By: Christoph Sponsel* Elections and power transitions are not only the mechanism by which a society elects its rulers and representatives and they assume their functions. They are also key moments in which the state of democracy itself becomes visible. The security of the candidates, the counting of votes, the acceptance of the results and the transition of power offer important indications as to how much a society keeps democratic norms alive.
By: Christoph Sponsel* Elections and power transitions are not only the mechanism by which a society elects its rulers and representatives and they assume their functions. They are also key moments in which the state of democracy itself becomes visible. The security of the candidates, the counting of votes, the acceptance of the results and the transition of power offer important indications as to how much a society keeps democratic norms alive.