View source for Peaceful transition of power

{{short description|Concept critical to establishing democratic governments}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
A '''peaceful transition''' or '''transfer of power''' is a concept important to [[democracy|democratic]] governments in which the leadership of a government peacefully hands over control of government to a newly-elected leadership. This may be after elections or during the transition from a different kind of political regime, such as the [[post-communist]] period after the [[fall of the Soviet Union]].<ref name=":1" />

In scholarship examining [[democratization]] and emerging democracies, study of the successful transitions of power is used to understand the transition to [[constitutional democracy]] and the relative stability of that government.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> A 2014 study concluded that 68 countries had never had a peaceful transition of power due to an election since 1788.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==Democratization studies==
[[File:1st_Inaugural_Address-_President_Reagans_Inaugural_Address_1-20-81.webm|thumb|left|President-elect [[Ronald Reagan]] is sworn in as president of the United States in a symbolic peaceful transfer of power in 1981.]]
In scholarship examining [[democratization]] and emerging democracies, study of the successful transitions of power is used to understand the transition to [[constitutional democracy]] and the relative stability of that government ([[democratic consolidation]]).<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Graham|first=Emmanuel|date=July 2017|title=The Third Peaceful Transfer of Power and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana|url=https://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no5/10.5-8-Graham.pdf|journal=Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies|volume=10|issue=5|pages=99–127|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711212222/http://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no5/10.5-8-Graham.pdf|url-status=live}}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Tamarkin|first=M.|date=1979|title=From Kenyatta to Moi: The Anatomy of a Peaceful Transition of Power|journal=Africa Today|volume=26|issue=3|pages=21–37|jstor=4185874|issn=0001-9887}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last=Mangu|first=Andre Mbata B.|date=1 June 2004|title=DR Congo: the long road from war to peace and challenges for peaceful transition and national reconstruction|url=https://journals.co.za/content/afrins/34/2_3/EJC17396|journal=Africa Insight|language=en|volume=34|issue=2_3|pages=31–38|issn=0256-2804|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143212/https://journals.co.za/content/afrins/34/2_3/EJC17396/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last=Ahmed|first=Jasem Mohamad|date=2012|title=Democracy and the problem of peaceful transfer of power|url=https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/39844|journal=Journal of Al-Frahedis Arts|language=en|volume=04|issue=10|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143217/https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/39844/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

A 2014 study by [[Adam Przeworski]] of 3,000 elections from 1788 to 2008, published in the journal ''[[Comparative Political Studies]]'' concluded that 68 countries (including Russia and China) had never had a peaceful transition of power between [[Political parties|parties]] following an election, making it a "rare and a recent practice."<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Przeworski|first=Adam|date=1 January 2015|title=Acquiring the Habit of Changing Governments Through Elections|journal=Comparative Political Studies|language=en|volume=48|issue=1|pages=101–129|doi=10.1177/0010414014543614| s2cid=154441890 |issn=0010-4140}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=26 November 2014|title=Peaceful transitions of power have been rare in modern states, but once the habit has been acquired it sticks|url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/11/26/peaceful-transitions-of-power-have-been-rare-in-modern-states-but-once-the-habit-has-been-acquired-it-sticks/|access-date=25 September 2020|website=EUROPP|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143141/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2014/11/26/peaceful-transitions-of-power-have-been-rare-in-modern-states-but-once-the-habit-has-been-acquired-it-sticks//|url-status=live}}</ref> The same study found that once a country has an initial peaceful transfer of power (an "alternation"), it is very likely to keep doing so, making the peaceful transition of power a habit-forming activity.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In a stable institutionalized democracy, a peaceful transition is the expected outcome of an election.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Peaceful transitions require a number of strong [[democratic institution]]s and norms to exist, such as the willingness of opposition parties to serve as a [[loyal opposition]]. Transitions by election put power holders in vulnerable positions, as not only do they risk potential changes in policy and practice and thus their means of power, but they also risk political retribution or retaliation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sutter|first=Daniel|date=1995|title=Settling Old Scores: Potholes along the Transition from Authoritarian Rule|journal=The Journal of Conflict Resolution|volume=39|issue=1|pages=110–128|doi=10.1177/0022002795039001005|jstor=174324| s2cid=145445935 |issn=0022-0027}}</ref> 

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==By region==
The first peaceful transition of power in a country is often treated as an important stage in a government transition towards democracy such as seen in [[elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1 February 2017|title=First peaceful transfer of power possible in the DRC: regional focus - East Africa|url=https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-55c9a84d1|journal=Africa Conflict Monitor|language=en|volume=2017|issue=Feb 2017|pages=35–39|issn=2311-6943|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143236/https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-55c9a84d1/|url-status=live}}</ref> Successful transitions during tense political moments such as the [[Velvet Revolution (Armenia)|Velvet Revolution in Armenia]] in 2018 are interpreted as signs of improved governance within the country, an important milestone in democratization and functioning civil society.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Yayloyan|first=Diana|date=28 February 2019|title=A Peaceful Transition of Power and Public's Expectations in Armenia|url=https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/10015|language=en|journal=Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey|via=Think-Asia|access-date=25 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143251/https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/10015/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alternately, the lack of peaceful transfers of power, such as in [[Elections in Georgia (country)|elections in Georgia]] from 1995 to 2008 in which the only transition between presidents was via the 2003 [[Rose Revolution]], may harm the international reputation of the country as a "democracy".<ref name="Georgia_2012_parliament" />

===Africa===
Since [[Decolonization of Africa|achieving independence from European colonial powers]], [[Africa]] has had a mixed record in achieving peaceful transitions of power, with variations among nations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power transitions in Africa |url=https://www.brookings.edu/events/power-transitions-in-africa/ |date=November 27, 2018 |first1=Michael |last1=O’Hanlon |first2=Reuben |last2=Brigety |first3=Ken |last3=Opalo |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=Brookings |language=en-US |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173344/https://www.brookings.edu/events/power-transitions-in-africa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  

The first peaceful transition of power between civilians in [[Nigeria]] took place in 2007, although the outgoing and incoming presidents were of the same party and the preceding election was characterized by widespread irregularities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A First in Nigeria: A Peaceful Succession of Power |website=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=May 30, 2007 |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/world/africa/30nigeria.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911174550/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/world/africa/30nigeria.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, [[Liberia]] had its first electoral transfer of power since 1944.<ref>Tomas F. Husted, "[https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46226.pdf Liberia: Background and U.S. Relations]", Congressional Research Service (February 14, 2020), p. 5. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911175556/https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46226.pdf |date=11 September 2021 }}.</ref> The first peaceful transition of power in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] took place in 2019, with outgoing president [[Joseph Kabila]] yielding power to opposition leader [[Felix Tshisekedi]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=New Congo president marks first peaceful transfer of power |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2019/0124/New-Congo-president-marks-first-peaceful-transfer-of-power |first1= Saleh |last1=Mwanamilongo |agency=Associated Press |date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=2023-08-10 |issn=0882-7729 |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173454/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2019/0124/New-Congo-president-marks-first-peaceful-transfer-of-power |url-status=live }}</ref> The first transition of power from one democratically elected leader to another in [[Niger]] took place in 2021, briefly overcoming the nation's history of [[coups d'etat]]<ref>Dalatou Mamane, "[https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-africa-niamey-west-africa-mali-8ac9e1c7a2c62bfe8395d966b8199888 Niger inaugurates president in 1st democratic power transfer]", Associated Press (April 2, 2021). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911173348/https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-africa-niamey-west-africa-mali-8ac9e1c7a2c62bfe8395d966b8199888 |date=11 September 2021 }}.</ref> before [[2023 Nigerien coup d'état|another military coup]] occurred in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niger's president 'held by guards' in apparent coup attempt |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/26/soldiers-holding-niger-president-inside-palace-security-sources |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

===Asia===
====Indonesia====
;Symbolism
{{sources|section|date=December 2022}}
The symbol of peaceful transition of power is when the outgoing president and/or vice president, after their respective successors recite the [[Oath of office#Indonesia|oath of office]], switch chairs, so that the incumbent president is on the furthest left side of the altar at the [[People's Consultative Assembly]] main session's room, and the sitting vice president is immediately on the right side of the speaker and deputies speaker's desk. {{As of|2022}}, starting in 1978, the vice presidents always did this symbolic transfer when there was no vacancy in the office except in 2004, when [[Hamzah Haz]] did not attend the ceremony, and in 2009, when [[Jusuf Kalla]] was already seated on the furthest right side so no switch was needed. For presidents, {{as of|2022|lc=yes}}, this symbol of peaceful transition happened only twice, in 1999 during the [[inauguration of Abdurrahman Wahid]], and in 2014 for the [[first inauguration of Joko Widodo]].

===Europe===
====Belarus====
{{main|National Anti-Crisis Management|United Transitional Cabinet}}
During the [[2020 Belarusian protests]] that followed the disputed results of the [[2020 Belarusian presidential election|Belarusian presidential election]] in August 2020, Belarusians created a [[Coordination Council (Belarus)|Coordination Council]] and a shadow government, the [[National Anti-Crisis Management]] (NAM), aiming for a peaceful transfer of power to a freely and fairly elected president.<ref name="BelFeed_NAU_created" /><ref name="OKOpress_Bandarenka_NAU" /><ref name="CEPA_NAM_created" /> NAM proposed a "constitutional" option for power transfer, in which the presumed presidential election winner, [[Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya]], would become [[Prime Minister of Belarus|Prime Minister]] and the powers of the ''de facto'' president [[Alexander Lukashenko]] would be legally transferred to the Prime Minister's position, followed by elections for a new president organised by a newly created electoral commission; and a "legal sovereignty" option, in which Tsikhanouskaya would become President and organise presidential elections within 40–70 days.<ref name="NAM_plan_two_options" />

====Georgia====
The transfer of power resulting from the [[2012 Georgian parliamentary election]] was considered an important case of peaceful transfer of power in the post-Soviet political development of Georgia, which, since the Soviet period, had earlier gone through changes such as the [[Rose Revolution]] in 2003.<ref name="Georgia_2012_parliament">{{Cite web|title=Peaceful transfer of political power and its characteristics in Georgia. The Georgian parliamentary elections of 2012|url=https://ibn.idsi.md/en/vizualizare_articol/45776|access-date=25 September 2020|website=Instrument Bibliometric National }}</ref>

===North America===
====United States====
{{See also|Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election}}
A peaceful transition of power has historically been the norm in [[United States presidential transition]]s. The transition from [[John Adams]] to [[Thomas Jefferson]] in 1801 was considered an important milestone for the country's fledgling democracy. It was the first time the presidency was handed over to a political opponent. From then until 2020, the losing party in every presidential election "willingly and peacefully" relinquished power to the opposition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pruitt|first=Sarah|title=How the Peaceful Transfer of Power Began With John Adams|url=https://www.history.com/news/peaceful-transfer-power-adams-jefferson|access-date=7 January 2021|website=HISTORY|language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214733/https://www.history.com/news/peaceful-transfer-power-adams-jefferson|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=3 January 2021|title=All 10 living former defense secretaries: Involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-former-defense-secretaries-military-peaceful-transfer-of-power/2021/01/03/2a23d52e-4c4d-11eb-a9f4-0e668b9772ba_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106223350/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/10-former-defense-secretaries-military-peaceful-transfer-of-power/2021/01/03/2a23d52e-4c4d-11eb-a9f4-0e668b9772ba_story.html}}</ref> The transition is institutionalized through symbolic acts like the [[United States presidential inauguration|presidential inaugurations]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 November 2016|title=Peaceful Transition of Power|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/inaugurations|access-date=25 September 2020|website=National Archives|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143318/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/inaugurations/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Jacey Fortin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/presidents-who-skipped-inaugurations.html|newspaper=New York Times|date=January 19, 2021|title=Trump Is Not the First President to Snub an Inauguration|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125024141/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/presidents-who-skipped-inaugurations.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Outgoing U.S. presidents traditionally attend the inaugurations of their successors, a symbol of the peaceful passage of power from one administration to the next.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A president hasn't refused to attend the inauguration of his successor in 152 years. Donald Trump will change that |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/08/trump-first-outgoing-president-skip-inauguration-152-years/6596286002/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616200731/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/08/trump-first-outgoing-president-skip-inauguration-152-years/6596286002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], experts described a risk of [[democratic backsliding]] in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite web|title=Is the U.S. at Risk of Mirroring Hungary's Democratic Backsliding?|url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29144/is-the-u-s-at-risk-of-mirroring-hungary-s-democratic-backsliding|access-date=15 November 2020|website=www.worldpoliticsreview.com|date=19 October 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214714/https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29144/is-the-u-s-at-risk-of-mirroring-hungary-s-democratic-backsliding|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bauer|first1=Michael W|last2=Becker|first2=Stefan|date=2 March 2020|title=Democratic Backsliding, Populism, and Public Administration|url=https://academic.oup.com/ppmg/article/3/1/19/5698480|journal=Perspectives on Public Management and Governance|language=en|volume=3|issue=1|pages=19–31|doi=10.1093/ppmgov/gvz026|issn=2398-4910|doi-access=free|access-date=15 November 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214737/https://academic.oup.com/ppmg/article/3/1/19/5698480|url-status=live|hdl=1814/69472|hdl-access=free}}</ref> as President [[Donald Trump]] publicly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost his election bid.<ref>{{cite web|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=23 September 2020|title=Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/trump-wont-commit-to-peaceful-transfer-of-power-if-he-loses-the-election.html|access-date=25 September 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143328/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/23/trump-wont-commit-to-peaceful-transfer-of-power-if-he-loses-the-election.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, after Trump's statements, the [[U.S. Senate]] unanimously passed a resolution committing to a peaceful transition of power and opposing any attempt "by the President or any person in power to overturn the will of the people of the United States"; many senators cited the peaceful transition of power's centrality to U.S. democracy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unanimous Senate commits to peaceful transfer of power after Trump refuses|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/unanimous-senate-commits-peaceful-transfer-power-trump-refuses/story?id=73216758|access-date=25 September 2020|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143334/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/unanimous-senate-commits-peaceful-transfer-power-trump-refuses/story?id=73216758%2F|url-status=live}}</ref> Business leaders also made statements calling for a peaceful transfer.<ref>{{cite web|date=7 November 2020|title=US business leaders call for peaceful transfer of power|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0df2cc72-69e8-41a1-925a-b0bd4a9aec15|access-date=15 November 2020|website=www.ft.com|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214716/https://www.ft.com/content/0df2cc72-69e8-41a1-925a-b0bd4a9aec15|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump stated on 15 October 2020 that he would accept a peaceful transfer (after a long period of ambiguous answers to the question) while still falsely alleging fraud and {{Clarify span|waging a legal battle to attempt to overturn the election results.|How could Trump attempt to overturn the election prior to it taking place? Should it be identified that this happened after the election?|date=October 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Alison Main |date=16 October 2020 |title=Trump says he would accept peaceful transfer of power but casts doubt on election results |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/donald-trump-election-integrity/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214651/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/donald-trump-election-integrity/index.html |archive-date=14 January 2021 |access-date=15 November 2020 |website=CNN}}</ref>  

Trump was defeated in the 2020 election by [[Joe Biden]] in both the popular vote and the [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral vote]], but refused to accept defeat. Trump falsely claimed election fraud, initiated a [[United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack public hearings#7PartPlan|seven-part plan]] to overturn the election, and engaged in an aggressive and unprecedented<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{Cite web |first1=Anita |last1=Kumar |first2=Gabby |last2=Orr |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |newspaper=Politico |title=Inside Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election |date=December 21, 2020 |quote=Trump's efforts to cling to power are unprecedented in American history. While political parties have fought over the results of presidential elections before, no incumbent president has ever made such expansive and individualized pleas to the officials who oversee certification of the election results. |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222010353/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |first=David E. |last=Sanger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-election.html |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Trump's Attempts to Overturn the Election Are Unparalleled in U.S. History |date=November 19, 2020 |quote=President Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election are unprecedented in American history and an even more audacious use of brute political force to gain the White House than when Congress gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency during Reconstruction. |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120013100/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-election.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|campaign to remain in power]].<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-local-elections-arizona-7174555c2545f8afb69f0ce2ac0b2156 |first1=Zeke |last1=Miller |first2=Colleen |last2=Long |first3=David |last3=Eggert |title=Trump tries to leverage power of office to subvert Biden win |date=November 20, 2020 |website=Associated Press |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128185032/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-local-elections-arizona-7174555c2545f8afb69f0ce2ac0b2156 |url-status=live}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-michigan-election.html |title=Trump Targets Michigan in His Ploy to Subvert the Election |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |first2=Jim |last2=Rutenberg |first3=Nick |last3=Corasaniti |first4=Reid J. |last4=Epstein |date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202011626/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/us/politics/trump-michigan-election.html |url-status=live}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-presses-georgia-governor-to-help-subvert-election-11607207645 |url-access=subscription |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Trump presses Georgia governor to help subvert election |agency=Associated Press |website=MarketWatch |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201032/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-presses-georgia-governor-to-help-subvert-election-11607207645 |url-status=live}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935465631/the-growing-backlash-against-trumps-efforts-to-subvert-the-election |date=November 20, 2020 |title=The Growing Backlash Against Trump's Efforts To Subvert The Election: Consider This from NPR |publisher=NPR |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202024601/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/16/935465631/the-growing-backlash-against-trumps-efforts-to-subvert-the-election |url-status=live}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/politics/house-republicans-trump-biden/index.html |date=December 7, 2020 |title=House conservatives urge Trump not to concede and press for floor fight over election loss |first1=Manu |last1=Raju |first2=Jeremy |last2=Herb |work=CNN |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201025/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/07/politics/house-republicans-trump-biden/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Multiple sources:
* {{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Timothy |date=January 9, 2021 |title=The American Abyss |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html |access-date=February 9, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114035347/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/magazine/trump-coup.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |last=Ben-Ghiat |first=Ruth |date=January 26, 2021 |title=Opinion: Trump's big lie wouldn't have worked without his thousands of little lies |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/opinions/big-lie-ben-ghiat/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022014334/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/opinions/big-lie-ben-ghiat/index.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |first1=Jan |last1=Wolfe |first2=Susan |last2=Heavey |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Trump lawyer Giuliani faces $1.3 billion lawsuit over 'big lie' election fraud claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-election-dominion-idUKKBN29U206 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023173535/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-election-dominion-idUKKBN29U206 |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |last=Block |first=Melissa |date=2021-01-16 |title=Can The Forces Unleashed By Trump's Big Election Lie Be Undone? |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/16/957291939/can-the-forces-unleashed-by-trumps-big-election-lie-be-undone |website=NPR |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128071931/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/16/957291939/can-the-forces-unleashed-by-trumps-big-election-lie-be-undone |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |last=Pilkington |first=Ed |date=January 24, 2021 |title=Donald Trump is gone but his big lie is a rallying call for rightwing extremists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-big-lie-american-democracy |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118031438/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/24/donald-trump-big-lie-american-democracy |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump's fellow Republicans had [[Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|varied reactions]] to Trump's false election-fraud claims.<ref>{{Cite web|title=As Trump's Election Pressure Campaign Hits Republican Officials, Some Hit Back|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/941284401/as-trumps-election-pressure-campaign-hits-republican-officials-some-hit-back|access-date=7 January 2021|website=NPR| date=4 December 2020 |language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214753/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/941284401/as-trumps-election-pressure-campaign-hits-republican-officials-some-hit-back|url-status=live| last1=Parks | first1=Miles }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The uncomfortable reality: Even many Republican officials believe false election claims |url-access=subscription |first1=Philip |last1=Bump |date=Feb 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/24/uncomfortable-reality-even-many-republican-officials-believe-false-election-claims/ |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417004934/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/24/uncomfortable-reality-even-many-republican-officials-believe-false-election-claims/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Just 27 congressional Republicans acknowledge Biden's win, Washington Post survey finds |date=Dec 5, 2020 |url-access=subscription |first1=Paul |last1=Kane |first2=Scott |last2=Clement |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-who-won-election-republicans-congress/2020/12/04/1a1011f6-3650-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205191945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-who-won-election-republicans-congress/2020/12/04/1a1011f6-3650-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Trump's False Election Fraud Claims Split Republicans |date=November 6, 2020 |first1=Michael |last1=Crowley |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/us/politics/trump-election-republicans.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116035304/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/us/politics/trump-election-republicans.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  

On 6 January 2021, a pro-Trump mob, inflamed by the outgoing president's false claims, [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol|attacked the Capitol]] in Washington, D.C., in a failed attempt to keep Trump in power. The mob disrupted the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count|counting of the electoral votes]] by a [[joint session of Congress]] for several hours.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Dmitriy Khavin |author2=Haley Willis |author3=Evan Hill |author4=Natalie Reneau |author5=Drew Jordan |author6=Cora Engelbrecht |author7=Christiaan Triebert |author8=Stella Cooper |author9=Malachy Browne |author10=David Botti |newspaper=New York Times |title=Day of Rage: An In-Depth Look at How a Mob Stormed the Capitol |date=30 June 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007606996/capitol-riot-trump-supporters.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921172054/https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000007606996/capitol-riot-trump-supporters.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-michael-pence-4cd64aab06e0f943ca8f83fd0b65037d|title=Capitol Police officers sue Trump, allies over insurrection|author=Colleen Long & Michael Balsamo|date=26 August 2021|work=Associated Press|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920142749/https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-michael-pence-4cd64aab06e0f943ca8f83fd0b65037d/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/among-the-insurrectionists|title=Capitol Police officers sue Trump, allies over insurrection|author=Luke Mogelson|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=15 January 2021|agency=The New Yorker|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118180312/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/among-the-insurrectionists|url-status=live}}</ref> Five people died either shortly before, during, or following the attack.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Levenson |first1=Eric |last2=Vera |first2=Amir |last3=Kallingal |first3=Mallika |title=What we know about the 5 deaths in the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-mob-deaths/index.html |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=CNN |date=7 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214651/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-mob-deaths/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Republican Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] noted that "if this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Axios|title=McConnell: "Our democracy would enter a death spiral" if Congress overturned election|url=https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-electoral-college-2cc27aeb-00b2-4c56-b615-d87ae45c0acc.html|access-date=7 January 2021|website=Axios| date=6 January 2021 |language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214759/https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-electoral-college-2cc27aeb-00b2-4c56-b615-d87ae45c0acc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 January 2021, Trump condemned the riots and committed to the peaceful transition of power.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Jeffery|title=Full Text of Speech in Which Donald Trump Finally Concedes Election to Biden Without Naming Him|url=https://www.newsweek.com/full-text-speech-which-donald-trump-finally-concedes-election-biden-1559880|website=Newsweek|date=7 January 2021|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215230507/https://www.newsweek.com/full-text-speech-which-donald-trump-finally-concedes-election-biden-1559880|url-status=live}}</ref> After he transferred power, he routinely repeated election lies and defended the riots.<ref name=CNN_20210612>{{cite news |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |title=Trump is doing more lying about the election than talking about any other subject |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |work=CNN |date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616191647/https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/12/politics/analysis-trump-election-lies-blog-post-presidency |archive-date=16 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== South America ===
In [[Venezuela]] in 1958, the [[Puntofijo Pact]] allowed a political agreement to respect the election results,<ref name="Corrales 81–113">{{Cite journal |last=Corrales |first=Javier |date=2001-01-01 |title=Strong Societies, Weak Parties: Regime Change in Cuba and Venezuela in the 1950s and Today |journal=Latin American Politics and Society |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=81–113 |doi=10.2307/3176972 |jstor=3176972}}</ref> allowing for a peaceful transition of power after the ouster of dictator [[Marcos Pérez Jiménez]] and during the country's democratic period.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Márquez |first1=Laureano |title=Historieta de Venezuela: De Macuro a Maduro |last2=Eduardo |first2=Sanabria |publisher=Gráficas Pedrazas |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-7328777-1-9 |edition=1st |page=95 |chapter=¡Por fin, democracia! |author-link=Laureano Márquez}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Power sharing]]
* [[Nonviolent revolution]]
* [[Peaceful Revolution]]
* [[Puntofijo Pact]]
* [[Succession crisis]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="OKOpress_Bandarenka_NAU">{{cite news | last1= Grekowicz | first1= Nikita | language= pl | title= Białoruś ponownie zawrzała po skatowaniu Ramana Bandarenki. Trwają protesty [relacja z Mińska] | trans-title= Belarus again in shock at the assault on [[Raman Bandarenka]]. Protests continue [report from Minsk] | date= 15 November 2020 | newspaper= [[OKO.press]] | url= https://oko.press/bialorus-ponownie-zawrzala-po-skatowaniu-ramana-bandarenki-trwaja-protesty-relacja-z-minska | access-date= 16 November 2020 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20201116122525/https://oko.press/bialorus-ponownie-zawrzala-po-skatowaniu-ramana-bandarenki-trwaja-protesty-relacja-z-minska/ | archive-date= 16 November 2020 | url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="BelFeed_NAU_created">{{cite news | title= Pavel Latushko Announces Establishment Of People's Anti-Crisis Administration | date= 29 October 2020 | newspaper= [[Belarus Feed]] | url= https://belarusfeed.com/latushko-peoples-anti-crisis-administration/ | access-date= 16 November 2020 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20201116122555/https://belarusfeed.com/latushko-peoples-anti-crisis-administration/ | archive-date= 16 November 2020 | url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="CEPA_NAM_created">{{cite web |last1=Sadouskaya–Komlach |first1=Maryia |title=An Exiled Belarusian Opposition Faces A Credibility Test |date=6 November 2020 |website=[[Center for European Policy Analysis]] |url=https://cepa.org/an-exiled-belarusian-opposition-faces-a-credibility-test |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201116122533/https://cepa.org/an-exiled-belarusian-opposition-faces-a-credibility-test/ |archive-date=16 November 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NAM_plan_two_options">{{cite web | title= National Anti-Crisis Management: Two power transition options have been developed | website= [[National Anti-crisis Management]] | date= 17 November 2020 | url= https://belarus-nau.org/news_en | access-date= 18 November 2020 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20201117191849/https://belarus-nau.org/news_en | archive-date= 17 November 2020 | url-status= live }}</ref>
}}

[[Category:Democracy]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]