The Latest Breaking News from Democracy

Marine Le Pen, the figurehead of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party and a three-time presidential candidate, has been found guilty of misappropriating public funds and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and five years of ineligibility for public office, with immediate effect. Despite her decision to appeal, the March 31 ruling…

COMMENT: A row over the Spanish government’s reported attempt to seize control of a leading newspaper is only the latest example of the strictures being placed on journalists, says Chris Blackhurst

Public access to research generates new ideas, informs policy decisions and fuels innovation and technological development. Open access to knowledge helps address social issues, enhance democracy and reduce inequality.

The French far-right leader, who was convicted on Monday of embezzling EU funds and barred from the 2027 presidential election, said she will appeal.

The far right leader is banned and disgraced. European leaders can seize this moment to show voters they will fight for them, says Guardian Europe columnist Alexander Hurst

The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on 19 March has put a spotlight on the state of democracy in Turkey. It marks a possible turning point in the gradual dismantling of the country’s secular and democratic pillars.

Attacks on the pillars of civil society are chilling speech. But American democracy was built on criticism

Class, education and gender found to influence difference in views but anxiety about finances was a common theme

One in four young people also back dictatorship over democracy, the UK Youth Poll of 16 to 29-year-olds found

The poll of 16 to 29-year-olds also found most backed a ban on social media for under-16s.

It is common to talk about democracy as a certain type of political regime — namely, as a way of organizing the state with specific operating rules, including multiple institutions, commissions and consultation processes. In this way, democracy is considered a system that includes separate bodies of power such as…