Country Reports

Presidential Election in Benin in the Context of Democratic Backsliding in West Africa

Government Candidate and Former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni Wins the Election

On 12 April 2026, the citizens of Benin elected a new president. Romuald Wadagni, the former Minister of Finance and candidate of the governing coalition, emerged as the clear winner with 94.05 per cent of the vote. His sole opponent, Paul Hounkpè, chairman of the opposition party Forces Cauris pour un Bénin Émergent, lagged far behind with just under six per cent. Given the exclusion of the main opposition party Les Démocrates, the outcome of the election was largely predictable prior to the vote. Against this backdrop, observation focused less on the electoral result itself and more on voter turnout.

Morocco's Energy Wager: What European Partners Should Expect by 2030

Policy Brief 09

Yerevan in Europe’s Spotlight

One month before Armenia’s parliamentary elections, Europe’s heads of state and government convene in Yerevan for the European Political Community summit, followed by the first EU–Armenia Summit.

At a time of significant geopolitical tensions and just weeks before a landmark parliamentary election, Europe's eyes will turn to Armenia in early May 2026. Within a few days, Yerevan will be the venue for several high-level international formats – the meeting of the European Political Community (EPC), the first ever EU-Armenia summit and the high-level conference "Yerevan Dialogue". The concentrated presence of European heads of government, decision-makers, diplomats and international experts is more than a protocol event. It is an expression of a strategic repositioning of Armenia – and underlines Europe's role in the South Caucasus.

Giorgia Meloni’s reform agenda in the Political Laboratory of Italy

Judicial reform, electoral law, premiership

The failed judicial reform referendum marked Giorgia Meloni’s first major political setback. Having narrowly avoided a more serious government crisis, the question arises as to what remains of her far reaching institutional reform agenda. In the meantime, concerns are growing that the next parliamentary election could result in a stalemate between the centre right coalition and a potentially unified Campo Largo – a scenario of political stagnation that may be averted through a reform of the electoral system. This country report examines Meloni’s reform agenda in the light of three decades of structurally driven political instability and the earlier reform projects of Silvio Berlusconi and Matteo Renzi.

German Political Foundations in Morocco: A Strategic Partnership in Support of Dialogue and Cooperative Solutions

On the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held in New York on 26 September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, held talks with his German counterpart, Mr. Johann Wadephul. On this occasion, the two ministers signed an amendment to the technical and economic cooperation agreement governing the activities of the German political foundations in Morocco.

Alliance of Former President Radev Wins Snap Parliamentary Elections by a Clear Margin

“Progressive Bulgaria” secures an absolute majority of seats

Bulgaria’s political landscape has undergone a major transformation following the parliamentary elections held on 19 April 2026. After years of instability and a total of seven snap elections since 2021, this eighth trip to the polls has reshuffled the cards. The upcoming parliament will be dominated by a single force: the new alliance “Progressive Bulgaria” (PB), led by former President Rumen Radev, who stepped down from Presidential Office in January 2026. PB won 44.6% of the vote and secured an absolute majority of parliamentary seats. The central theme of PB’s election campaign was the fight against corruption and “oligarchy”; all other issues played a secondary role and attracted little public attention. The campaign itself was largely devoid of emotion and failed to generate widespread enthusiasm among the electorate. Voter turnout was higher than in previous years but, at 51.1%, remained at a relatively low level.

Foreign Policy Issues of the Republic of Cyprus during the EU Council Presidency

Since January 1, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus has held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The political history of the Republic of Cyprus has been strongly shaped by its colonial past, the tensions between the island’s two largest ethnic groups - the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots - as well as by the influence of third states and international actors. Since gaining independence in 1960, the political system has developed under difficult conditions that continue to affect the island’s politics and society to this day. This country report aims, in light of the EU Council Presidency and the informal Council at the end of April 2026, to provide an assessment of the island’s foreign policy situation.

Presidential elections in Peru

Keiko Fujimori heads to a run-off for the fourth time

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Peru on 12 April. The ongoing vote count suggests that Keiko Fujimori of the conservative Fuerza Popular party has won the election with 17 per cent of the vote. In light of this result, a second round of voting will be necessary on 7 June. It remains to be seen who will advance to this round as the runner-up: Left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez and conservative candidate Rafael López Aliaga are locked in a neck-and-neck race, each with 12 per cent of the vote. One must wait for the final vote count. Election day was marked by disruption due to the delayed delivery of polling materials in the city of Lima. The opening of 13 polling stations had to be postponed until the following day. In the regions, initial reports suggest the elections proceeded in an orderly manner and without major incidents. Peru’s foreign policy has traditionally followed a long-term approach, and this is likely to continue under a new government of any political persuasion. Germany and the EU should continue to make constructive use of this openness in foreign policy.

Balancing Act in the Persian Gulf: India’s Relations with Iran in the Current Crisis

Hormuz, Chabahar and the Limits of Strategic Autonomy

The escalation in the Persian Gulf illustrates how strongly Asian countries depend on stability in the region. India in particular faces a foreign policy balancing act: while maintaining close ties with the United States and Israel, it continues to rely on pragmatic cooperation with Iran for energy supply and regional connectivity. The current crisis therefore raises the question of how India can preserve its strategic autonomy without putting its economic and security interests at risk. This country report examines the importance of India-Iran relations in light of the recent developments.

Bosnia and Herzegovina in the election year 2026

Stagnation, regression or breakthrough?

On the 4th of October 2026 Bosnia’s population will cast their votes and participate in not just one, but in multiple elections on different levels. On a nationwide level they will vote for the Presidency - consisting of three members-, the national and entity parliaments – of the Federation of Bosnian and Hercegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS)- as also the regional parliaments in the ten cantons of the FBiH and the president of the RS.