Illegitimate presidents

From presidents who are currently in power as of 2024 and whose legitimacy has been or remains under question in various contexts, we can highlight the following:

1. Alexander Lukashenko (Belarus) - After the 2020 elections, which were characterized by many international organizations as undemocratic, the question of the legitimacy of his rule has been widely discussed.

2. Nicolas Maduro (Venezuela) - His presidency has been contested both domestically and abroad, especially following the death of Hugo Chávez and the subsequent elections, which were not recognized by many countries.

3. Vladimir Putin (Russia) - Although he was elected in 2024, his previous terms and especially the constitutional amendments that allowed him to run again have raised questions about the legitimacy of his power in the eyes of some critics.

4. Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan) - Despite official recognition of his rule, opposition and some international observers have questioned the democratic nature of elections in the country.

5. Emomali Rahmon (Tajikistan) - His long-term rule and control over the political system raise questions about democratic legitimacy.

6. Isaias Afwerki (Eritrea) - Although he was not elected in the traditional sense, his power after the independence war and the absence of democratic elections is contested.

7. Denis Sassou Nguesso (Republic of the Congo) - His return to power in 1997 through a civil war and subsequent elections deemed undemocratic by some, raises doubts about his legitimacy.

8. Paul Biya (Cameroon) - His long-standing rule and the manner of his re-elections have drawn criticism regarding the democratic processes in the country.

This list is not exhaustive, as the questions of legitimacy can be quite subjective and depend on the perspective, be it legal, international, or domestic political. It's important to understand that legitimacy can be recognized or disputed depending on who is evaluating it and by what criteria.