If they really were such a danger why did the opposing party not try to save it with a democratically elected candidate instead of forcing an unpopular one down people’s throat?
Because humans are fallible and egotistical and arrogant.
Alternatively, because they don’t believe their own rhetoric but think using it will be effective in getting their voters to turn out.
I disagree with that assessment in the case of the authoritarian regime destroying the government, as I watch with my own eyes, and who is now looking to attack opposition political speech as terrorism.