The right amount of populism can even help democracy, says political scientist Paula Diehl. In this interview, she explains when it becomes dangerous and how it can be addressed.

“Spiritual beliefs and feelings cannot be disregarded as irrelevant”, says the Spanish Evangelical Alliance in a document on the government's new Democratic Regeneration Plan.

Protesters denounce “fraud” in the streets and the opposition candidate claims to have proof that he won the elections by a landslide. Maduro cuts relations with seven Latin American countries as he vows to “defeat the violent”.

Why do people assume that the freedom of speech and of religion will persist when those asserting their power are committed to a different morality? 

The country is preparing for the era of coalition government at the state level. According to evangelicals, it can “craft productive partnerships for the common good”.

Evangelicals in Africa's fourth most populous country share their hopes and fears.

Democracy cannot simply be taken for granted. Vigilance is essential to resist unbridled self-interest and to promote the human dignity of all and human rights for all.

In Argentina, rather than a change of government or political direction, we need a cultural change.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution monitors the movement of a Baptist and a free Evangelical church for “extremist statements” and conspiracy theories.

Evicted from its church building in February 2021, banned from meeting for worship in the church car park, Minsk's New Life Pentecostal Church has now seen its building bulldozed.

The regime of Lukashenko, a key ally of Russia, continues to jail those who dared to demand freedom and more democracy in the 2020 protests.

A Christian broadcaster in the Middle East is giving embattled Iranian women a voice after government officials shut down the nation’s internet amid mass protests that have turned deadly.

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) set up teams of observers to closely follow the democratic process. In three documents, they call politicians, the church, and society to respect diversity.

Evangelical Christians encourage the re-elected President of France to “build an authentically human society”. Protestants remind him that “the Republic is secular but French society is not”.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier was re-elected with a large majority. He is a member of the Evangelical Reformed Church and very outspoken about his faith.

An Urgency Resolution was passed by the European chamber mentioning 9 people imprisoned since the peaceful protests in July. The EU could suspend its cooperation agreement with Cuba.

The military announced a government of national unity. Guinean evangelicals ask to pray “for the unity of the church, socio-political stability and support to promote the gospel”.

“God not only guarded us, He also orchestrated everything for His glory and the good of His work”, says Yéremi Blanco, one of the pastors detained in Cuba, after the resolution of his case.

China passed a reform of Hong Kong's election law to evaluate the “patriotism” of the candidates. “Many people do not agree with the government”, says a Christian in the city.

Police officers entered New Life Church in Minsk to evict the building. The evangelical community had supported pro-democracy protests. “If one member suffers, all suffer”, evangelical denominations say in a joint statement.

Some say a ban would restrict religious freedom, others believe the equality of women and certain security issues are at stake.

The Swiss parliament approved the “marriage for all” law in December, allowing LGBT people to adopt and use reproductive technology. Now two initiatives seek to collect 50’000 signatures to ask the population in a referendum.

Joshua Wong was in solitary confinement for organising an unauthorised meeting. “A Bible passage in Romans is what gives me strength”, he said while in prison.

Over 17,000 have been detained since the start of the protests in summer. Christians fast and intercede for the country as the crisis continues.

Many oppose Lukashenko’s regime, but there is still a heated debate about what should be the Biblical position regarding the protests, says Sergei Tsvor of IFES Belarus.