Every party is there for the people and not for itself.
At a glance
- Parties are the link between the democratic state and its population. They enable citizens to participate in the political system, represent them and generate political influence from social interests and ideas.
- Democracy is our mission! That is why we are committed to democratic structures and democratic party systems worldwide.
- We work closely with our partner parties abroad. The main aims of this cooperation are to develop and advise on programmes and to promote young talent within the party.
- Analysing international elections is also part of the repertoire of our work abroad. The most important tool her is our country reports, in which we analyse and interpret current elections and their results.
Content
1. Parties are central actors for democracy
2. We support our partner parties
3. Elections are the beating heart of democracy
4. Elections analysis is an integral part of our work
5. Our offers and projects on the topic
6. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic
Political parties are among the key protagonists of representative democracy. Ideally, they enable the population to participate in the political system, ensure the representation of various political opinions and translate social interests and ideas into political influence. Successful participation in elections is essential for the work of parties and implementation of their programmes. Universal, direct, free, equal, secret elections form the heart of democracy and the basis of political parties’ democratic legitimacy.
Parties are central actors for democracy
In developing states and transition countries, democratically oriented parties are vital for the consolidation of democracies. In consolidated democracies, on the other hand, they are central actors in political decision-making.
Therefore, since the first day of its work abroad, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has been committed to strengthening democratic structures and the continued existence of democratic party systems worldwide. We now work regularly with parties in over 70 country offices. Added to this are offices with a regional focus, which are primarily dedicated to party and political dialogue.
We support our partner parties
In joint collaboration with our partners on site, we therefore wish to contribute to developing value-based, programmatically sound democratic politics oriented towards the common good.
In addition to efforts to improve framework conditions for developing democratic structures in and for parties, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s international party dialogue focuses on programme development and consultation, improving political communication both internally and externally, as well as promoting young talent.
Elections are the beating heart of democracy
Complementing the cooperation and promotion of democratic parties, the examination of international elections represents an important part of our work abroad. Elections are the central criterion for democracy, whereas their curtailment is a clear sign of its regression. Although definitions of democracy that far exceed the mere existence of free elections have long been established in political science, going to the ballot box is such an integral moment of political legitimacy that even autocrats rarely abstain from doing so, at least seemingly.
Elections analysis is an integral part of our work
Its network of more than 100 country offices in at least as many countries has afforded the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung the unique opportunity to directly experience and accompany elections in all these countries and regions. Our task is not to observe elections (unless we are officially mandated to do so), but rather to analyse, document and interpret the run-up to and course of elections, the candidates, their parties and programmes and, last but not least, the results and consequences for our target groups locally and in Germany.
Here, our most important tool is the country reports from our country offices: They provide concise, well-researched and up-to-date analyses on elections in the respective country of operation.
International Party and Political Dialogue
Promoting democracy abroad is one of the key concerns of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. For us, parties are integral actors of a functioning and vibrant democracy. That is why we promote and take care of exchange and cooperation. We support democratic parties and politically active persons that share our values. Through our work both on the ground and at regional and international level, we provide a platform for political dialogue with and between parties and their target groups.
Election analyses and polls
Our polls and election analyses on the European People’s Party (EPP), provide a comprehensive overview on the state of the EPP party family. Discussions include the performance of EPP member parties at national parliamentary or European elections.
EPP Party Barometer
The EPP Party Barometer aims to provide information on the current situation of the EPP party family in the EU.
Publications on this topic
IMAGO / Xinhua
Romania after the election: A difficult equation to solve
New president, new government, large budget deficit
IMAGO / Aton Chile
Chile: A failed experiment
An outlook to the presidential and parliamentary election in November 2025
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Colombia: Shots fired in the run-up to the elections
After an attack on an opposition politician, a polarized country fears a return to violent times
IMAGO / NurPhoto
"Plenković is playing chess, everyone else is just playing ‘Ludo’”
The ruling HDZ party emerges surprisingly stronger from the 2025 Croatian local elections
KI-generiert mit Adobe Firefly, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.
Latvian local elections in June 2025
Voices of the centre, shadows of the fringes – Latvia's political fork in the road?
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Elections in crisis
Weeks before the presidential elections, Bolivia is going through deep political and economic turmoil
IMAGO / Xinhua
Local elections in Lebanon
Important milestone for the new government and indicator of the political balance in the country
IMAGO / Steinsiek.ch
Back to square one!
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) after the 2025 federal election
IMAGO / Agencia EFE
OAS: New Secretary General caught between political polarisation and financial hardship
Albert Ramdin, Foreign Minister of Suriname, is the new Secretary General of the Organisation of American States
KAS Auslandsbüro Mongolei / Lukas Smith
Like clockwork, a new Government Crisis in Mongolia
National Unity Coalition Collapses
Sebastián Fernández Aebert, Auslandsbüro Argentinien / Offizielle Wahlwerbung von La Libertad Avanza
Mood Check for the Nation: Milei’s Libertarian Party Takes Buenos Aires by Storm
La Libertad Avanza Triumphs in Buenos Aires Legislative Elections
IMAGO / Vlad Bereholschi
Presidential election in Romania: A neck-and-neck race
A decisive course will be set in Romania on 18 May 2025
IMAGO / Light Studio Agency
Parliamentary elections in Albania
A predictable victory and unanswered questions
IMAGO / AAP
A Historic Election for Australia
Labor’s landslide victory and Conservatives in disarray
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
100 days Trump – Perspectives from Asia
Navigation between uncertainty, adaptation and new options
Event Reports on the topic
Stabil oder fragil? EU- und NATO-Land Rumänien nach der Wahl
Eine Bilanz des 48. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 11.12.2024
Das Land der Gegensätze vor den großen Wahlen – wohin steuert Mexiko?
Eine Bilanz des 46. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live am 29. Mai 2024
Media library
Wahlen in Brasilien – nach der Wahl ist vor der Wahl
Wer wird nächster Präsident in Brasilien? Ende Oktober treten Amtsinhaber Jair Bolsonaro und der ehemalige Präsident „Lula“ da Silva in einer Stichwahl gegeneinander an.
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