2011 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2011 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 07 Jan Sudan referendum leads to significant population movement: On January 7, 2011, the Sudanese referendum on independence led to significant population movements, particularly in the Abyei region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Jan Tunisia Protests: President Ben Ali's Televised Address: On January 13, 2011, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali addressed the nation on television, attempting to quell widespread protests by announcing a series of reforms, including the dismissal of the government and the promise of free and fair elections. Despite these measures, protests continued, leading to his eventual departure. source: aljazeera.com
- 15 Jan Southern Sudan independence referendum concludes: On January 15, 2011, the Southern Sudan independence referendum concluded, with preliminary results indicating overwhelming support for secession. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Jan US-China presidential meeting: U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao held a meeting on January 19, 2011, to discuss bilateral relations, economic issues, and global security concerns. source: whitehouse.gov
- 20 Jan Tunisia political transition: After the departure of President Ben Ali, Tunisia began a political transition, forming an interim government and planning for future elections to establish a new democratic framework. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 21 Jan South Sudan independence referendum: On January 21, 2011, South Sudan held a referendum on independence, with results later confirming overwhelming support for secession from Sudan. source: bbc.com
- 26 Jan Micheal Martin Elected Fianna Fail Leader: Following Brian Cowen's resignation, Micheal Martin, former foreign minister of Ireland, was elected to lead the Fianna Fail party. Martin immediately challenged opposition leaders like Enda Kenny to a series of televised debates ahead of the general election.
- 30 Jan Southern Sudan votes for independence: On January 30, 2011, Southern Sudan held a referendum in which the majority voted for independence from the north. This historic vote was a culmination of years of conflict and negotiations, leading to the eventual establishment of South Sudan as a separate nation. source: bbc.com
- 05 Feb Belgrade Hosts Massive Anti-Government Protest: Thousands of disenchanted Serbs gather in Belgrade for the largest anti-government protest in years, demanding early elections. Opposition leaders draw parallels with the protests in Egypt and Tunisia.
- 07 Feb Southern Sudan Independence Referendum: On February 7, 2011, Southern Sudan held a referendum in which the majority voted for independence from Sudan, leading to the creation of the world's newest nation, South Sudan. source: aljazeera.com
- 03 Mar Newt Gingrich Explores 2012 Presidential Run: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced he would explore running for the Republican Party nomination in the 2012 US Presidential Election.
- 05 Mar Irish Political Coalition Negotiations: Fine Gael reached an agreement with the Labour Party on a draft Programme for Government, signaling progress in forming a new government following recent general elections in Ireland.
- 11 Mar Taiwan's Political Campaign: Tsai Ingwen, Taiwan's opposition leader, officially launches her presidential campaign, signaling potential political shifts in the region.
- 19 Mar Egypt Constitutional Referendum: Egypt held a constitutional referendum, a significant moment in the country's political transition during the Arab Spring period.
- 20 Mar Egyptian Constitutional Referendum: Over 80% of Egyptians vote in favor of liberal constitutional reforms, marking a significant moment in Egypt's democratic transition during the Arab Spring.
- 21 Mar Canadian Parliament contempt motion against Conservative government: On March 21, 2011, the Canadian Parliament passed a motion of contempt against the Conservative government, marking a significant political event. This motion was a precursor to the federal election that followed, highlighting issues of accountability and governance. source: nytimes.com
- 22 Mar Canadian Political Tension: Three opposition parties in the Canadian House of Commons declared they would not support the 2011 federal budget, potentially triggering a national election and creating significant political uncertainty.
- 25 Mar Canadian Parliamentary No-Confidence Motion: In the House of Commons, the Conservative Party's minority leader Stephen Harper lost a motion of no confidence, triggering a federal election scheduled for May 2011.
- 26 Mar New South Wales State Election: Voters in New South Wales, Australia participate in state elections, with the Liberal/National coalition led by Barry O'Farrell winning a landslide victory, signaling a significant political shift.
- 27 Mar First Green Party State Premier in Germany: Winfried Kretschmann becomes the first Green Party state premier in Germany after the party's success in Baden-Wurtemberg elections, signaling a potential shift in German political landscape.
- 02 Apr Spanish PM Announces Retirement: Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, declared that he would not seek a third term in the upcoming election, signaling a potential political transition.
- 03 Apr Kazakhstan Presidential Election: President Nursultan Nazarbayev wins Kazakhstan's presidential election with an overwhelming 95% of the vote, further solidifying his long-standing political dominance in the country.
- 09 Apr Djibouti Presidential Election: Ismael Oumar Guelleh was re-elected as President of Djibouti, continuing his political leadership in the East African nation.
- 10 Apr Japanese Democratic Party Loses Local Elections: On April 10, 2011, Japan's Democratic Party suffered significant losses in local elections. The party, which had been in power since 2009, faced setbacks in several key regions, indicating a shift in public sentiment and dissatisfaction with the government's handling of various issues, including the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. source: japantimes.co.jp
- 11 Apr Laurent Gbagbo Captured in Ivory Coast: On April 11, 2011, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo was captured by forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the 2010 presidential election. Gbagbo's capture marked the end of a protracted political crisis and civil conflict in Ivory Coast, leading to a significant shift in the country's political landscape. source: bbc.com
- 13 Apr Rick Santorum's Presidential Bid: Former US Senator Rick Santorum forms a committee to explore a potential Republican Party presidential nomination for the 2012 election.
- 14 Apr Shots Fired at Burkina Faso Presidential Compound: Gunshots were reported within the compound of Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaoré, indicating potential security tensions.
- 17 Apr Finnish Parliamentary Elections: The National Coalition Party won 44 seats, while the True Finns emerged as a major political force with 39 seats. The Centre Party suffered significant losses, setting the stage for complex coalition negotiations.
- 20 Apr Nigeria's presidential election: Nigeria held its presidential election, which was marked by violence and allegations of fraud. Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner, but the election faced criticism from various observers regarding its fairness and transparency. source: bbc.com
- 26 Apr Ron Paul Announces Presidential Campaign: Ron Paul officially announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, adding another contender to the 2012 election race.
- 02 May Canadian Federal Election: Canadian voters participated in a federal election, with the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on track to retain government with a majority of seats. The election saw notable developments, including the Green Party's first elected member of Parliament.
- 03 May Canadian Federal Election Results: The 41st Canadian General Election resulted in a majority government for the Conservative Party of Canada. Notably, the New Democratic Party (NDP) formed the Official Opposition for the first time in Canadian political history.
- 05 May Ivory Coast Presidential Election Confirmed: The Ivory Coast Constitutional Council officially confirmed Alassane Ouattara as the elected president in 2010, reversing a previous decision that had favored Laurent Gbagbo and had sparked a brief conflict.
- 06 May Scottish Election: The Scottish National Party won an absolute majority in the Scottish elections, potentially setting the stage for a future independence referendum. This result also led to the resignation of Scottish Labour Party leader Iain Gray.
- 07 May Northern Ireland Assembly Election: The Northern Ireland Assembly election concluded with Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) emerging as the dominant political parties, winning 38 and 29 seats respectively, reflecting the complex political landscape of the region.
- 10 May Laos Parliamentary Elections: Laos announced results for its single-party parliamentary elections, reflecting the country's continued political system of limited democratic representation.
- 11 May Newt Gingrich Presidential Campaign Launch: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich officially announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, signaling his political ambitions for the 2012 election.
- 13 May Communist Party loses West Bengal elections: On May 13, 2011, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) suffered a significant defeat in the West Bengal legislative assembly elections, ending its 34-year rule in the state. The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, emerged victorious, marking a major political shift in the region. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 May Donald Trump Declines 2012 Presidential Run: Businessman Donald Trump announced he would not seek the Republican nomination for the 2012 United States Presidential Election.
- 02 Jun Latvian Presidential Election: Andris Berzins wins the Latvian presidential election, marking a significant political transition in the Baltic state.
- 03 Jun Yemeni uprising: Presidential palace attack: On June 3, 2011, an attack on Yemen's presidential palace in Sana'a resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including the deputy prime minister and defense minister. The assault was attributed to opposition forces seeking to overthrow President Ali Abdullah Saleh. source: aljazeera.com
- 04 Jun Yemen's President Saleh flown to Saudi Arabia: On June 4, 2011, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was flown to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment after being injured in an attack on the presidential palace. His departure raised questions about the stability of his government and the future of Yemen's political landscape. source: aljazeera.com
- 05 Jun Peru presidential election runoff: On June 5, 2011, Peru held a presidential runoff election between Ollanta Humala and Keiko Fujimori. Humala, a former army officer, narrowly defeated Fujimori, the daughter of imprisoned former President Alberto Fujimori, securing approximately 51.45% of the vote to Fujimori's 48.55%. source: electionguide.org
- 12 Jun Iranian Protests Against Ahmadinejad Regime: Iranian authorities arrest protesters in Tehran during the second anniversary of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial re-election, highlighting ongoing political tensions and suppression of dissent.
- 13 Jun Michele Bachmann Presidential Bid: During a mid-debate event, Representative Michele Bachmann announces her intention to seek the Republican Party's nomination for President of the United States, marking her entry into the 2012 presidential race.
- 18 Jun Texas Municipal Elections: Multiple Texas cities held mayoral elections, with Mike Rawlings elected in Dallas, Betsy Price in Fort Worth, and Beth van Duyne in Irving.
- 30 Jun Bangladesh Electoral Reform: The Bangladesh parliament overturned a long-standing requirement for non-partisan caretaker government monitoring of general elections, a move that sparked concerns about potential election rigging.
- 07 Jul South Sudan gains independence: On July 7, 2011, South Sudan officially declared its independence from Sudan, becoming the world's newest nation. This followed a referendum in January 2011, where the majority of South Sudanese voted for secession. source: bbc.com
- 08 Jul South Sudan gains independence: On July 8, 2011, South Sudan officially became an independent nation, following a referendum in January 2011 where the majority voted for secession from Sudan. The independence was recognized internationally, marking a significant moment in African history. source: bbc.com
- 09 Jul South Sudan gains independence: On July 9, 2011, South Sudan declared its independence from Sudan, becoming the world's newest nation. This followed a January 2011 referendum where 98.83% of voters chose secession. The independence was the culmination of a six-year peace process and decades of conflict between the north and south. The United States recognized South Sudan as a sovereign state on the same day. source: history.state.gov
- 12 Jul California Special Congressional Election: A special election is held in California's 36th Congressional District, with Janice Hahn competing against Republican Craig Huey to secure the seat.
- 17 Jul Sao Tome & Principe Presidential Election: A presidential election in Sao Tome & Principe requires a runoff after lead candidate Pinto da Costa fails to secure an absolute majority.
- 19 Jul Attempted Assassination of Guinean President Alpha Condé: On July 19, 2011, an attempted assassination and coup d'état targeted Guinean President Alpha Condé at his residence in Conakry. Unknown assailants attacked the presidential residence but were successfully repelled by loyal security forces, ensuring the president's safety. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 25 Jul Vietnam Presidential Election: Truong Tan Sang is elected as the new president of Vietnam, marking a significant leadership transition in the Southeast Asian nation.
- 09 Aug Wisconsin Recall Elections Held: Voters participated in recall elections targeting six Republican Party Senators. Republicans successfully retained four of the six seats, maintaining their majority in the chamber.
- 11 Aug Philippine Senate Electoral Dispute: Following Juan Miguel Zubiri's resignation over alleged electoral fraud, the Philippine Senate Electoral Tribunal declared Aquilino Pilel III the winner of the 2007 elections, resolving a long-standing political controversy.
- 13 Aug 2012 Republican Presidential Straw Poll: The town of Ames, Iowa hosted the first election contest for the 2012 United States Presidential Election, featuring the Ames Straw Poll. Michele Bachmann emerged victorious in this early Republican Party candidate assessment, signaling her initial political momentum.
- 14 Aug Tim Pawlenty Exits Presidential Race: Following a disappointing performance in the Ames Straw Poll, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty withdrew from the 2012 United States Presidential Election Republican nomination race.
- 17 Aug Rocket Attack on Afghan Presidential Compound: A rocket was launched into the presidential compound in Kabul, targeting the President of Afghanistan, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.
- 23 Aug Historic Democratic Primary Win: Johnny DuPree, Mayor of Hattiesburg, made history by becoming the first Black candidate for a major party gubernatorial nomination to win a primary election, signaling progress in racial representation in American politics.
- 27 Aug Singapore Presidential Election: Singapore held its presidential election, with citizens participating in the democratic process to select their national leader.
- 28 Aug Tony Tan Elected President of Singapore: Tony Tan Keng Yam was elected President-elect of Singapore after winning the presidential election, signifying a key moment in the country's democratic process.
- 29 Aug Alexander Ankvab Elected President of Abkhazia: Alexander Ankvab was elected President of the partially-recognized Abkhazia on August 26. While Western media and independent observers deemed the elections democratic, Georgia did not recognize the results.
- 04 Sep Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Election: German state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern saw significant political shifts, with the Social Democrats and Greens performing strongly, while the Christian Democrats and Free Democrats experienced poor electoral results.
- 05 Sep Obama Launches Re-election Campaign: On September 5, 2011, President Barack Obama officially launched his re-election campaign for the 2012 presidential election, seeking a second term in office. source: cbsnews.com
- 07 Sep 2012 Republican Presidential Debate: The fourth Republican presidential debate was held at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on September 7, 2011. Sponsored by NBC News and Politico, it was moderated by Brian Williams and featured Texas Governor Rick Perry, who made headlines for his statement that "Social Security is a Ponzi scheme." source: en.wikipedia.org
- 11 Sep Guatemala General Election: Guatemalan citizens participated in a general election, exercising their democratic right to choose national leadership.
- 15 Sep Danish Parliamentary Election: Denmark held parliamentary elections, with a left-leaning coalition led by the Social Democrats winning enough seats to form a government. Helle Thorning-Schmidt was poised to become Denmark's first female Prime Minister.
- 18 Sep Berlin State Election: Berlin held a state election where Klaus Wowereit and the Social Democrats performed strongly. Notably, the Pirate Party was elected to the state parliament for the first time, while the Free Democrats secured 2% of the vote, signaling emerging political trends.
- 23 Sep Michael Sata Wins Zambian Presidential Election: Michael Sata, leader of the Patriotic Front, was declared the winner of the Zambian presidential elections, signaling a potential political shift in the country.
- 24 Sep Putin's Presidential Bid Announcement: On September 24, 2011, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that he would propose Vladimir Putin as the presidential candidate for the 2012 election. This announcement indicated a planned political shift, with Medvedev expected to return to the position of prime minister and Putin aiming for a third presidential term. source: reuters.com
- 25 Sep Saudi Arabia Women's Voting Rights Reform: On September 25, 2011, Saudi Arabia announced a significant reform granting women the right to vote and run for office in municipal elections. This decision marked a milestone in the country's efforts to expand women's rights and participation in public life. source: bbc.com
- 04 Oct West Virginia Gubernatorial Special Election: A special gubernatorial election was held in West Virginia, with Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin elected as the state's Governor, maintaining the party's political control.
- 05 Oct Sarah Palin Declines 2012 Presidential Run: Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and prominent Republican figure, announced that she would not seek the Republican nomination for the 2012 presidential election, marking a significant moment in her political career.
- 06 Oct Ontario Provincial Election: Voters in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, re-elected the Ontario Liberal Party led by Dalton McGuinty, securing another term with a minor government majority.
- 09 Oct Cameroon Presidential Election: Cameroon held its presidential election, with incumbent President Paul Biya widely expected to secure re-election, reflecting the country's political landscape at the time.
- 13 Oct Liberian General Election: The first results of the Liberian General Election were anticipated, with a likely runoff between incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former diplomat Winston Tubman.
- 16 Oct François Hollande Wins Socialist Party Primary: François Hollande defeated Martine Aubry in the French Socialist Party's primary election, securing his position as the party's official candidate to challenge incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy in the upcoming presidential election.
- 20 Oct British Political Parties Block EU Referendum Motion: The three major political parties in Britain instructed their Members of Parliament to vote against a parliamentary motion calling for a referendum on the UK's membership in the European Union, highlighting the complex political dynamics surrounding European integration.
- 21 Oct Cameroonian Presidential Election: Cameroonian President Paul Biya was declared the winner in the presidential elections held on October 6, 2011.
- 22 Oct Louisiana Gubernatorial Election: Louisiana prepares for its gubernatorial election, with incumbent Governor Bobby Jindal expected to secure victory in the first round. This election represents a potential continuation of Jindal's political leadership in the state.
- 23 Oct Tunisia's First Post-Revolution Election: Tunisia held its first democratic election following the Tunisian Revolution, marking a crucial milestone in the country's transition to democratic governance and representing a key moment in the Arab Spring movement.
- 30 Oct Kyrgyzstan holds presidential election amid political tensions: On October 30, 2011, Kyrgyzstan held a presidential election that was marked by political tensions and concerns over electoral integrity. The election was seen as a crucial step in the country's democratic transition following previous unrest. source: bbc.com
- 03 Nov Greek Prime Minister agrees to step down: Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou agreed to resign after facing intense pressure from European leaders and domestic opposition over his decision to hold a referendum on the EU bailout plan. source: abc.net.au
- 07 Nov Saskatchewan Party Wins Provincial Election: Premier Brad Wall's Saskatchewan Party secured victory in the Canadian province's election, maintaining their political leadership.
- 10 Nov Liberian Presidential Election: Incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won a decisive victory, securing 90% of votes after her opponent Winston Tubman boycotted the election, reinforcing her political leadership in Liberia.
- 15 Nov Yemen's Presidential Transition: Following months of protests, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his intention to resign within 90 days, marking a significant moment in the country's political transformation.
- 17 Nov Nicaragua Election Protests: Despite being declared the winner in the recent presidential election, Daniel Ortega faced significant opposition and protests challenging the election's legitimacy.
- 20 Nov Spanish general election: On November 20, 2011, Spain held a general election in which the People's Party won a significant majority. This election was pivotal in shaping Spain's political landscape during a time of economic crisis. source: bbc.com
- 21 Nov Marshall Islands General Election: The Marshall Islands conducted a general election, participating in the democratic process and selecting national leadership.
- 23 Nov Yemen's President Saleh signs Gulf Cooperation Council transition plan: On November 23, 2011, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative, agreeing to transfer presidential powers to Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi within 30 days and formally step down by February 21, 2012. In exchange, Saleh and his family were granted immunity from prosecution. This agreement aimed to resolve the political crisis that had been ongoing since the start of the Arab Spring protests earlier that year. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Nov New Zealand general election: On November 26, 2011, New Zealand held its 50th general election. The National Party, led by Prime Minister John Key, secured 47.31% of the party vote, winning 59 seats in the 121-seat Parliament. The Labour Party, led by Phil Goff, received 27.48% of the vote, resulting in 34 seats. The Green Party achieved its best result to date, obtaining 14 seats. The voter turnout was 73.83%, the lowest since 1887. source: parliament.nz
- 28 Nov Democratic Republic of Congo Elections: The Democratic Republic of the Congo held its general election, with reports of violence marring the democratic process and raising concerns about electoral integrity.
- 03 Dec Herman Cain suspends presidential campaign: On December 3, 2011, Herman Cain, a Republican candidate for the 2012 U.S. presidential election, suspended his campaign amid allegations of sexual misconduct and declining poll numbers. source: nytimes.com
- 04 Dec Russian parliamentary election controversy: On December 4, 2011, Russia held parliamentary elections that were marred by widespread allegations of electoral fraud, leading to large-scale protests across the country. source: bbc.com
- 05 Dec Russian legislative election results: On December 5, 2011, Russia announced the results of its parliamentary elections, which were contested amid allegations of electoral fraud and widespread protests. source: bbc.com
- 06 Dec Moscow protests against election results: On December 6, 2011, thousands of protesters gathered in Moscow to demonstrate against the results of the recent parliamentary elections, demanding fair elections and political reforms. source: bbc.com
- 07 Dec Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party Claims Election Victory: The Freedom and Justice Party claims to have won the majority of seats in Egypt's runoff election, signaling a potential shift in the country's political landscape following the Arab Spring.
- 09 Dec Democratic Republic of Congo Election Results: Incumbent President Joseph Kabila was declared the winner of the Congolese General Elections, though opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi contested the results, indicating potential political instability.
- 10 Dec Violent Election Aftermath in Democratic Republic of Congo: Six people were killed in widespread clashes following the disputed presidential election where Joseph Kabila was declared the winner, highlighting the tense political climate and potential electoral irregularities in the country.
- 11 Dec Russian Election Controversy: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered an investigation into disputed parliamentary election results, signaling potential political tensions and challenges to electoral transparency.
- 12 Dec Papua New Guinea Supreme Court Overturns Prime Minister's Election: The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea ruled that Peter O'Neill's election as Prime Minister in August 2011 was unconstitutional, ordering the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Michael Somare.
- 14 Dec Democratic Republic of Congo Election Tensions: Opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi called for mass protests during the disputed elections, signaling significant political unrest and potential challenges to the electoral process.
- 18 Dec Ongoing Russian Election Protests: For the second consecutive week, thousands of Russians protest in multiple cities against the disputed results of the parliamentary elections, indicating significant political unrest.
- 22 Dec Human Rights Concerns in DRC: Human Rights Watch reports 24 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following Joseph Kabila's presidential election, indicating potential political instability.
- 24 Dec Mass Protests in Russia: Tens of thousands of Russians protested across the country, denouncing alleged electoral fraud in the parliamentary elections and demanding democratic reforms.
What happened in 2011?
Discover what the world looked like in 2011: