European Journal of Political Research Political Data Yearbook最新文献

In 2023, Switzerland's profound integration into the globalized world was particularly evident, fundamentally challenging the notion of political sovereignty. Yet, this interconnectedness also means that Swiss domestic rules strongly reverberate around the world, such as in the case of policy failure regarding financial regulation. This article explores how global developments shape Swiss politics, from campaign dynamics ahead of the 2023 federal elections to externally imposed legislative agendas. Even the notorious “Swiss” direct democracy no longer solely reflects citizen-initiated proposals as further evidenced that year. The article also underscores the inertia of Swiss-style consensus democracy in gearing up its institutional design for polycrisis. It concludes with a discussion of two major political issues: the collapse of Credit Suisse, one of Switzerland's two leading banks, which marks the most far-reaching shake-up of the global banking sector since the 2008 financial crisis, and a potential break-through in the longstanding stalemate in Swiss–EU relations.

The elections of the state president by the Latvian Parliament brought about not only a new Cabinet and a new prime minister but also a new coalition and an advancement of the social liberal agenda, including the legal regulation of same-sex partnership. The new Cabinet continued a strongly supportive Ukraine policy aided by de-Russification efforts at the grassroots level. The left-leaning Progressives became part of the governing coalition for the first time, but their impact on government policies remains to be seen.

The year 2023 was marked by a dense and turbulent political period. The country faced local and regional elections, snap elections and the reformulation of the left-wing coalition government. Spain also chaired the Council of the European Union during the second semester. The victory of the right (the Partido Popular and Vox) in the local and regional elections held in May in 12 regions (Autonomous Communities), precipitated the call for general elections in July 2023. This process culminated in the renewal of the Sánchez coalition government with support from the Basque and Catalan pro-independence parties and the exclusion of Podemos leaders from the new governing coalition. The decline of Podemos, the emergence of Sumar and the disappearance of Ciudadanos characterise the new Parliament. The reform of the law on sexual consent and the start of negotiations on a controversial amnesty law dominated the political agenda. In terms of the Spanish economy, the negotiation of an addendum to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan also stands out.

In 2023, the National Liberal Party prime minister was replaced with a Social Democratic Party prime minister, pursuant to an understanding drafted by the two ruling parties in 2021. As elections were scheduled for 2024, the government adopted populist measures benefiting selected voters. Opinion polls suggested the rise of right-wing parties. Prominent politicians and government officials were involved in corruption scandals.

The government of Mette Frederiksen II took office on 15 December 2022, six weeks after the 1 November 2022 elections. Hence, expectations were high for this new type of government, a ‘cross-the-aisle’ majority, to get down to business. However, the government only used the majority to abolish a public holiday and has since then progressed only slowly on its agenda. It has been fairly unpopular with the electorate, losing up to a third of its support. The exits and defections in the Danish Parliament, Folketinget, continue to be higher than before 2019.

The Dutch political landscape is notoriously unpredictable; yet, 2023 was the most turbulent year in Dutch politics in at least two decades. The year featured two elections—provincial and national—within nine months, each dominated by two distinct issues: agriculture and migration. These elections saw two different populist parties triumph with significant margins: the FarmerCitizenMovement/BoerBurgerBeweging won the provincial elections, while the radical right-wing populist Party for Freedom/Partij voor de Vrijheid secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. Moreover, the year witnessed the collapse of the centre-right cabinet and leadership changes in more than half of the parties represented in parliament.

The year 2023 saw more stability in British politics, with new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak seeking to make his mark on the policy agenda with the announcement of five key policy pledges in January. As part of seeking to address these, the government placed an increased emphasis on immigration over the year, particularly in tackling illegal crossings over the English Channel. The government also moved away from its net zero agenda. Despite this, the party's poll position did not improve. New peers were introduced by departing Prime Ministers Johnson and Truss. Boris Johnson also stepped down as a Member of Parliament, and a November Cabinet reshuffle saw former Prime Minister David Cameron re-enter politics as Foreign Secretary.

The 2023 political year in the United States was dominated by three major themes: the legal problems of former President Donald Trump, particularly in light of his campaign to regain the White House in 2024; the near-total dysfunctionality of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives; and the state of the economy, especially inflation, but also employment. Lurking in the background, and in large measure captive to these concerns, were the issues of immigration and aid to Israel and Ukraine.

This entry chronicles the failed referendum on constitutional recognition of First Nations Australians via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The entry includes election results for the referendum, two by-elections and one subnational election. It supplies data on the Cabinet and notes changes in parliamentary composition (sex and party). It notes changes to Australia's Public Service Act, its Reserve Bank and the ongoing implementation of measures to make Parliament a safer place. The entry discusses the development of the referendum proposal, debate, consequences and reasons for its defeat. Policy issues discussed include Labor's response to the cost-of-living crisis, including housing, social welfare energy and climate transition. Issues of governance are also discussed including Royal Commission and Secretary Sackings. Finally, Australia's foreign policy, including the Australian-United Kingdom-United States alliance and Australia's relationship with the Pacific and China, are also discussed.