Esteira: Difference between revisions

The country began experiencing {{wp|democratic backsliding}} in the early 1990s with the election of populist strongman [[Luis Souza]], a high ranking member of the PPE. His [[1996 Esteiran presidential election|reelection in 1996]] was marred with claims of voter fraud, intimidation, and a marked increase in political violence. Souza’s time in office saw the weakening of the [[Constitutional Court of Esteira|Constitutional Court]], attacks on journalists and media Souza perceived as “anti-Esteira,” and the weakening of civil liberties nationwide. Terrorist attacks by “internal enemies of the state” became relatively common in the 1990s, which prompted several states of emergency and the creation of special powers by the [[National People’s Assembly of Esteira|National People's Assembly]] to give Souza nearly unchecked power during these states of emergency. Souza [[2001 Esteiran presidential election|won a third term in 2001]] with 82% of the vote in an election many international observers described as "totally fraudulent."

 

 

The emergency session was made up of PPE representatives and was headed by Souza, who gave a fiery speech claiming that the opposition parties were plotting a coup to seize control of the government. Souza received a standing ovation from his party in the legislature, who subsequently passed the [[National Security and Stable Leadership Act of 2002]]. The act outlawed opposition parties and established the PPE as the country’s only legal political party. Souza was granted sweeping powers that he used to further strengthen his and the PPE’s grip on Esteira. The actions of Souza and the PPE following the attacks on PPE members has been widely described as an [[2002 Esteiran self-coup d'état|autocoup]].