Dictators who first took office by means of free and fair elections, No. 8:
Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines)
- Elected president in 1965 in a democratic election. He declared martial law in 1972, consolidated power, and ruled as a dictator until his ouster in 1986.
Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines)
- Elected president in 1965 in a democratic election. He declared martial law in 1972, consolidated power, and ruled as a dictator until his ouster in 1986.
Comments
Viktor Orbán (Hungary)
- First elected Prime Minister in 1998 in a free and fair election. After returning to power in 2010, he dismantled democratic institutions, restricted press freedom, and consolidated power.
Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua)
- First elected president in 1984. After losing power, he returned to office in 2007 through democratic elections but has since undermined institutions and ruled as an authoritarian.
Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
- Initially came to power in 1980 after winning a free and fair election. He consolidated power, suppressed opposition, and ruled in an increasingly authoritarian manner until his ouster in 2017.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
- Became Prime Minister in 2003 after his party won democratic elections. He has since weakened checks and balances, restricted the press, and transformed Turkey into an authoritarian state.
Vladimir Putin (Russia)
- First elected president in 2000 in an election considered relatively free and fair. Over time, he consolidated power, suppressed opposition, and effectively established an authoritarian regime.
Hugo Chávez (Venezuela) - Elected president in 1998 in a free and fair election. He centralized power, weakened democratic institutions, and ruled in an increasingly authoritarian manner until his death in 2013.