Energy politics in the year of record elections [Gas in Transition]

Energy politics in the year of elections [Gas in Transition]

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Natural Gas News
Energy politics in the year of record elections [Gas in Transition]

Summary

In this year of record elections worldwide, more and more politicians are promising to roll back unpopular green measures. by: Charles Ellinas

This is a critical year of elections globally, and energy politics is expected to play a major role. In a world record, 64 countries (see figure 1), representing more than half the world’s adult population and more than 60% of global GDP, are headed to the polls to vote for new governments or legislatures. These include eight out of the 10 most populous nations. Prominent among them are the US, Europe, India, Indonesia, South Africa, the UK and even Russia and Iran. Following a turbulent 2023, marked by wars, conflicts, increasing tension between the US and China, climate catastrophes and increased migrant and refugee flows, could these elections bring positive change that would contribute to solving the world’s problems? Will democracy be reinforced or will it be challenged even more? Whatever the outcomes are, they will have a major impact on global geopolitics. Some have dubbed it as the most critical year for the future of democracy. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the world has witnessed increasing polarisation, deglobalisation, a shift to authoritarianism, worsening climate conditions and energy crises. Would changes in government mean a change of directi...