Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] The European Commission has unveiled its European Democracy Shield initiative, which is aimed at countering disinformation, fake news, and hybrid threats linked to foreign interference as Europe heads into key elections. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] If Proposition 50 passes, five California congressional seats are expected to become either competitive for or easily winnable by Democratic candidates. State Court Report
• [New] The Federal Communications Commission will vote in November to repeal a ruling that requires telecom providers to secure their networks, acting on a request from the biggest lobby groups representing Internet providers. Techdirt
• [New] The Mobile Voting Foundation is a 501 (3) organization that supports and maintains the development of technology that will increase voting access by allowing Americans to securely vote from their mobile devices. Finger Lakes Times
• [New] Election vendors Sequent and Democracy Live will begin implementing VoteSecure into their existing election product offerings in 2026. Finger Lakes Times
• [New] The U.K. government has set itself the goal of getting the planned agri-food agreement online by 2027 so voters can begin to feel the benefits at supermarket checkouts ahead of the next election. Politico
• [New] From 2027 onward Brazil will have no choice but to adopt much tougher fiscal discipline, regardless of who wins the 2026 presidential election. The Rio Times
• [New] More fundamentally, assuming that China eventually follows the democratic path of other Asian Tigers, by then the techno-economic war will long be over, with the United States and the West having lost much of their national power industry base. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | ITIF
• [New] Mahmood is to announce the UK will stop granting visas to people from Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo if their governments do not rapidly improve co-operation on removals. Yahoo News Canada
• [New] Democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to take it, while Taipei accuses Beijing of using espionage and infiltration to weaken its defences. Space War
• [New] China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. Sino Daily
• [New] Beginning in 2026, certain Medicare enrollees who are 36 months post kidney transplant, and therefore no longer eligible for full Medicare coverage, can elect to continue Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs by paying a premium. Alston & Bird
• [New] There is more than a year until NSW voters will get another chance to vote. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Al-Haq warns that the impending vote on a Resolution based on US demands, concerns the Security Council's manifest abdication of its responsibility, and the further undermining and rejection of Palestinian self-determination. Al-Haq | Defending Human rights in Palestine since 19
• [New] The Security Council is expected to vote on a U.S. proposal for a U.N. mandate that would establish an international stabilization force in Gaza despite opposition from Russia, China and some Arab countries. The American Legion
• [New] Democratic-led states like California are signaling they will not sit quietly while GOP-controlled states attempt similar mid-cycle redraws. TPR
• [New] Or the United States could end gerrymandering and first-past-the-post voting by moving to a system of proportional representation, as in Germany, where parliamentary seats are awarded proportionately to vote share. The Atlantic
• [New] The only way Chinese attacks will end is if China becomes a free, democratic country. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | ITIF
• [New] The potential for a new, powerful phase of growth is unequivocally present-AI for intellectual expansion and problem-solving, and Blockchain for establishing global trust and democratic governance. grabind.com
• [New] The impending UN vote could strain US-Israel ties, with global implications for Middle East stability and aid flows totaling $10 billion pledged but undelivered. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] Approval would mark a pivotal shift in Ecuador's sovereignty and security strategy, though critics warn of eroded democratic checks. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack

Last updated: 30 November 2025