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European and International Affairs

European and International Affairs

Transatlantic Partnership, European Unification, Liberal World Order

News

The unity of Europe was a dream of a few. It became the hope of many. Today, it is a necessity for all of us. It is [...] necessary for our security, our peace, our existence as a nation and as an intellectually creative international community.

Konrad Adenauer, 1954

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At a glance

  • As a European foundation, we promote understanding between EU Member States, reject nationalist and populist tendencies and actively counter them.
  • The aim of our work is to strengthen the transatlantic partnership and the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy as a cornerstone of our security.
  • We bring innovative practices from abroad to Germany. After all, we are convinced that in times of increasing systematic competition, our western democracies can only preserve their economic and political competitiveness against autocratic states through innovation.
  • One focus of our work abroad lies in strengthening and networking decision-makers, experts, partner parties and their junior members, the military and selected civil society actors and groups. The goal is to promote democratic developments and stabilise fragile democratic systems.

 

Content

1. We bring european and international issues to the general public

2. Security is becoming more multifaceted and increasingly complex

3. Innovations determine competitiveness

4. Functioning parties support stable democracies

5. European unification – looking ahead

6. Liberal world order must be reformed

7. Our offers and projects on the topic

8. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic


 

At a time when the realignment of global power relations is becoming increasingly obvious, Germany and Europe must adapt and expand their concepts, strategies and instruments.

 

We bring european and international issues to the general public

In the areas of foreign and European policy, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has set itself the objective of strengthening political and academic awareness of new foreign policy challenges, drawing up analysis and consulting services and contributing towards a new foreign policy culture in Germany. We do this with the help of our more than 100 country offices and our experts in Germany. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung uses its event series, its regularly published political reports and studies, podcasts, a stronger multi-media presence as well as the International Reports magazine to raise broad public awareness of European and international affairs. Which focal points and basic convictions guide us in this?

 

Security is becoming more multifaceted and increasingly complex

For us, the Transatlantic Partnership and the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy are the cornerstones of our security. We want to strengthen them through our work. We believe, on the one hand, that security entails the classic military capability of national and alliance defence. Yet we know that we have to think about the concept of security in a multi-faceted way, on the other. The fight against Islamist terrorism is therefore just as high on our agenda as the complex interactions between climate change and security, and global health policy and security.

 

Innovations determine competitiveness

First and foremost, we see new innovations as an opportunity, and have tasked our country offices with keeping a close eye on how other societies are using possibilities of digitalisation. This is how we bring best practice to Germany. We are convinced that only through innovation can Germany and Europe remain economically competitive and in the political race with authoritarian models of society, while at the same time redesigning their production in an environmentally sustainable manner and secure their prosperity. On the other hand, we are aware of the challenges of digitalisation and discuss possibilities to politically shape it in terms of protecting the private sphere and our liberal social order.

 

Functioning parties support stable democracies

Democracy cannot function without functioning political parties! This credo also guides our work abroad. We thus strengthen and connect our partner parties in the different regions around the world and especially their young professionals, both with regard to content and to modern and value-based political communication. At the same time, we know that representative democracy facilitated by parties can be usefully complemented by participatory elements. That is why we strengthen selected civil society actors – not least in countries where free party competition cannot take place. It is particularly interested in supporting those people and institutions that champion the peaceful transition to democracy.

 

European unification – looking ahead

We see ourselves as a European foundation. We would like to counter growing nationalist and populist tendencies in many European Union Member States. Therefore, our work in Europe fosters understanding between member states and looks to the future: What holds us together as Europeans and in what kind of Europe do we want to live together? How do we practice solidarity with our European neighbours without losing sight of the individual responsibility of each state?

 

Liberal world order must be reformed

Many crises in recent years not least the Corona pandemic, have illustrated how important functioning multilateral organisations are for a rules-based world order. We thus actively support the reform process of the United Nations, just like the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation. For us, “multilateral world order” is always synonymous with liberal world order – both politically and economically. Today, this liberal word order is being challenged by authoritarian counter-models. That is why our work abroad is strengthening the ties with states, outside the North Atlantic region, which could be important allies in this conflict.


Our offers and projects on the topic

International offices and programmes

The commitment to democracy, rule of law, freedom and social market economy can only be sustainable if it is approached internationally.

Country Offices and Regional Programmes

 

With more than 100 offices in over 80 countries, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung pursues three main goals:

  • contribute to improving political framework conditions in the countries of operation and resolving problems in line with the foundation’s goals and values;
  • promoting the transfer of knowledge and a change of perspective between Germany and the countries of operation;
  • creating public forums for the representation of German political, economic, security and social interests.

 

You can find an overview with all offices on our worldwide map

International Media Programme

 

A democracy only functions if freedom of the press and of expression are guaranteed. However, these basic conditions do not exist in many countries around the world. That is why our offices in Johannesburg, Singapore and Sofia support media in the respective region with accepting its political responsibility and with contributing towards the development of democracy and strengthening statutory framework conditions. This enables the emergence of an independent media landscape as well as establishing a basis for the free formation of opinions in politics and society.

 

Learn more about the Media Programme

International Rule of Law Programme

 

Since 1990, the foundation has complemented its international projects for democracy promotion and political dialogue with the transnational Global Rule of Law Programme. Locations of the five regional programmes are in Bogotá for Latin America, Singapore for Asia, Nairobi Dakar for Sub-Saharan Africa, Bucharest for South-East Europe and Beirut for the Middle East/North Africa. Global activities concerning the rule of law are coordinated from Berlin.

 

Learn more about the Rule of Law Programme

International Party and Political Dialogue

Democracy promotion is one of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s primary objectives abroad, too. 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. Learn more on the pages of our Regional Programmes.

 

Learn more about Party and Political Dialogue

Multilateral Dialogue / Multinational Development Dialogue

 

In New York, Geneva and Vienna - important main locations of the United Nations - our foundation offices deal with relevant and current discussions and debates conducted by the United Nations and its sub-organisations. At the Washington location, the office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung works, among other things, on the Bretton Woods Institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In Brussels, the Foundation promotes dialogue with the Global South. The work of our offices is oriented towards our overarching priority themes: “Security needs freedom”; “Sustainability needs innovation” and “Democracy needs participation”.

 

Learn more about the Multilateral Dialogue / Multinational Development Dialogue

European Offices

 

The European Office Brussels has been supporting the European Union’s development since 1978. What is more, it supervises projects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The goal is to positively influence the European integration process in the spirit of Konrad Adenauer, with EU policy being particularly important for us in this regard. The European Office sees itself as a forum for Christian Democratic interests. It primarily aims to heighten understanding of basic motives behind the unification process.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels shapes development policy dialogue with the European Union and NATO. In doing so, it contributes the experience and expertise of KAS’ global project work as well as the interests of German development policy to the consultation process of the European Union.

 

Learn more about the European Office Brussels

Learn more about Multinational Development Policy Dialogue


 

Selected event series

Strengthening the culture of debate and arousing interest in international political issues: that is the main focus of our regular event formats. This way, our foreign policy expertise reaches a broad public outside the political establishment in Berlin, and, in turn, obtains valuable insights.

F.A.Z.-KAS Debate on International Politics

 

The annual F.A.Z.-KAS Debate on International Politics intends to play a part in reinforcing the important discussion on foreign policy issues in Germany. This debate brings together two partners with extensive experience and knowledge in international affairs: The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung with its 111 offices abroad and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which for many years has been analysing international politics with its recognised foreign policy expertise.

 

Learn more about the F.A.Z.-KAS Debate

Adenauer Conference

 

What role does NATO play? What is the Corona pandemic affecting security policy? Where is Europe in the system competition? At the annual Symposium on Germany’s Role in International Security Policy, high-ranking politicians and experts discuss strategic issues for the future.

 

Learn more about the Adenauer Conference

Speech on Europe

 

The Speech on Europe is the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe: The President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission takes it in turns to present their positions on the idea and state of Europe. The format is a cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.

 

Learn more about the Speech on Europe

GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum

 

Since 2005, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has been an important partner in the organisation of the annual GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum. The Forum is one of the most important strategic conferences in the field of security and international relations. The aim is to promote dialogue on current and future challenges in European and foreign policy.

 

Learn more about the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum

Forte International Security Conference

 

Since 2003, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brazil, in cooperation with the foreign policy think tank Brazilian Centre for International Relations (CEBRI) and the Delegation of the European Union, has organised the annual “Forte International Security Conference”. The main objectives of the conference are to discuss and exchange current international security issues of common interest to partners on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Learn more about Forte International Security Conference


 

Selected publication and website projects

We accompany current events analytically and use our expertise on the ground or take up interesting debates and look at them from different angles: The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung regularly produces exciting information pages, publications and website projects on various aspects of international issues, which we present to you below.

75 years of NATO

 

As an important pillar of European security, NATO has not lost its relevance in 75 years of its existence – quite the opposite. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has shown just how important the transatlantic alliance is for Europe. On our project page for the Alliance's 75th birthday, we take you on a journey through NATO's history and highlight current developments, challenges, and opportunities. So, come and take a look and discover our wide range of publications and other formats to mark NATO's 75th anniversary!

 

Learn more about NATO's 75th anniversary

BRICS expansion

 

At its summit in August 2023, the BRICS alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa decided to expand by six countries from January 2024.

What does the inclusion of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia mean for the alliance's cohesion, economic power and geopolitical significance? How is "BRICS+" viewed in the various regions? And above all: what conclusions should the EU and Germany draw from this?

 

Find out more about the BRICS expansion


 

Selected podcasts

Politics for on the Move: Accessible via any Smartphone, our podcasts provide exciting insights and background information on international topics. In discussions that are easy to understand by the general public, experts as well as KAS specialists explain foreign policy events and developments, international politics and place global debates in the forefront. Thanks to the audio format, conversation partners can be reached anywhere in the world.

Auslandsinfo.Spotlight

 

Background information in which there is no space in the news or topics underexposed in the media – the “Spotlight” podcast gives them the attention they deserve: Hence, scarcely addressed ongoing crises are examined, geopolitical shifts are explained and connections are established.

 

Learn more about Auslandsinfo.Spotlight

MultiPod

 

How does the United Nations Human Rights Council work? What multilateral alliances are there in Latin America? And why is arms control important? From New York to Brussels, Geneva and Vienna to Singapore - in the MultiPod, once a month we talk about current international and multilateral issues. Besides experts from international organisations, our colleagues from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s worldwide network of country offices have their say. They classify processes in depth, explain connections and provide background information.

 

Learn more about MultiPod

Rule of Law Rules

 

What value is accorded to human rights in the digital age? We speak to international experts about data protection, legal tech and the use of artificial intelligence.

 

Learn more about the Rule of Law Rules

 

Anniversary: 60 years of international work

Our international engagement began in the 1960s in Latin America. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is now represented on all continents with over 100 offices in more than 80 countries. With its projects, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung campaigns worldwide for the rule of law, multilateralism, climate protection and social market economy.

On the Beginnings and Development of Work Abroad

 

The world has changed dramatically over the last 60 years. Yet the mission of realising a political, social and economic order based on human dignity in all parts of the world, has remained. Here you can read, see and hear all about the beginnings and development of our work abroad.

 

Learn more about the beginnings and developments of the work abroad


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Contact

Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Division European and International Cooperation

Gerhard.Wahlers@kas.de +49 30 26996-3260 +49 30 26996-3567
Contact

Clauspeter Hill

Clauspeter Hill

Deputy Head of the Division European and International Cooperation

clauspeter.hill@kas.de +49 30 26996-3481 +49 30 26996-3552
Contact

Caroline Kanter

Portrait von Caroline Kanter

Deputy Head of the Division European and International Cooperation

caroline.kanter@kas.de +49 30 26996-3527 +49 30 26996-3557

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Publications, events and media contributions on the topic

Our contributions are as wide-ranging and multifaceted as the topic itself!

Whether it's an expert interview, specialist publication or hot debate - click through and you're guaranteed to find the right format for you!

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Publications on this topic

Carolina Leitao IMAGO / Aton Chile

Chile: A failed experiment

An outlook to the presidential and parliamentary election in November 2025

Demonstration in Bogota after assassination attempt on presidential candidate 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

Donald Trump am 03.02.2025 im Oval Office IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The US strategy in West Africa under Trump

America Engaged or America First?

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković 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

Kommunalwahl Lettland 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?

Supporters of Evo Morales went to the electoral court to demand his candidacy in the presidential election in August. IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Elections in crisis

Weeks before the presidential elections, Bolivia is going through deep political and economic turmoil

Euro coin in front of a Bulgarian flag AdobeStock/Rochu_2008

Bulgaria ready for the eurozone

European Commission and European Central Bank with positive convergence report

Friedrich Merz_Donald Trumnp_Oval Office IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Making a Statement in Washington

Chancellor Merz's first visit to President Tump

Demonstranten am Macdonald Monument in Montreal, das an den ersten Premierminister Kanadas, John A. Macdonald, erinnert. Jer Clarke / flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 / creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.de

Postkolonial und antiwestlich

Die Überwindung des Westens als Grundidee postkolonialer Theorien

4 Flaggen zu sehen von links nach rechts: Ukraine, Europa, Deutschland, Israel Adobe-Stock

Principles of German Foreign Policy

Impulses from the Young Foreign Policy Working Group

Ballot box at the local elections in Lebanon in May 2025 IMAGO / Xinhua

Local elections in Lebanon

Important milestone for the new government and indicator of the political balance in the country

Goddess Justice in front of the Mexican flag PantherMedia / JaneUK

Election of judges in Mexico

Between the promise of democracy and the concentration of power

Map of the Month 05-2025 WHA78_Pandemic Agreement

Key votes during the 78th World Health Assembly

Map of the Month 05/2025

Luis Montenegro IMAGO / NurPhoto

Parliamentary elections in Portugal

Continuity and turning point

Joy at the election of the first American Pope in St Peter's Square IMAGO / NurPhoto

Just How American Is the American Pope?

U.S. Reactions to the Election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.

Flags of the European Union and the African Union IMAGO / photothek

Third EU-AU ministerial meeting in Brussels

New impetus for the anniversary?

FDP Parteitag mit Christian Dürr im Vordergrund IMAGO / Steinsiek.ch

Back to square one!

The Free Democratic Party (FDP) after the 2025 federal election

Friedrich März und Boris Pistorius neben Carsten Breuer in Litauen. Im Hintergrund deutsche Armee IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The security situation in Lithuania in spring 2025: threat and response on NATO's eastern flank

Lithuania relies on deterrence, armament and close partnerships

Der Außenminister von Surinam, Albert Ramchand Ramdin, feiert seine Wahl zum Generalsekretär während einer Sitzung der Organisation Amerikanischer Staaten (OAS) in Washington (EE.UU.). 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

Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen und Antonio Costa am 19.05.2025 in London. IMAGO / Avalon.red

The Art of the Deal: The Brexit Reset is taking shape

A new chapter in the Euro-British partnership

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Events on the topic

May

2025

-

Jul

2025

Islamismus in der deutschen Gesellschaft

Vorlesungsreihe der KAS, des CASSIS sowie des IOA der Universität Bonn, der FNS und GSP

Jun

2025

Wie weiter im Westen?

Außen-, außenwirtschafts- und sicherheitspolitische Herausforderungen für Deutschland in Zeiten der zweiten Amtszeit von US-Präsident Donald Trump

Jun

2025

Kiel

Kiel Security Conference 2025

Stormy Seas and Silver Linings: New Realities in the Baltic and Beyond

Jun

2025

Nachbarschaft im Wandel ­– Kultur, Politik und Wirtschaft Polens

21.-25. Juni 2025, Studienreise nach Warschau

Event Reports on the topic

Event Reports on the topic

Kas.de

Veranstaltungsbericht: „Wie der Westen seine Werte und Interessen verrät“

Kas.de

Der 8. Mai 1945. Das Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs und seine Lehren für die Gegenwart

Bericht zu Fachtagung und Podiumsdiskussion anlässlich des 80. Jahrestags des Endes des Zweiten Weltkriegs

Harbarth im KAS-Büro Quito (002) KAS Ecuador

Together for the Rule of Law

President of the Federal Constitutional Court visits the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Ecuador

Besuch des Geländes des Nova Festivals KAS-Büro Israel

The Middle East after the terrorist attacks of 7 October

Visit of Dr. Gerhard Wahlers to Israel and the Palestinian Territories

IMG_0063

Bonn/Berlin – Moskau. Irrungen und Wirrungen.

Die Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik seit 1990: Ein Rückblick beim ersten Wetzlarer Gespräch

Sendker-Glas FB

Was sind die Perspektiven der Ukraine nach drei Jahren Krieg?

Eine Bilanz des 50. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 25. Februar 2025 mit Marion Sendker und Othmara Glas.

Kas.de

Gemeinsam für Gerechtigkeit – Junge Delegierte diskutieren globale Ungleichheiten bei BERMUN

Sendker, Sirakov, Denison

Perspektiven der transatlantischen Partnerschaft unter US-Präsident Donald Trump

Eine Bilanz des 49. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 21.01.2025

Kas.de

Der Berliner Jahresrückblick 2025

Rückblick auf das Karlsruher Gerichtsjahr

05_149 Geburtstag Adenauer Friedrich Merz 151

„Lebendige Erinnerung an Konrad Adenauer“

Kas.de

Stabil oder fragil? EU- und NATO-Land Rumänien nach der Wahl

Eine Bilanz des 48. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 11.12.2024

20241205_170419063_iOS

Zuwanderung und Zugehörigkeit

Eine Bilanz des 1. Rheingauer Gesprächs zu Staat und Recht an der EBS Universität am 05.12.2024

Group Picture (1)

Gemeinsam nach vorne schauen

9. Westbalkan-Botschafterkonferenz

Bild 4

"Trumps Schutz hat ein Preisschild" - USA nach den Präsidentschaftswahlen

Wintervortrag in Zusammenarbeit mit GSP und Bundeswehr

Kas.de

Mit vereinten Kräften zu besseren Gesundheitssystemen

Kas.de

Nach den Präsidentschaftswahlen in den USA

Neue Herausforderungen für die Sicherheitspolitik?

Schülerinnen und Schüler

„Gemeinsam Mittendrin – Europa (mit-) gestalten“

Der erste inklusive JugendpolitikTag in Kooperation mit der Volkshochschule Düsseldorf

Header Europa-Rede Gerd Markert/KAS

‘Europe must stand on its own two feet’

State of Europe 2024

Planspiel 1

"United Beyond" - EU Planspiel

KSN_9536 (1)

Deutsch-Indische Synergien für die Zukunft

5. Konferenz des Indo-German Young Laders Forum (IGYLF) in Berlin

Publications

Media library

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

Ecuador: In the stranglehold of the drug cartels

Ecuador is turning from a tourist destination into a drug hub. Gangs rule Guayaquil, violence is escalating and Europe's cocaine consumption plays a central role.

First episode of “International Reports”

Flashpoint in the South China Sea

KAS has launched "International Reports," its new English-language podcast. The first episode covers geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

KAS USA Online Event

AI x Biotech: Its Cybersecurity Implications

Our report on the convergence of AI and biotechnology analyses threats and possible solutions. Watch the launch event!

Jakov Devcic redet für den montenegrinischen Podcast

Leiter der KAS Serbien und Montenegro für Podcast "Podkast od uticaja" in Podgorica

Thema des Podcasts ist die Rolle der politischen Bildung bei der Stärkung der Demokratie und die Bedeutung junger Menschen für das politische Leben der gesamten Region.

Read now
Erststimme #104 (German Podcast)

Simone Menne: How much strain is Donald Trump putting on German-American relations?

What does ‘Trump2²’ mean for the German economy and German-American relations? We discuss this with Simone Menne, President of the American Chamber of Commerce Germany.

Read now
Deutschlad vor der großen Koalition

Wahlergebnisse in Deutschland

Jakov Devčić, Leiter der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Serbien und Montenegro sprach für RTS über die gesellschaftlichen Trends in Deutschland, die durch die Wahlergebnisse aufgezeigt...

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Fena/Sektor für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der PSBiH
Besuch des Direktors der KAS im Repräsentantenhaus von BiH

Gespräch mit Parlamentspräsident Denis Zvizdić von NiP am 13. Februar 2025

Zvizdić und der Direktor der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in BiH Raabe sprachen über wichtige Schritte für den Fortschritt BiHs in Richtung EU. Medien berichteten über den Austausch.

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IKPK24

IKPK24: Hector Munoz about the mexican elections 2024

In this interview, political advisor Hector Munoz explains what we can learn from the election in terms of communication and what innovative communication strategies were used.

IKPK24

IKPK24: Eric Wilson about the secret of the republican's success

What was the strategy of republicans at the election to reach voters? We asked Eric Wilson, Executive Director of the Center for Campaign Innovation in Washington D. C..

Jakov Devcic, Leiter des Auslandsbüros Serbien/Montenegro red...

Kosovo-Ministerin warnt vor neuem Balkan-Krieg

Die kosovarische Regierung versucht ihren Einfluss durch mehr robuste Präsenz von Polizei-Spezialeinheiten deutlich zu machen. Auf der anderen Seite vermittelt das bei der mehrheitl...

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