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IMAGO / IlluPics

Extremists’ Understanding of Democracy

The boundaries of democracy under Germany’s Basic Law, examined through the example of the Alternative for Germany party

Liberal democracy is under pressure. Using the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as an example, this study examines where the boundary lies between legitimate political criticism and efforts directed against the constitutional order. It focuses on human dignity and equality, freedom of religion, the separation of powers and independent institutions, as well as the relationship with Europe and the freedom of political parties. The analysis identifies areas in which AfD positions conflict with fundamental principles of Germany’s Basic Law.

Prof. Dr. Hans Hofmann
October 5, 2026
Monitor
smarterpix / macor

Fault Lines of the Public. Representative Survey on the Consumption of Political Information

Representative survey on the consumption of political information and the evaluation of the public broadcasters in Germany

The political public is divided along two fault lines. On the one hand, younger and older people have different ways of obtaining political information. Younger people use online media, while older people rely on newspapers and television. On the other hand, there is a divide along political attitudes: People who advocate for lower taxes coupled with reduced social benefits, prioritizing economic growth over climate protection, and stricter restrictions on immigration feel significantly less represented in public media. Both divides make it difficult to reach a common understanding on political issues.

Dr. Jochen Roose, Jonas Schwarzenberger
October 1, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research
smarterpix / Fidaolga

Emotions in Democracy

Representative survey on the influence of emotions on political attitudes in East and West Germany

Emotions can be relevant to political attitudes and behaviour in many ways, especially fear and anger. The present study examines how widespread positive and negative emotions are and how they differ between voter groups. A total of eight different feelings are examined, three positive (happy, calm and composed, lots of energy) and five negative feelings (depressed, angry, overwhelmed, anxious, lonely). The negative emotions are examined in more detail and their influence on democratic attitudes is analysed.

Dr. Sabine Pokorny
September 24, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research
smarterpics / Boarding_Now

Analysis of the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on 20 September 2026

Analysis based on preliminary results, on the main determining factors, voter migration and social structure

In the state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD emerged as the largest party, ahead of the SPD. For the first time, the CDU failed to win a seat in a state parliament. Our election analysis provides explanations for the results, examining voter shifts and the key factors that influenced them. Drawing on exit polls and pre-election surveys, it explains the significance of voters’ assessments of leading figures, party capabilities and political issues for the election result.

Dr. Viola Neu, Dr. Sabine Pokorny
September 22, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research
IMAGO / Emmanuele Contini

Analysis of the election for the Berlin House of Representatives on 20 September 2026

Analysis based on preliminary results, on the main determining factors, voter migration and social structure

Following the elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the 2026 election year draws to a close with a mixed picture that does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the 2027 elections. Our election analysis examines voter shifts and the key factors determining the election result. Drawing on exit polls and pre-election surveys, it explains, amongst other things, the significance of assessments of leading figures, party capabilities and political issues.

Dr. Viola Neu, Dr. Sabine Pokorny
September 21, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research
IMAGO / Fotostand

Analysis of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026

Analysis based on the final results, on the main determining factors, voter migration and social structure

In the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD achieved by far the best result in its history. Based on election day polls and surveys conducted in the run-up to the election, we explain the significance of assessments of leading politicians, party competencies and political issues for the election results.

Dr. Viola Neu, Dr. Sabine Pokorny
September 7, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research
IMAGO / ZUMA Press

North Korea’s Strategic Rise

The Security Implications of Russian-North Korean Military Cooperation

In the shadow of Russia’s war against Ukraine, North Korea is increasingly evolving from an internationally isolated state into a strategically significant military actor. In exchange for extensive support for Russia, Pyongyang could gain access to sensitive military technology, thereby destabilizing the entire security order in East Asia.

Philipp Havlicek
August 20, 2026
Monitor
smarterpix / Gorodenkoff

Germany in the Era of Hybrid Warfare: Maintaining Security, Defending Democracy.

From cyberattacks to disinformation – Germany needs reforms in its security architecture and a new sense of social responsibility to counter hybrid threats

The security situation in Germany is increasingly aggravated by hybrid threats (espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation), primarily originating from Russia at present. Consequently, a reform of the security architecture is required, providing law enforcement and intelligence agencies with expanded powers, alongside a strengthening of civil protection. Furthermore, democratic resilience and a whole-of-society sense of responsibility are key factors in withstanding hybrid warfare.

Dr. Edmund Ratka
July 20, 2026
Monitor
IMAGO / penofoto

Baltic and Northern Defence – Towards an Integrated Maritime Strategy

Navigating the Future of European Security

The Baltic Sea region, the High North and the Arctic, as well as the adjacent waters including the North Atlantic, are a key arena of European security. European allies should build on initiatives already under way to create and implement a coherent, integrated and sustainable maritime strategy. This will be vital to providing a credible deterrence and defence posture. It should be informed by the lessons of the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, enabling enhanced European naval burden-sharing to support European interests at home and further afield.

Nick Childs, Johannes R. Fischbach
June 16, 2026
Monitor
IMAGO / Ralph Peters

Voting behaviour by age and gender

An analysis of voting behaviour by age group and gender

When it comes to the distribution of votes, elections consistently reveal differences based on age and gender. Whilst some of these differences follow well-known age-related patterns, the federal election in 2025 also revealed new phenomena. The high levels of support for parties on the fringes of the party system raise questions about the extent to which these differences are also reflected in political attitudes and which issues are decisive for young people. Drawing on representative data, this study sheds light on current developments in the voting behaviour of young people.

Dominik Hirndorf
May 31, 2026
Monitor Election and Social Research

Showing 1 to 10 of 160 entries.

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About this series

The Monitor series deals with one main topic at a time from the perspective of KAS experts and places it in the political and social context on the basis of a few key points.

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The contributions appear exclusively online and can therefore not be ordered.

 

The current main topics are “Development policy”, “Sustainability” and “Election and social research”. The contributions of these sub-series are presented for you on separate overview pages in addition to the overall series.