List of foreign electoral interventions
Below is a list of foreign electoral interventions by country.Albania
1991 election (by United States)
During the 1991 election campaign, politicians of the center-right Democratic Party of Albania claimed that the US government would provide financial assistance to the country. The US government confirmed these claims in a meeting with Democratic Party members.1992 election (by United States and Italy)
The United States Agency for International Development, National Democrat Institute and the International Republican Institute provided anti-socialist political groups with aid, training, media support and funding. The US embassy also publicly supported the Democratic Party of Albania. The Los Angeles Times also reported that the US government provided advisors and vehicles to the campaign of the Democratic Party of Albania, and threatened to withhold foreign aid to Albania if the Socialist Party of Albania was victorious in the elections.
Italy supported the Socialist Party of Albania, with Italian former prime minister Bettino Craxi accepting honorary membership in the party to give them legitimacy. Italy also gave more aid to Albania than any other country.Argentina
In August 2007, Venezuelan-American businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson arrived in Argentina on a private flight carrying US$790,550 in undeclared cash. The money was discovered by customs authorities, sparking the Suitcase Scandal. The incident led to speculation that the funds were intended to finance the presidential campaign of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. However, no conclusive evidence was presented to confirm this claim, and the case was closed in 2015 due to the statute of limitations.
In 2021, former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal alleged that Hugo Chávez’s government had sent funds to Argentina, mentioning Néstor Kirchner specifically. These claims reignited debates over possible illicit financing, but no direct evidence has emerged linking Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to receiving money from Chávez.2025 election (by United States and Russia)
In October 2025, US president Donald Trump announced that he might cut off financial aid to Argentina if Javier Milei lost a crucial legislative election later that month. Milei would later win the legislative election.
The Milei government accused a “non-institutional intelligence operation” of illegally recording and leaking private audio conversations to destabilize the electoral process. The government alleged foreign influence, citing “patterns similar to operations attributed to Russian and chavista interests.” Russia formally denied the accusations.Australia
2019 election (by China)
In late 2019, media outlets around the world have reported on alleged efforts by the People's Republic of China to infiltrate the Parliament of Australia by recruiting a spy to run in a constituency during the 2019 Australian federal election.2022 election (by China)
In February 2022, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation revealed a failed attempt by the Chinese government to use a proxy to finance federal Labor candidates in New South Wales.2025 election (by Russia and China)
Australia’s 2025 federal election was subject to significant foreign-interference activity attributed to Russia and China. The campaigns involved coordinated online disinformation — including efforts to “poison” AI chatbots with propaganda via a pro-Russian network, foreign espionage, unlawful intelligence-gathering, and misuse of diaspora community surveillance. Authorities disrupted dozens of espionage and interference operations in the years preceding the election, and in 2025 publicly charged at least one individual linked to China under foreign-interference laws. While there is no public evidence that the vote count was altered, the case illustrates a modern hybrid interference approach: using cyber-espionage, disinformation, AI manipulation and clandestine influence operations.Austria
1938 referendum (by Nazi Germany)
The referendum took place after the Anschluss. A referendum proposed by the Austrian government if there should be a "Free, German, Independent and Social, Christian and United Austria" was cancelled due to German pressure. The referendum was held under massive pressure, rigging and exclusion of voters. Nevertheless, the majority would have probably supported the annexation as many Austrians who were not Nazis supported the unification.1949 election (by Soviet Union)
The Soviet part of the Allied Commission for Austria supported the legalization of the Federation of Independents and the Democratic Union hoping to weaken the Austrian People's Party and they forced the Communist Party of Austria to form a coalition with the Left Socialists.1953 election (by Soviet Union)
The SČSKA supported the campaign of the Austrian People's Opposition, a coalition consisting of the KPÖ, Left Socialists and the Democratic Union.Bangladesh
1973 election (by Soviet Union)
According to details from the Mitrokhin Archive, the Soviet Union covertly supported the Awami League in Bangladesh.Bolivia
1964 election (by United States)
According to documents provided by the State Department Office of the Historian, the CIA covertly financed media, political groups, trade unions, student groups and youth groups in order to break the influence of communists and alleged Cuban operatives in Bolivia, as well as to create a stable government that was pro-USA. Over $1,150,000 was dedicated to this task across 3 years. Starting in August 1964, the US government began to covertly fund the MNR during the elections. Following the 1964 military coup by General René Barrientos the US government covertly funded him and propaganda supporting his government.1966 election (by United States)
According to documents provided by the State Department Office of the Historian, the CIA covertly funded groups supporting General Barrientos during the 1966 elections and his rivals in order to ensure they'd accept the legitimacy of the elections. With CIA assistance, Barrientos forces killed Che Guevara the next year.2002 election (by United States and Cuba)
In the Bolivian elections of 2002, the U.S., which had been financing the eradication of coca farms, instructed Ambassador Manuel Rocha to warn Bolivians against voting for socialist candidate Evo Morales, stating that doing so could "jeopardize American assistance and investment." USAID also created the "political party reform project" in Bolivia in 2002, whose aim was to "help build moderate, pro-democracy political parties that can serve as a counterweight to the radical MAS or its successors". The move largely backfired, increasing support for Morales, who finished second in the election. Morales would ultimately be elected president of Bolivia in 2006. In 2023, Rocha was arrested for spying for Cuba leading to the theory that he intended to back Morales.Brazil
1955 election (by United States)
Fearing a rise of João Goulart, who the US considered to be a communist demagogue, the United States Information Service increased its budget to educate Brazilians on the alleged dangers of communism and communist front groups, as well as drawing links between the Brazilian Communist Party and the Soviet Union. The US also gave grants to the conservative National Democratic Union. According to documents provided by the State Department Office of the Historian, the USA also provided an increase in credit to the ruling administration to help them win the 1955 elections.1962 election (by United States)
According to Tim Weiner's book Legacy of Ashes, the first use of the brand-new state-of-the-art taping system ordered by John F. Kennedy in the White House in 1962 was to discuss plans to subvert the Brazilian government of João Goulart. Kennedy and his ambassador to Brazil Lincoln Gordon discussed spending $8 million to swing the next elections and to prepare for a military coup against Goulart due to fears Brazil could become a "second Cuba". The CIA and AFL-CIO pushed money into Brazilian political life to people who opposed Goulart. Electoral interference by the US failed to oust Goulart, and the CIA supported a coup that deposed him in 1964, leading to Brazil being ruled by a military dictatorship until 1985.Bulgaria
1945 election (by Soviet Union, United States and United Kingdom)
Due to communist control, the United States and United Kingdom intervened in the Allied Commission to postpone the election threatening to not recognise the new government. The election results were likely fraudulent and William Houstoun-Boswall believed that they manipulated according to Soviet Objectives.1946 election (by Soviet Union)
gave instructions to the Bulgarian Communist Party. Despite the situation, the opposition still managed to win 28.4% of the vote and 99 seats.2017 election (by Turkey)
The Turkish ambassador to Bulgaria appeared in a party election broadcast of Democrats for Responsibility, Solidarity and Tolerance. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov called the involvement "unacceptable" and the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Korneliya Ninova categorically denounced any involvement of foreign governments.2024 election (by Russia)
In the October 2024 parliamentary elections, allegations of Russian interference surfaced as pro-Russian parties, such as the ultranationalist Vazrazhdane, gained significant electoral traction. Analysts estimated that parties with Russian ties could secure around 25% of the vote, raising concerns about Moscow’s influence in Bulgarian politics. The election occurred amid political instability, with seven elections held in four years. Observers from the European Union and the United States expressed doubts over potential external manipulation, while the Kremlin denied any involvement.