In various BRICS countries and those seeking membership, foreign policy and economic development were key points of contention in recent elections as they resist imperialism and capitalist exploitation. Here’s an overview of how the elections have impacted each country:

A Counterrevolutionary Winter 

Taiwan’s January 13th presidential elections heightened tensions with mainland China, amid Western support for Taiwan, which is considered a sovereign part of China. The DPP candidate, Lai Ching-te, a Taiwanese nationalist and anti-China hardliner, was elected president with 40% of the vote.

Lai was previously censured by the KMT, the opposition party, for his extreme anti-China comments. In response, China warned that Lai's election could lead to serious consequences, presenting it as a choice between “war and peace.” Lai campaigned on strengthening the military to counter "Chinese aggression" amid China’s talk of “reunification.”

However, he expressed willingness to work with China if it renounced the "use of force" against Taiwan. His election significantly impacted international relations due to Taiwan's importance to China’s security, as the US hypocritically continues to aid Taiwanese separatists despite its official “support” of the One China policy. Today, Lai’s militaristic stance serves the interests of the bourgeoisie, leaving the working class vulnerable to conflict amid rising tensions.

In 2022, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence vote orchestrated by the PDM, (a coalition of opposition parties.) It is widely believed the military initiated the coup, after Khan acted independently during his last term. Following his removal, Khan and other PTI leaders survived an assassination attempt. Later that year, Shehbaz Sharif assumed power amidst the chaos.

Pakistan's General Elections, (originally scheduled for 2023), were postponed to February 8, 2024.

Amidst security concerns following multiple terror attacks, the caretaker government delayed the election at the request of the Election Commission of Pakistan, in order to redistrict electoral boundaries according to the new census. This delay allowed the military to fabricate charges against Khan and imprison him, in an attempt to hinder PTI's participation. The Pakistani Supreme Court compounded PTI's challenges by prohibiting the party from using its symbol, forcing its candidates to run as independents. However, Nawaz Sharif's ban on contesting elections was lifted due to the delay. In the election, PTI-backed independents won the most seats, securing 93 out of 266, but failed to achieve a majority. Eventually, the PML-N and PPP formed a coalition government and reinstalled Sharif as Prime Minister. Allegations of election rigging in favor of the PML-N led to widespread protests.

Ironically, in 2018 the military was accused of interfering to ensure Imran Khan's victory. Key events included the arrest of numerous prominent PML-N members on corruption charges, the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif less than three weeks before the election, the life sentence given to top PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi for drug smuggling just four days before the election.

Today, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif (Nawaz is Shebaz’s brother) faces economic challenges, security issues, and negotiating a new IMF program amid external pressure, as Pakistan strengthens ties with Iran, pursues BRICS membership, and maintains its US partnership. Meanwhile, the reactionary military enforces its dominance in ongoing power struggles, often at the expense of the working class.

Spring’s Re-elections

Russia’s Presidential election held March 15th-17th saw Putin re-elected with 88.48% of the vote, while Nikolay Kharitonov, the communist party candidate, came in second with 4.37%. In accordance with Russian law, the Cabinet stepped down on the same day as the inauguration on May 7, and the new cabinet positions were approved by the Duma.

Regarding Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine, Ambassador Andrey Kelin stated that Russia "would not cease its offensive actions even if negotiations on the Ukraine conflict were initiated." Since his reelection, President Putin has continued to restructure the government, removing corrupt oligarchs and repositioning military leaders while advancing in Ukraine. Addressing the U.S. election, Putin remarked that establishing a constructive dialogue with the United States is "impossible before elections are held." Additionally, Putin acknowledged Trump’s comments about ending the Ukraine war in a day, expressing belief in Trump's sincerity. This comes as Putin continues to expand anti-imperialist partnerships with countries like Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

India's election, held from April 19th to June 1st, saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi re-elected, albeit with a narrower margin than anticipated. His party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its NDA coalition of 15 parties secured 293 seats. Although the BJP won the most seats in parliament, it fell short of the majority needed for independent governance. The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress (INC) and Rahul Gandhi, along with the INDIA alliance, surprisingly obtained 232 seats.

Modi's reactionary government faces criticism for its anti-worker and anti-Muslim policies, with his Hindutva ideology and immigration policies angering Muslims and farming deregulation sparking massive protests. The 2020 farm laws, perceived to favor large corporations, led to year-long protests and their repeal in 2021. In contrast, the INC, led by Rahul Gandhi, focuses on inclusive governance and social justice, appealing to the working class. Despite BJP's majority, the INC's strong performance indicates growing dissent against Modi's policies.

In a shift from India's strategic ties with the US, Japan, and Australia (the Quad Alliance), Modi seeks to improve relations with China and Pakistan. Despite his neoliberal policies, Modi is expected to further relations with anti-imperialist allies such as Iran and Russia. In his third term, he aims to resolve border disputes with China, with both countries expressing intentions to address the Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh border disputes.

Summer Elections In The Global South

Mexico’s presidential election occurred on June 2nd amid heightened tensions and security concerns following the 2023 assassinations of several mayoral candidates, indicative of the pervasive influence of organized crime in politics. 

Claudia Sheinbaum was elected president with 59.75% of the vote, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Representing the socialist Morena party, she symbolizes a historic victory for the working class and champions a revolutionary agenda focused on social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic inclusivity. She aims to expand social programs, healthcare, and education to eliminate income inequality and poverty through increased public investment.

Sheinbuam's foreign policy agenda emphasizes multipolarity and regional cooperation, with ambitions to integrate Mexico into BRICS. She seeks stronger ties with Latin American neighbors, advocating for collaborative approaches to challenges such as migration and drug trafficking, while expanding trade with the United States, China, and the European Union. Her administration prioritizes diplomacy and anti-imperialist partnerships, positioning Mexico as a leader in addressing global issues. Sheinbaum's support for Palestinian statehood underscores her commitment to international justice. Her presidency signals a potential shift in Mexico's foreign policy, aiming for closer relations with China and Russia, amidst Putin's expressed desire for constructive collaboration between the two countries.

Snap presidential elections in Iran were prompted by the tragic deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi (a key figure in the Resistance Axis) and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdolahian in a helicopter crash in May. Acting President Mohammed Mokhber opted not to run, leading to the election of Masoud Pezeshkian as president. The elections were held in two rounds on June 28th and July 5th:

Round 1:

Masoud Pezeshkian secured 44% of the vote, Saeed Jalili received 40%, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf garnered 14%, and Mostafa Pourmohammadi obtained less than 1%.

Round 2:

Masoud Pezeshkian won with 53.7% (16.3 million votes), defeating Saeed Jalili, who received 13.5 million votes.

Pezeshkian aims to relax hijab laws and renegotiate the nuclear deal with the US, contrasting with his opponent, Saeed Jalili, who opposes such negotiations. Despite being labeled a “pro western reformist,” he is not pro-Western, as noted by Iranian analyst Mohammed Marandi. As Pezeshkian emphasizes strengthening ties with Russia and China, supporting multipolarity, while prioritizing regional economic cooperation. He seeks to expand Iran's presence in BRICS, the SCO and enhance trade relations within the Eurasian Economic Union, as he continues Raisi's anti-imperialist agenda.

The Future Of Multipolarity 

Such transformative results reflect the changing geopolitical landscape, signaling a shift towards an inclusive multipolar reality. As BRICS countries and other emerging economies gain greater independence along with economic revitalization. Today, BRICS countries achieve strengthened regional cooperation and diversified international relations, as they depart from the dominance of Western hegemony and usher in a multipolar world order.