For the first time in 22 years, authoritarian regimes outnumber democracies globally, with 91 countries now classified as authoritarian according to the Democracy Report 2025 by the V-Dem Institute. Nearly 72% of the world’s population now lives under authoritarian rule—a stark warning of the times we live in.

This issue of The Future is Public explores trade unions' resolve to counter this alarming rise of the right across the globe. From building strategic alliances in the United States to ver.di’s fightback in Germany, unions are fighting to reclaim democratic spaces and defend public services.

Beyond this special feature, the issue also examines global remunicipalisation trends, fiscal and pension reforms, energy justice, transport policy, telecom privatisation, and the fight to strengthen public care systems. Dive in for a rich collection of perspectives, analysis, and proposals for reclaiming the public.

Countering the Radical Right Politics

• The Underestimated Alliance That Could Beat Back Trumpism

• The outcome of the Bundestag elections in Germany 2025 and ver.di’s efforts to counter the rise of far right

• The Rise of Far-Right Political Parties and the Trade Union Response in Europe

• The Rise of Far-Right Politics in South Korea and the Great Social Reforms

(Re)Municipalisation

•  Beyond Privatisation: Global Trends and Implications of (Re-)Municipalization

• National Fiscal Policy

• Fiscal Reform Challenges for the Great Social Reforms

Pension

• Remaining Challenges of Pension Reform

Energy

• Wind and Sun Belong to All: A Proposal for a Public Renewable Energy Framework Act

• The Electricity Market Reform Never Happened

Transport

• The Deutschlandticket and the Need for Unions’ Climate Politics

Telecommunications

• Process, Current Status and Challenges of Marketization and Privatization in the Korean Telecommunications Industry

Care

• Movement to Strengthen Public Care for All