BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – A growing number of countries are moving towards authoritarianism while established democracies are under greater threat, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. This was Monday’s statement by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

According to a report by the Stockholm-based intergovernmental organization, populist politics and the use COVID-19 to silence critics are the main culprits.

IDEA stated that more countries are now suffering from democratic erosion in its 2021 state-of-democracy study, which relies on data collected since 1975.

It stated that “the number of countries experiencing ‘democratic downsliding” has never been higher. This refers to the country’s regressive turn, which includes checks on government, judiciary independence and media freedom.

Afghanistan was overthrown in August by Taliban militants. Myanmar’s coup on February 1st marked the end of a fragile democracy. Mali has been the victim of two coups, while Tunisia has had its parliament dismantled and has taken emergency power.

Brazil, the United States and India are large democracies. Presidents have questioned the legitimacy of elections results in Brazil. India however has seen the prosecutions of individuals critical of the government’s policies.

Slovenia, Hungary, Slovenia and Serbia have the highest levels of democracy declines. Turkey saw the greatest decline between 2010-2020.

According to the report, “70% of the population live in non-democratic or backsliding nations.”

Governments have been exhibiting more authoritarian behavior since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Contrary to reports by the Chinese state media, the study found no evidence of authoritarian regimes being more effective in fighting the pandemic.

The report stated that “the pandemic gives additional justifications for the repressive tactics, and suppression of dissent across countries such as Venezuela, Belarus, Cuba and Myanmar,”