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Privatfoto / Vasilis Kougionis

Forest and vegetation fires in Greece 2024

Challenges, Impact & International aid

The year 2024 in Greece was marked by numerous and devastating forest fires. This season once again represented a considerable burden for the Greek civil protection and civil protection as well as the fire brigades. The damage to the environment was high, although it should be noted that significantly less area was burned than in the previous year. The government's measures for early detection  fires, the equipment of fire brigades, the reduction of fire loads and the harsh penalties for arsonists seem to be having an effect.  This report analyses the main causes and effects of the fires in Greece, compares the figures with 2023, identifies the structures of civil protection and presents international aid and its possibilities for improvement. 

Marian Wendt
March 18, 2025
Country reports
Julian Tucker (KAS Regionalprojekt Nordische Länder)

Elections in Greenland

A Clear Signal Towards Independence

Greenlanders have elected a new parliament. The clear winner of the election is the liberal Demokraatit party (Democrats) with its leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen. They won by a surprisingly clear margin against the current left-wing coalition government of Siumut ( Forwards) and Inuit Ataqatigiit (Community of the Inuit). Nielsen's party pursues a conservative tax policy, is considered economically liberal and wants to achieve independence from Denmark in a step-by-step fashion. The second strongest party is the nationalist protest party Naleraq (Point of orientation). It was the only party to call for a swift exit from the Danish kingdom and rapprochement with the USA during the election campaign. The upcoming coalition negotiations could prove difficult in view of foreign policy upheavals. Nielson, former Minister for Industry and Minerals, announced his intention to talk to all parties. A broad-based alliance between Inuit Ataqatigiit, the party of previous Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and possibly with the Siumut party could form a stable government.

Larissa Stünkel, Christine Leuchtenmüller
March 18, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Scanpix

Broken alliance in Estonia

The collapse of the coalition government

On 10 March 2025, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced the reshuffle of the Estonian coalition by dismissing the Social Democratic Party (SDE) from the coalition government. After this decision, the "Reform Party" and "Estonia200" have only a narrow majority with 52 out of 101 seats in the Riigikogu (parliament).

Oliver Morwinsky, Nikoloz Rogava
March 14, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / MediaPunch

Showdown in the Oval Office

US Opinions on the Future of Trump's Ukraine Policy

Relations between the USA and Ukraine hit a low point last week: In front of live television cameras, there was a confrontation in the Oval Office of the White House between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The result was a breakdown in talks and a pause in American aid to Ukraine.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
March 6, 2025
Country reports

Country Report

Can Great Britain Save the West?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pursuing a dual strategy: he aims to take a leadership role in Europe's security and defence repositioning while also convincing the Trump administration to remain militarily engaged in Europe. The United Kingdom is to act as a bridge between an increasingly unpredictable White House and a Europe unsettled by Trump's rapprochement with Russia. This was the context of his visit to Washington at the end of February, as well as the summit he convened in London with leading heads of state and government under the title "Securing our Future."

Dr. Canan Atilgan
March 4, 2025
Country reports
PantherMedia / Yarr65

State crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina convicts the President of the Republika Srpska

On February 26, 2025, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) sentenced the President of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, to one year in prison (which, however, he can avoid by paying a fine) and imposed a six-year ban on political activity for disregarding decisions of the High Representative of the international community, Christian Schmidt. Dodik's reaction to the verdict has led Bosnia and Herzegovina into a state crisis.

Stephan Georg Raabe
March 3, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Zoonar

Bundestag election 2025: France hopes for policy change in Germany

The rise of right-wing populists, influence from Russia and the USA as well as policy changes in the area of security and defence are the focus of election reporting.

Germany has voted and until the election day on 23 February 2025, interest in the federal elections in France was rather low. Current domestic political tensions in France, the fragile French government and economic policy challenges pushed the question of a new government and parliamentary majorities in the country's most important European partner into the background. The acceleration of geopolitical challenges in recent days, particularly with regard to American positions expressed at the Munich Security Conference, for example, then led to increased scrutiny of the elections. The prospect of an expected change in policy following the victory of the CDU/CSU with Friedrich Merz in the defence and security policy area was greeted with relief by the French government majority.

Anja Czymmeck, Nele Katharina Wissmann
February 25, 2025
Country reports
Laura Hasani

No clear winner in the parliamentary elections in Kosovo: Forming a government will be complicated

Albin Kurti's Vetëvendosje movement becomes the strongest force without an absolute majority

The parliamentary elections held on February 9, 2025 were the first elections since independence to be held on the regular election date. However, the current election result without a clear winner may herald another phase of political instability with early elections. Although Prime Minister Albin Kurti's left-wing nationalist Vetëvendosje was by far the strongest party, it will in all likelihood need a partner to form a government. However, a governing alliance against Albin Kurti from the next three strongest parties would also be possible. Both options would face political challenges, as the local elections to be held in the fall and the presidential elections to be held in March 2026 are political breaking points for a future government.

Daniel Braun, Granit Ternava
February 20, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / APAimages

Regional Implications of the Fall of Assad

How do Jordan and Iraq React?

The capture of Damascus by rebel groups led by the Islamist HTS militia ended more than five decades of the Assad regime’s rule. Amman and Baghdad view the new rulers with scepticism, fearing Syria’s destabilization and fragmentation. However, Jordan also sees an opportunity to foster constructive neighbourly relations. In Iraq, mistrust of Syrian interim president Ahmad Sharaa runs deep. Nevertheless, a pragmatic approach toward the new leadership is emerging - one that should ideally be embedded regionally and internationally.

Dr. Edmund Ratka, Layan Ounis
February 18, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Björn Trotzki

China at the Munich Security Conference

More than just a short-term PR success for Beijing?

China was able to score diplomatic points at the 61st Munich Security Conference, according to observers – especially in contrast to the behavior of the USA. "Wang Yi appeared to be the only adult in the room," noted Table.Media, and Bayerischer Rundfunk reported on "China's charm offensive." But how is the appearance of the Chinese top diplomat discussed in China's media, and what conclusions are being drawn from the openly revealed differences between the USA and Europe in China's capital?

Johann C. Fuhrmann
February 18, 2025
Country reports
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The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.

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