Freedom House Countries in the Spotlight The following countries featured important developments in 2022 that affected their democratic trajectory, and they deserve special scrutiny in 2023. Armenia: Azerbaijani forces continued to attack and occupy Armenian territory along the border, threatening the democratic government in Yerevan and raising the risk of full-scale war. Turkey: The government manipulated electoral laws and imposed harsh penalties for “disinformation” as it worked to fend off the opposition ahead of planned 2023 general elections. Brazil: Challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a presidential runoff against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, but the outgoing president’s supporters rejected the results and called for a military coup. United Kingdom: The ruling Conservative Party cycled through three prime ministers in two months, advanced new restrictions on strikes and protests, and attempted to remove certain asylum seekers to Rwanda. Haiti: A government with no electoral mandate sought international support amid persistent protests and a growing humanitarian crisis, with gang violence displacing tens of thousands of residents. Israel: Elections resulted in a new government with far-right elements, and critics warned that its policy agenda could undermine judicial independence and other core elements of democracy. Kenya: William Ruto’s election as president, and the peaceful transfer of power that followed, marked a major improvement over the disputed contest of 2017 and strengthened Kenya’s democratic credentials. Poland: The ruling Law and Justice party grappled with the European Commission over judicial independence concerns as it prepared for crucial parliamentary elections in late 2023. Solomon Islands: After signing a security pact with Beijing, the government asserted control over the media and postponed general elections from 2023 to 2024. Sri Lanka: Following protests over a worsening economic crisis, the president and prime minister fled their posts, and the ruling party was due to face frustrated voters in 2023 local elections. Worst of the Worst Of the 57 countries designated as Not Free, the following 16 have the worst aggregate scores for political rights and civil liberties. Country Aggregate Score South Sudan 1 Syria 1 Turkmenistan 2 Eritrea 3 North Korea 3 Equatorial Guinea 5 Central African Republic 7 Tajikistan 7 Afghanistan 8 Belarus 8 Saudi Arabia 8 Somalia 8 Azerbaijan 9 China 9 Myanmar 9 Yemen 9 FreedomHouse.org 31