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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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imago / xFlorianxGaertnerx

Sudan's search for stability

Background to the current conflict

The situation in Sudan is tense. Currently, armed fighting is taking place between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum. The former allies are fighting over economic resources and, above all, power in the country. At worst, the conflict could take on a regional dimension and is also explosive because of the international entanglements. The country report sheds light on the events and background to the current situation in Sudan.

IMAGO / Le Pictorium

Diplomatic Crisis in Chad

Also a test for German-French relations?

Diplomatic crisis between Germany and Chad: The Sahel state expelled the German ambassador in April after criticizing the military government of President Mahatma Déby, which has been delaying elections and cracking down on the opposition. The affair also throws light on France's often problematic relationship with its former colonies such as its ally Chad.

Flickr / UN Geneva / CC BY-NC-ND 2

Geneva Barometer

Developments among Geneva-based international organisations from mid-February to mid-April 2023

The ‘Geneva Barometer’ takes an occasional look at selected developments among international organisations based in Geneva.

IMAGO / Panthermedia

Election´s ahead in Türkiye: Nation or People?

On May 14th the Turkish people will elect a president as well as a new parliament.

On May 14, Türkiye will elect a president as well as a new parliament. Incumbent Erdoğan is being challenged by the longstanding CHP-politician Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Both candidates are supported by respective alliances. The so-called National Alliance of the opposition includes a broad ideological spectrum of six parties. While the strongest party within the alliance, CHP, presents itself as a center-left party, the Good Party has its origins in the nationalist movement. DEVA and the Future Party are both headed by former ministers who served under president Erdoğan. The Democrat Party is considered a liberal conservative party whereas the Felicity Party is a islamist party. The National Alliance is tied together by the goal of reestablishing parliamentary power. Beyond that, the opposition is attacking the economic and migration policies of the current government. President Erdoğan, for his part, is being supported by the so-called People´s Alliance containing various political ideologies as well. Most striking, however, are the radical members of the People´s Alliance, such as Hüda Par, a kurdish-islamist party openly opposed the kemalist consensus of the Turkish republic. Yet, the electoral campaign is overshadowed by the earthquakes which erupted the Southeast in early February. Four weeks before the election will take place, this report summarizes the developments of the last two months and takes a look ahead.

IMAGO / Scanpix

Forming a government in Estonia

Difficult start for cabinet Kallas III

On April 10, the newly elected parliament (XV Riigikogu) in Estonia convened for the first time. The 13 ministries are divided between Reform Party (7 ministries), Estonia 200 (3 ministries) and the Social Democratic Party (3 ministries). In the process, 7 ministers from the previous government will accompany a ministerial post. Five ministries will be headed by women, eight by men.

IMAGO / Andia

Inflation Reduction Act: Only One of Several Incentives

The real competitive advantages of the US in the subsidy race

At a time when debates over protectionist industrial policies or even transatlantic trade conflicts are numerous, this Country Report shows that traditional economic metrics, such as a high-skilled employee-pool, a comparatively high return rate on sales and low per-unit labor costs respectively, are key factors that continue to motivate German companies to increase their investments and operations in the US. Much more so than the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the ensuing European furor over the law has led many to believe. When trying to preserve Germany as a premier global business location, lawmakers would be well advised to further prioritize Germany's innovation potential along established economic metrics, while speeding-up approval and procedural processes in particular.

IMAGO / Aton Chile

More dissonance than unity

Two summits reflect Latin America's democratic disunity

Despite all the calls for unity, Latin America presents a very mixed picture a few months before the next EU-Latin America summit. Although the continent is currently mostly governed by shades of the political left, it is hardly able to pursue a common regional and global foreign policy. Moreover, the political left often fails to demonstrate democratic credibility. Both the Ibero-American Summit in the Dominican Republic and a "Human Rights Forum" under the UNESCO logo in Buenos Aires expressed this clearly.

Unsplash / Rodrigo Santos

The Integrated Review Refresh 2023

The Integrated Review Refresh is intended to update the 2021 Integrated Review, a key document of British foreign policy, in light of a shifting world situation.

Germany is still working on a national security strategy and the governing coalition has not been able to agree on the establishment of a National Security Council. In contrast, the British government last month delivered: The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 (IRR23) builds on the Integrated Review (IR) of two years prior and is a key geostrategic document. In around 60 pages, it sets out the goals of British foreign policy and outlines strategies for achieving them. The added value of the IR is that it does not get bogged down in details, but strives to integrate the priorities of the United Kingdom (UK) in different policy areas and for different regions of the world into an overall picture that is as coherent as possible. The overall picture, which can be gleaned from the current IRR23 is similar to that of the 2021 IR but exhibits some differences that are particularly significant for Germany and Europe. The latter suggest that the post-Brexit UK has now overcome the bombast and hubris of the Johnson years and found a healthier balance between strategic ambition and pragmatism.

KAS

Parliamentary Elections in Thailand

Initial Situation and Possible Scenarios

The next general election in Thailand will be held on May 14, 2023. One day after the dissolution of the House of Representatives on March 20, the Election Commission officially announced the new date for the ballot.

Adobe Stock/Павел Мещеряков

Spain in the super election year 2023

Starting position

Spain is experiencing an extraordinary political year. On May 28, elections will be held in 12 of the 17 regions (Comunidades Autónomas) and in all municipalities. On July 1, 2023, Spain will take over the EU Council Presidency. In addition, national elections are due at the end of 2023. The exact date has not yet been set. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's Spain office is starting a series of reports with a description of the initial situation. In the coming weeks and months, in-depth analyses of the parties, their election programs and the election results will follow.

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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.