2021 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2021 Elections & Political Transitions Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 02 Jan Trump Pressures Georgia Secretary of State During Election Dispute: In a controversial phone call recorded and released by the Washington Post, then-US President Donald Trump directly pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' 11,780 votes, which would have been enough to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election results. The call, which raised significant legal and ethical concerns, highlighted the intense dispute surrounding the presidential election outcome.
- 06 Jan January 6 U.S. Capitol Insurrection: On January 6, 2021, a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., attempting to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. The unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy resulted in multiple deaths, numerous injuries, and significant damage to the Capitol building. Rioters breached security barriers, overwhelmed law enforcement, and temporarily halted the congressional proceedings to confirm Joe Biden's electoral victory. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 10 Jan Kyrgyzstan Presidential Election: Presidential elections were conducted in Kyrgyzstan following the previous year's political unrest and the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Interim Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov was widely expected to win the election.
- 11 Jan US House Introduces Impeachment Article Against Trump: In an extraordinary political move following the January 6th Capitol riots, House Democrats introduce an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump, charging him with 'incitement of insurrection' for his role in encouraging supporters to storm the US Capitol, challenging the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
- 19 Jan Donald Trump's Presidential Farewell Address: On January 19, 2021, President Donald Trump delivered his official farewell address from the White House, marking the end of his tumultuous four-year presidential term. In a notable break from tradition, Trump became the first incumbent president since Andrew Johnson in 1869 to not attend his successor Joe Biden's inauguration. During his address, Trump reflected on his administration's key achievements, emphasizing economic recovery efforts, tax reforms, judicial appointments, and what he considered significant healthcare policy changes. The speech was delivered against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the January 6th Capitol riots and Trump's unprecedented second impeachment.
- 20 Jan Biden Presidential Inauguration and Historic Milestones: Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021. At 78 years old, he became the oldest person ever to assume the presidency. In a groundbreaking moment, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female Vice President of the United States, marking a significant milestone in American political history. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 28 Jan RNC to Remain Neutral in 2024 Primary: The Republican National Committee chairperson announced the party's intention to maintain neutrality during the 2024 primary election, signaling a potential shift in party strategy.
- 29 Jan McCarthy Meets Trump to Discuss Midterm Strategy: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met with former President Donald Trump to strategize and discuss Republican campaign plans for the 2022 midterm elections.
- 09 Feb Second Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump: The United States Senate commenced the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, a historic and unprecedented event stemming from his alleged role in inciting the January 6th Capitol insurrection. The trial focused on examining Trump's actions leading up to and during the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, which disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 10 Feb Biden Requests Resignation of Trump-Appointed Attorneys: President Joe Biden requested the resignation of most U.S. attorneys appointed during the Trump administration, a typical practice for incoming presidential administrations to reshape the Justice Department.
- 21 Feb Deadly Electoral Commission Attack in Niger: A tragic land mine explosion targeted electoral commission members in Tillabéri, Niger, resulting in seven fatalities and three injuries. The attack occurred on the same day as the second round of the presidential election, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region and the risks faced by electoral workers.
- 16 Mar Yemen Presidential Palace Protest: Protesters stormed the Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen, expressing deep frustration over inadequate public services and deteriorating living conditions. The demonstration reflects the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in the country.
- 18 Mar US-Russia Diplomatic Tension Over Election Interference: Russia recalled its ambassador to the United States following allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin had orchestrated efforts to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election in favor of Donald Trump, escalating diplomatic tensions.
- 21 Mar Republican Julia Letlow Wins Louisiana Congressional Special Election: Republican candidate Julia Letlow secured a decisive victory in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District special election, winning more than 50% of the vote and adding to the Republican Party's congressional representation.
- 28 Mar Turkmenistan Assembly Election: The Assembly of Turkmenistan held its national parliamentary elections on March 28, 2021. This election was part of the country's political process, taking place in a nation known for its highly controlled political environment. The election was conducted under the supervision of the country's authoritarian government, with limited political pluralism and competition.
- 11 Apr Peruvian General Election: The Peruvian general election resulted in the Free Peru party winning the most legislative seats, though not achieving an outright majority. Pedro Castillo was ultimately declared the presidential winner on July 19, 2021, signaling a potential shift in Peru's political landscape.
- 27 Apr Albania's Edi Rama Wins Third Consecutive Election: Prime Minister Edi Rama claims victory in Albania's parliamentary elections, becoming the first Albanian leader to secure three consecutive terms, signaling political stability in the Balkan nation.
- 12 May Liz Cheney Defies Republican Leadership Over Trump Election Fraud Claims: Representative Liz Cheney delivered a powerful speech on the House floor, refusing to remain silent about the Republican Party's embrace of former President Donald Trump's false election fraud claims. She argued that these claims directly led to the violent Capitol attack and that staying silent would embolden further misinformation. Cheney was facing a vote to remove her from her leadership position, with Representative Elise Stefanik poised to replace her as a more vocal Trump supporter.
- 15 May House Republicans Replace Liz Cheney with Elise Stefanik: Republicans elected Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as the new House Republican Conference chair, replacing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). Cheney was ousted for criticizing former President Donald Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
- 19 May Val Demings Likely to Challenge Marco Rubio: Reports suggested that Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) was planning to challenge Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in the 2022 Senate election.
- 21 May Catalan Regional Election and New Leadership: Pere Aragonès became Catalonia's 132nd President, marking a historic moment as the first Republican Left of Catalonia leader in forty years and the youngest in the region's seven-hundred-year history. He pledged to immediately restart independence negotiations with the Spanish government.
- 06 Jun Trump Speaks at North Carolina GOP Convention: Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the North Carolina Republican Convention, reiterating his claims about the 2020 election and criticizing the Biden administration. He endorsed Rep. Ted Budd for the state's open Senate seat and suggested potential future political ambitions without providing definitive clarity about a 2024 presidential run.
- 08 Jun Peru's Tight Presidential Election: The Peruvian general election saw left-wing candidate Pedro Castillo taking a narrow but expanding lead over right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, with Fujimori raising concerns about potential electoral irregularities.
- 18 Jun 2021 Iranian Presidential Election: Iranian voters participated in a presidential election to select a successor to incumbent President Hassan Rouhani. The election resulted in a decisive victory for hardline Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi, signaling a potential shift in Iran's political landscape and international relations.
- 21 Jun Swedish Government Crisis: Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's government faced a significant political challenge when the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) adopted a vote of no-confidence. Löfven was given one week to either resign or call a snap election, marking a critical moment in Swedish parliamentary politics.
- 24 Jun Michigan GOP Report Debunks Election Fraud Claims: A Michigan Republican Party report conclusively found no substantive evidence supporting claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 presidential election, effectively refuting persistent allegations of electoral misconduct.
- 25 Jun Pence Affirms 2020 Election Certification: Former Vice President Mike Pence told Republican colleagues that he was 'proud' of his role in certifying the 2020 presidential election results, reaffirming the integrity of the democratic process.
- 27 Jun France Holds Crucial Regional Elections: France conducted significant regional elections, serving as a critical test of the far-right's political influence and popularity. The results were expected to provide insights into the country's evolving political landscape and potential shifts in voter sentiment.
- 29 Jun Arizona County Rejects Election Audit Voting Machines: An Arizona county decided to discard voting machines previously confiscated for a controversial GOP-led election audit, reflecting ongoing disputes about election integrity and processes in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
- 07 Jul Assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse: On July 7, 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was brutally assassinated in his private residence in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. The shocking murder occurred in the middle of the night, sending the country into immediate political turmoil. Following the assassination, the Haitian government declared a state of emergency, and the nation was plunged into a period of intense uncertainty and political instability. The assassination was carried out by a group of armed mercenaries who posed as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, highlighting significant security vulnerabilities in the presidential protection system.
- 09 Jul Arrest of Suspects in Haitian Presidential Assassination: On July 9, 2021, two Haitian-American citizens from Florida were arrested in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. The arrest was part of a broader investigation revealing a complex plot involving multiple international actors. According to authorities, at least 28 individuals were implicated in the assassination, with 26 of the suspects being Colombian nationals. The arrest highlighted the international dimensions of the political violence and raised significant questions about the political stability of Haiti.
- 11 Jul Bulgarian Parliamentary Election: Bulgaria holds a repeat parliamentary election after the three largest parties failed to form a coalition government following the April election.
- 12 Jul Trump Wins CPAC Straw Poll: Former President Donald Trump won the 2024 Republican presidential primary straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference, maintaining his influential position within the Republican Party and hinting at potential future political ambitions.
- 19 Jul Pedro Castillo Wins Peruvian Presidential Election: In a closely contested election, Pedro Castillo, a left-wing union leader and political outsider, was declared the winner of Peru's presidential election, defeating Keiko Fujimori by a narrow margin of 44,000 votes. This outcome marked a significant political shift in Peru, with Castillo representing the rural and working-class populations often marginalized in national politics.
- 01 Aug Myanmar Military Ruler Declares Himself Prime Minister: Military leader Min Aung Hlaing appoints himself as Prime Minister of Myanmar and commits to holding elections by 2023, further consolidating military control following the February 2021 coup.
- 16 Aug Trudeau Calls Snap Canadian Election: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strategically called a national election for September 20, 2021, aiming to regain majority control of the House of Commons. Trudeau, who first came to power in 2015, had been leading a minority government since October 2019.
- 20 Sep 2021 German Federal Election: The German federal election was held to determine the composition of the Bundestag, the national parliament. This election was particularly significant as it marked the end of Angela Merkel's 16-year chancellorship and represented a potential shift in German political leadership.
- 21 Sep Justin Trudeau Retains Power in Canadian Federal Election: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau successfully maintained his political leadership as the Liberal Party secured victory in a snap election, though with only a marginal increase in parliamentary seats.
- 25 Sep Suicide Bombing Near Somalia Presidential Palace: A devastating suicide car bombing near the presidential palace in Somalia results in at least seven deaths and eight injuries. The terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
- 26 Sep German Federal Election Results: In a significant political shift, the center-left Social Democrats won the most seats in the German federal election, marking the end of Angela Merkel's era and potentially signaling a new political direction for Germany.
- 23 Oct Nixon Agrees to Release Watergate Tapes: On October 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon agreed to turn over White House tape recordings subpoenaed by the Watergate special prosecutor to Judge John J. Sirica. This pivotal moment in the Watergate scandal represented a significant challenge to presidential power and transparency, ultimately contributing to Nixon's eventual resignation.
- 02 Nov 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial Election: Virginia held its gubernatorial election to select a new state leader, following the resignations of Steve Stivers and Marcia Fudge, with the latter becoming the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in March.
- 03 Nov Glenn Youngkin Wins Virginia Governor's Race: Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin, a former private equity executive, defeated Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe in a closely contested Virginia gubernatorial election, signaling potential shifts in political sentiment.
- 04 Nov Phil Murphy Wins Re-election as New Jersey Governor: Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy narrowly secured a second term as Governor of New Jersey, maintaining Democratic leadership in the state despite a closely contested race.
- 07 Nov Nicaragua Holds Controversial Election: Nicaragua conducted general elections under significant international scrutiny, following a widespread crackdown on opposition by President Daniel Ortega's government, raising serious concerns about democratic processes.
- 08 Nov Biden Condemns Nicaragua's Undemocratic Election: President Joe Biden strongly criticized Nicaragua's national elections, characterizing them as a 'pantomime election' that lacked fundamental democratic principles. His statement highlighted concerns about electoral integrity and potential authoritarian practices in the Central American nation.
- 14 Nov Democratic Elections in South America and Eastern Europe: Two countries held significant democratic elections. Bulgaria conducted presidential and parliamentary elections, with citizens voting for the President and members of the National Assembly. In Argentina, voters participated in elections to select members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, demonstrating ongoing democratic processes in the region.
- 04 Dec Gambia Holds First Democratic Presidential Election Post-Dictatorship: Gambians participated in a historic presidential election, marking the first democratic vote since the exile of former dictator Yahya Jammeh in 2017. This election represented a significant milestone in the country's democratic transition.
- 12 Dec New Caledonia Reaffirms French Sovereignty: In a significant referendum, New Caledonia voted to remain part of France, with the independence movement boycotting the electoral process, thereby maintaining the territory's current political status.
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