2020 has given the world another record for the books: in response to COVID-19, international financial institutions (IFIs) have mobilized unprecedented levels of lending for health and economic programs. While the current extraordinary circumstances may merit extraordinary levels of international financial support, the potential for misuse is an issue of concern as well.

Building an Effective Parliamentary Training System in Georgia

Local governments are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis globally, not only in managing the public health response, but also with regard to educating and communicating with citizens. Officials are continuing to develop and implement measures to address complex citizen needs today, while also looking ahead to prepare their communities for the new realities of a post-COVID world. Concurrent with the pandemic are challenges such as disinformation, citizen skepticism, and the need for greater transparency and accountability across all functions of government. 

Disinformation is a global challenge. It’s inflicting damage in many spheres of our lives. Perhaps most alarming is that it’s threatening democracy worldwide. People need access to reliable, authentic information to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities. Good information is the oxygen of a thriving democracy. It is key to transparent government, and vital for citizens’ ability to hold governments to account. 

Given the current intensity of the COVID-19 global pandemic, many countries are declaring states of emergency. In some instances, these declarations may intend to contain the virus, but they can also represent a calculated attempt to erode democracy. To guard against opportunistic authoritarian governments leveraging COVID-19 to expand executive power at the expense of rule of law, legislative oversight, and human rights, NDI is monitoring four key indicators:

• separation of powers and executive authority in emergencies