When debt dictates policy, what’s left of democracy? In many countries, elected governments are finding themselves boxed in, not by voters, but by creditors. From IMF reform packages to development bank loans, policy decisions are being shaped in boardrooms, not parliaments. As debt burdens grow, the promise of democratic self-rule shrinks. What happens to democracy when democracy becomes choiceless?

On this #DemocracyDay, we call for courageous conversations. In an era of collapse, we invited changemakers to reflect on progressive movements – both the progress and failures. Zakia Khattabi, Baia Pataraia, Daniela Chacón Arias, and Samson Itodo shared their insights, lessons, and hopes to bring care and justice to the daily practice of democracy.