COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their political elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader, according to a study released Thursday.
The report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, or International IDEA, concluded that "democratic institutions are falling short of people’s expectations.” The 35-member organization promotes democracy worldwide.
”It is past time that people’s perceptions are centered in conversations about the future of democracy; this analysis is a small but important first step towards that effort,” the Stockholm-based organization wrote.
The surveys had a margin of error hovering around 2-4% and the number of respondents in each country was around 1,500. The sole exception was the Solomon Islands, where the small population meant they had a representative sample of 526 people, IDEA said.
In 17 countries, fewer than half of the people are satisfied with their governments, International IDEA found. The survey included three of the largest democracies — Brazil, India and the United States.
In eight countries, “more people have favorable views of ‘a strong leader who doesn’t have to bother with parliament or elections,’” the institute said, adding that India and Tanzania stand out as countries “with relatively high levels of support for a ‘strong leader.’"
In only four countries do “a majority feel they are doing better economically than their parents,” according to the 95-page study titled “The Perceptions of Democracy Survey." It added that in the majority of countries, minorities are more doubtful about electoral credibility than others.
The poorest in Brazil, Colombia, Romania, and Sierra Leone, are more likely to approve of the government’s performance than the rest of the population, IDEA said.
When it comes to judicial systems, in 18 countries “fewer than half of the people believe that the courts ‘always’ or ‘often’ provide access to justice.” Iraqis have more faith in access to justice (28% ‘always’ or ‘often’) than Americans (26%). Denmark is the only country where a majority of people feel that courts often or always provide equal access to justice, said IDEA.
Its report was based on surveys made in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Gambia, India, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania and the United States.
The surveys were carried out by YouGov and GeoPoll and were done either by telephone or via the internet last year, except for India where it was carried out in January.
International IDEA was founded in 1995. It was designed to “identify important but often neglected differences between various groups’ assessments of and attitudes related to democracy.”
FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump salutes at a campaign rally, March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. According to a study released Thursday, April 11, voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
FILE - Family members and friends of a protester who was killed during clashes with security forces chant slogans against the Iraqi government during his symbolic funeral in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 21, 2020. According to a study released Thursday, April 11, 2024, voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban, File)
FILE - A visitor looks at stock price monitors at the B3 stock exchange headquarters in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Oct. 21, 2021. According to a study released Thursday, April 11, 2024, voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)
FILE - A woman casts her vote in Romania's legislative election, in Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 6, 2020. According to a study released Thursday, April 11, 2024, voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kyle Larson kept calm when something seemed amiss in his first qualifying attempt for the Indianapolis 500.
So did everyone else at Arrow McLaren.
They knew they had plenty of speed in his car, so they pushed the No. 17 back to Gasoline Alley, gave a thorough exam to the Chevrolet engine that had Larson on the verge of making the field and headed right back to the track to give it another try.
This time, Larson was able to stand on the gas all the way through his four-lap run, posting a 232.563 mph average at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to put the NASCAR star in position to run for the pole. He was sixth-quickest at that point on the first day of qualifying, and the 12 fastest by the end get to return Sunday for the shootout.
“I’ll definitely take that,” said Larson, who on May 26 will try to become the first driver since Tony Stewart in 2001 to complete the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day. “Hopefully it’s enough to make the fast 12 tomorrow. That would be really cool. But happy with it, the balance of the car. Proud of the team for not all of us freaking out.”
There was reason for concern, though, on what started off as a tough day for Arrow McLaren.
Larson was the sixth of 34 cars on the track, a favorable draw given that quicker speeds tend to happen earlier in the day, when the weather is cooler. And he was off to a good start when, midway through the run, Larson said his engine seemed to miss.
His team wanted him to finish and post a time, but Larson played it safe and came down pit road.
“We were happy with the speed we had in the 17 before the event happened there,” said Arrow McLaren team principal Gavin Ward, who is working with Hendrick Motorsports to qualify Larson for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Larson could not eclipse 233 mph on any of his four laps when he returned to the track, leaving him off the pace set by Team Penske, which locked down the top three spots with defending race winner Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power.
Still, the run was still good enough for Larson to join Arrow McLaren teammate Alexander Rossi in the provisional top six.
“Honestly, I feel like the nerves were a lot less going the second time, even not completing that first run," Larson said. "I've never gotten to qualify like that where you get multiple shots at it.”
Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro and dreamed of running the Indy 500, took a picture of Larson with his cellphone as he finished his run. Gordon then high-fived Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, who also showed up to support their driver.
“Now we can breathe,” Gordon said. “Now we can ramp up for tomorrow.”
It could be a big Sunday.
After going for the pole in Indianapolis, Larson is scheduled to fly to North Wilkesboro for the NASCAR All-Star Race in what amounts to a dry run for Memorial Day weekend. But with rain in the forecast in North Carolina, Larson hoped that race would get pushed to Monday night, giving him a bigger travel cushion.
“That would be nice,” Larson said, brightening at the possibility. “I hope it rains tomorrow!”
Larson wasn't the only Arrow McLaren driver to have problems on the first day of Indy 500 qualifying.
Earlier, Callum Ilott posted a four-lap average of 231.995 mph that put him in the top 10, but the time was thrown out when a technical inspection discovered a problem with the left rear wheel offset on his career. Ilott was slightly slower when he made a second attempt, going 231.871 mph but still putting himself in the field.
Pato O’Ward pulled out of the lineup for his initial run when the team decided to make some changes to his setup, then he had a similar problem to Larson’s first try when he got on the track. O’Ward eventually qualified later in the day.
“It's settling just to know that we'll be fine to get in the show,” O'Ward said. “This place, you just can't take it for granted. You're good one day, you come back the next and everything seems upside down. We just have to keep pushing.”
AP Motorsports: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Kyle Larson talks with his family during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson climbs into his car during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson prepares to drive during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson, center, walks to his pit box during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson waits in his pit box during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson walks down pit lane with a crew member during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson sits on pit wall during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson climbs out of his car during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson leaves the pits during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson prepares to take off his helmet during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson signs autographs during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson looks at his phone during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson, left, talks with his team during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson, left, talks with 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan as he met with his team during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson climbs into his car before the start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson waits for the start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
