Political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on politics around the world. The pandemic has affected the governing and political systems of multiple countries, reflected in states of emergency,[1] suspensions of legislative activities, isolation or deaths of multiple politicians and reschedulings of elections due to fears of spreading the virus. The pandemic has triggered broader debates about political issues such as the relative advantages of democracy and autocracy,[2][3] how states respond to crises,[4][5] politicization of beliefs about the virus,[5][6] and the adequacy of existing frameworks of international cooperation.[7] Additionally, the pandemic has, in some cases, posed several challenges to democracy, leading to it being undermined and damaged.[8][9]
Impact on elections[edit]
Argentina[edit]
The 2021 legislative election had previously been scheduled to take place on 24 October 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to 14 November 2021.
Australia[edit]
The five state elections held in Australia during the first 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic have, in each case, returned the incumbent government to power.[281] These results have been viewed as a reward for maintaining a COVID-safe environment in their electorates.[281] Four elections reinstated centre-left governments (Labor) and the final one reinstated a centre-right government (Liberal).[281] The election in Western Australia returned a State government with an unprecedented result winning 90% of seats.[281] In contrast, in the Tasmanian election the status quo was maintained.[281] Four of the elections were held in a timely manner, while the fifth (in Tasmania) was brought forward by one year, apparently to take advantage of the anticipated elector sentiment for rewarding governments that have maintained COVID-safe status.[281]
Bolivia[edit]
On 21 March 2020, President Jeanine Áñez announced the interim government's decision to postpone the snap election. Other presidential candidates had suggested postponing the election to prevent the spread of coronavirus through the congregation of large groups of people.[282][283]
Chile[edit]
A plebiscite on a new constitution and the convention that would write it was scheduled on 25 April, but on 19 March, political parties reached an agreement on postponing the plebiscite to 25 October. This agreement also postponed municipal and regional elections, from 25 October to 4 April 2021, with the primaries and second rounds of elections being postponed too.[284]
Dominican Republic[edit]
On 13 April 2020, the electoral body of Dominican Republic decided to postpone the presidential and legislative elections which were originally scheduled for 17 May of the same year. The new selected date was 5 July 2020, and, in case none of the presidential candidates reached the absolute majority (50% + 1 vote), the second round will be held on 26 July.[285]
The general election to elect the President and members of the Dominican Republic Congress, which was postponed from the scheduled 17 May 2020 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was later held on 5 July 2020.[286][287]
Ethiopia[edit]
On 31 March, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia delayed the House of Representatives elections that were originally scheduled for 29 August, due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Ethiopia.[288]
France[edit]
President Emmanuel Macron declared coronavirus as the "biggest health crisis in a century". On 12 March he stated that the first round of local elections would not be rescheduled.[289] The choice to maintain the elections, which took place on 15 March, generated significant controversy.[290] On 16 March, he stated that the second round, originally scheduled for 22 March, would be delayed until 21 June.[291]