Change is here. Across continents and cultures, the world is witnessing a profound shift—a collective awakening against the forces of darkness that have long dominated the political landscape. After years marked by dictators and autocrats, fascists and fundamentalists, fanatics and feudalists, megalomaniacs and manipulators, profiteers and bloodsuckers, corrupt and communal forces, violent and warmongering leaders—there is finally the warm and welcome glow of a new dawn.
This is something different, something new. At this moment, it seems clear that the long, painful, and relentless struggle of millions worldwide is beginning to yield rich dividends.
Serbia Sets the Tone
Serbia perhaps set the tone for this change, which is now snowballing across the globe. For more than fourteen years, Aleksandar Vučić, the populist and nationalist strongman, ruled the country with an iron fist—first as Prime Minister, then as President. He spared no dissent, and corruption was rampant.
The collapse of a canopy at a railway station in 2024 triggered an anti-corruption movement that grew into a groundswell of protests. It forced Vučić to dissolve the National Assembly more than a year ahead of the scheduled December 2027 elections. In the early parliamentary elections held on October 25, 2026, students and youth put together what they called the "Student List"—people with impeccable records, free from corruption, and willing to contribute to the nation's future. They won with an absolute majority, defeating the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which had been in power since 2012.
Brazil's Democratic Resurgence
Then came Brazil. Trump and the US regime were determined to defeat the charismatic and people-oriented incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Big corporations wanted him ousted too. In the first round on October 4, Flávio Bolsonaro—son of jailed former and corrupt President Jair Bolsonaro—led with 47.03% against Lula's 45.16%.
However, despite all odds and defying power and money, Lula pulled off an electoral comeback in the October 25, 2026 runoff. It is his fourth term as President. Lula's victory marks the first time since Brazil's return to civilian rule in 1985 that a candidate won the presidency after losing the first round. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro has fled to the United States. Lula's victory signalled that change is here.
Israel's Political Reckoning
On October 27, Israel went to the polls. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had waged a horrendous war on the people of Palestine and Gaza, killing thousands over the past few years. This election was seen as a referendum on his policies of hate, violence, and war.
The elections ended in a political deadlock, with neither Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor the opposition alliance securing the 61-seat majority required to form a government in the 120-member Knesset. Following certification of the results, President Isaac Herzog formally opened coalition talks on November 4, 2026. Notably, the Arab bloc secured a significant nineteen seats. On Sunday, November 8, President Herzog formally tasked Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's rival, with forming the next government. Some change indeed.
America's Tsunami
On November 3, it was Election Day in the United States. The American people came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise for members of Congress and the Senate, for Governors and Mayors, and for state bodies. Donald Trump, his Republican Party, and their crony capitalist friends spared no effort in wanting their candidates to win.
Though Trump has two more years as President, these elections were seen—like Israel's—as a referendum on his policies, particularly his war against Iran. And the results were like a tsunami. Trump was beaten, lock, stock, and barrel. People whom he hated, despised, discriminated against, and denigrated won significantly. It was a clear repudiation of his war against Iran, his siding with Israel, and economic policies that made ordinary Americans poorer while helping the rich amass vast wealth.
His racist policies toward immigrants and minorities backfired tremendously. The internet has been abuzz since results began coming in; governments and people from most countries have been cheering. It was young America that voted the Republicans out of the Senate, the Congress, and important Governorships.
India's Palpable Awakening
Over to India—the change here is palpable. Millions have been on the streets for the past several months in what has become a people's pro-democracy movement. The protests are against the Chief Election Commissioner and SIR. There is enough hard evidence that the CEC must be dismissed immediately and SIR must be scrapped. Besides, corruption and communalism have gripped the nation.
On November 1, thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi for a protest rally organized by the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. The protesters came from all walks of life. Gen Z is responding strongly to the fascist regime, taking a stand about what is happening in the country. They have come out in droves, leaving their comfort zones, providing new hope and impetus to all—including opposition political parties. One thing is certain: despite using police and other forces to their advantage, this Government is scared. They do not know how to deal with the youth force of the nation. There is no doubt that truth will triumph. The people are angry and united to bring about regime change. India is certainly experiencing change.
The Winds of Change
There is much more, big and small, happening everywhere. India and the rest of the world are fed up with hate and violence, with conflicts and wars everywhere. It is abundantly clear that people want change, and they are committed to being the change they want to see.
Bob Dylan has been in the news of late. His immortal, historic pro-peace, anti-war song of 1963 is more relevant than ever today:
"How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly before they are forever banned?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist before they are allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind."
The winds of change are blowing today. Change is here.
---
*Human rights, reconciliation, and peace activist, trainer, and writer
Comments