through their vote. Following this experience, Gambians hold high expectations for the integrity of their elections.