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Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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IMAGO / Newscom / AdMedia

Iraq’s New Government Between Domestic Constraints and External Pressures

Leading without a Base?

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi took office in May 2026 as a surprise candidate – with no political party, no seats in parliament and a cabinet left incomplete, in the middle of a war that pits Iraq’s two key part-ners, the US and Iran, against each other and has closed the Strait of Hormuz. So far, his lack of a politi-cal base appears to have worked in his favour rather than against him, however. What this means for his capacity to govern is a different question, and the answer seems to depend on the file: an advantage wherever power runs through the executive, a handicap wherever it must be assembled vote by vote.

Veronika Ertl, Yara AlZubi
August 12, 2026
Country reports
Timo Roujean

The Democratic Republic of the Congo at a Turning Point

The Democratic Republic of the Congo at an Institutional Crossroads: How the Planned Constitutional Referendum is Pushing the Country to the Brink

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a critical political moment as President Félix Tshisekedi seeks to amend the 2006 Constitution to allow a third presidential term. The proposed law for the organisation of a constitutional referendum has already passed Parliament and the Senate and was recently declared constitutional by the country's highest court, making its enactment largely a formality. The initiative comes at a particularly sensitive time, with parts of eastern Congo still under the control of AFC/M23 rebels and the country grappling with a worsening Ebola outbreak. Against this backdrop, the practical feasibility of such a referendum, as well as the political responsibility of pursuing it, has come under increasing scrutiny. Critics argue that prioritising constitutional change amid these crises undermines democratic principles and continues a broader trend of eroding the rule of law that began under former President Joseph Kabila. Moreover, the reform could exacerbate existing political tensions and push the country into a more profound institutional crisis.

Timo Roujean
August 6, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Avalon.red

Britain Has Another New Prime Minister: Andy Burnham

What Andy Burnham can do, what he wants to do, and what his arrival in Downing Street means for Germany and Europe

On 20 July 2026, Andy Burnham took office as Britain's seventh Prime Minister since the Brexit referendum. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester promises nothing less than a fresh start. He wants to be a "circuit-breaker" for British politics, rewiring the country's political and economic systems. Whether that ambition holds will depend less on the scale of the vision than on the conditions for delivering it: tight fiscal room for manoeuvre, an impatient and fragmented electorate, and the cohesion of a parliamentary party that already broke his predecessor. Canan Atilgan and Sebastian Schnorrenberg assess what Burnham can do, what he wants to do, and what his arrival in Downing Street means for Germany and Europe.

Dr. Canan Atilgan, Sebastian Schnorrenberg
August 4, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Senegal Between Vision 2050 and Political Reality

Stability Amid Transformation

The transfer of power in 2024 marked a historic turning point for Senegal. With Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, a political movement from outside the established centers of power entered the presidential palace and secured a parliamentary majority for the first time. Expectations of the new leadership were correspondingly high: it promised a fundamental political and economic renewal, greater transparency, stronger sovereignty, and a fairer distribution of economic opportunities. Two years later, the record is mixed. Ambitious reform plans and the long-term development agenda of Vision Sénégal 2050 are confronted by significant economic challenges, a debt crisis, and a deepening conflict within the former alliance. At the same time, Senegal has succeeded in expanding its diplomatic influence in West Africa and beyond.

Jonathan Nowak, Fatoumata Sy Gueye, Lucien Nadieline
July 24, 2026
Country reports
KAS / Kelly Dam

Brand building in China and the 'Guochao' (national trend) phenomenon

From national trend in China to global phenomenon?

This report examines Guochao ("China Chic or the national wave"), a cultural and consumer trend that has grown from a niche aesthetic movement into a defining force in China's marketplace. By merging traditional Chinese heritage with modern design, domestic brands have tapped into a growing sense of cultural pride, especially among Generation Z consumers. The report traces the evolution of Guochao into its current "3.0" phase, analyses its effects on branding strategies and consumption patterns, and considers what it means for international companies operating in or entering the Chinese market. Finally, it looks at Guochao's broader significance for China's cultural influence and its role in extending the country's soft power on the global stage.

Kelly Dam, David Merkle
July 20, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Mauritania between national dialogue and geopolitical power politics

Stability cannot be taken for granted

Political developments in Mauritania are often underestimated in Europe. Yet today, the country is one of the democratic West’s last reliable partners in a region increasingly turning away from Europe. While Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are under military rule – with a high influence of Russia in recent years – Nouakchott is prioritizing political stability, international cooperation, and cautious reforms. However, challenges might rise faster than the state’s capacity to act. The “national dialogue” could therefore prove to be a crucial test for the country’s future stability.

Steven Höfner
July 17, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Israel’s Election Campaign Begins

A major upheaval?

Israel is facing one of the most important elections in its recent history. Events during the current legislative term—particularly the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023—have profoundly transformed Israeli politics and society. At the heart of the October 27, 2026, election is the question of the country’s future political direction, as well as whether the era of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—now 76 years old—will continue or come to an end.

Dr. Michael Rimmel, Pascal Franz
July 17, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Senate elections in France

The Senate as an anchor of stability during a turbulent presidential election campaign

The whole of Europe is eagerly awaiting the 2027 presidential election in France. Yet it is often forgotten that during late summer 2026, on 27 September 2026, another important election will shape the political Rentrée: the partial renewal of the Senate. The upper house of the French Parliament comprises 348 senators, who are elected for six-year terms, with half the seats being up for election every three years. The last Senate elections on 24 September 2023 confirmed the existing centre-right majority. The Senate is not elected directly, but by an electoral college (Grands Électeurs), which is predominantly made up of local councillors and members of parliament at national and regional level; the election takes place at the level of the départements (which represent the constituencies for the Senate elections) and the minimum age for standing for election is 24. The electoral system varies depending on the size of the constituencies: in départements with up to three seats to be filled – which constitute the majority – a two-round first-past-the-post system applies, while in larger départements with four or more seats, elections are held under a proportional representation system. This system gives smaller and rural local authorities, in particular, disproportionate influence. Against this institutional backdrop, there are strong indications that the Senate will continue to be characterised by a stable centre-right majority even after the elections. Nevertheless, a few months before the presidential election, politically symbolic shifts could occur – particularly through the possible formation of a separate parliamentary group by the Rassemblement National (RN). At present, the party holds only three seats in the Senate; however, given its strengthened local roots, it could reach the threshold of ten seats required to form a parliamentary group.

Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
July 16, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO/Dreamstime

Djibouti’s geostrategic importance

Country profile, external actors and Germany’s role in security policy

For some time now, the Horn of Africa has been the scene of strategic competition between external powers, which are continually expanding their military and economic influence in the region. Within the context of this rivalry, the small coastal state of Djibouti is of particular importance. Owing to its geostrategic location at the Bab al-Mandab Strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, five states have already established permanent military bases there. Although Germany is not part of this group of countries, until a few years ago the German Navy was stationed off the Horn of Africa to work alongside European partners in combating maritime threats such as smuggling at sea, piracy and terrorism. In view of the recent resurgence of Somali piracy and the latent threat to international merchant shipping posed by the Yemeni Houthi militia, securing maritime trade routes in the Horn of Africa is more important than ever for Western nations.

Jan-Ole Voß, Karl Wiesemeyer
July 16, 2026
Country reports
IMAGO / Bestimage

Le Pen intends to stand as a candidate

The Court of Appeal’s ruling and its political consequences in France

The Court of Appeal’s ruling against Marine Le Pen on 7 July 2026 marks the start of a new phase in the run to the 2027 presidential election. Whilst the leader of the Rassemblement National (RN) parliamentary group has confirmed her candidacy and announced further legal action by appealing to the Court of Cassation – which will examine whether the two lower courts committed any procedural errors – the RN is banking on the leadership duo of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. The ruling marks the actual start of the presidential election campaign, which is likely to further deepen political polarisation in France.

Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
July 8, 2026
Country reports

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About this series

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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Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.