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Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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IMAGO / Xinhua

Parliamentary elections in Romania: Majority urgently needed

Majority urgently needed

Just one week after the far-right Călin Georgescu unexpectedly came first in the first round of the Romanian presidential election, Romania's parliamentary elections took place on December 1, 2024. The result is a parliament full of medium-sized and small parties that will be very difficult to bind into a halfway stable government coalition. Since the appointment of the prime minister and the government is the task of the president, political attention is now turning again to the outcome of the presidential election, which is scheduled to take place on December 8.

Katja Christina Plate
December 3, 2024
Country reports
KAS/Anna-Lena Wasserfall

Elections in Ghana

Will the country remain a "democratic beacon" in an increasingly unstable region?

The election campaign in Ghana is well underway shortly before the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7. Temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius are not stopping people in the capital Accra from standing on the roadside for hours and waving flags and posters with the colours and symbols of their party. The red, white and blue colours of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the red, green, black and white colours of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) - the two major political parties in the country - are the dominant colours in the city these days. The growing tension among the population is clearly noticeable given the critical economic situation in the country.

Anna Wasserfall
November 29, 2024
Country reports

Uruguay chooses a change of power

Candidate of the Left prevails in the second round of voting

Yamandú Orsi was able to win the second round of the presidential election on November 24 surprisingly clearly. This means that the left-wing Frente Amplio will determine the fate of the government of the small country on the Rio de la Plata for the next five years. The centre-right coalition, which has now been voted out of office, will have to go into opposition. The search for the reasons for the election defeat of the actually successful and quite popular government has only just begun.

November 25, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / newspix

Tusk's Government Faces Obstacles

Poland One Year After the Change in Leadership

In October 2023, Poland experienced a historic moment of democratic engagement, with record voter turnout leading to a victory for the Civic Coalition (KO) under Donald Tusk. This electoral shift marked the end of the national-conservative Law and Justice Party's (PiS) eight-year rule. The new government faced the daunting dual challenge of reversing the PiS’s systematic erosion of the rule of law and repairing strained relations with the European Union and other international partners.

David Gregosz, Susanna Zapf
November 25, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua

Romania has voted

A resounding slap in the face for the ruling parties

Completely unexpectedly, the pro-Russian right-wing extremist Călin Georgescu is the first-placed candidate in the run-off election for the Romanian presidency. He is competing against the liberal Elena Lasconi (USR), who narrowly beat the third-placed Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu (19.15%) with 19.18%. With their vote, Romanian voters have delivered a resounding political slap in the face to the leaders of the current governing coalition (PSD-PNL). With potentially devastating consequences for the country's political future and possible repercussions for European security and the defense capabilities of NATO's eastern flank.

Katja Christina Plate
November 25, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Climate change in Europe: The flood of the century in Spain

Political and social consequences of the natural disaster

On 29 October 2024, the Spanish region of Valencia was hit by a severe flash flood. The ‘cold drop’ meteorological phenomenon has claimed the lives of 217 people so far, with 16 still missing. The damage already amounts to a mid double-digit billion euro sum. A multi-layered political reappraisal is now beginning, which encompasses several levels, from (omitted) prevention measures to acute crisis management and party political instrumentalization.

Dr. Ludger Gruber, Martin Friedek, Sara Brokelmann Álvarez
November 19, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Fotoarena

Brazil on a Summit High: Neutral and Pragmatic

Brazil ahead of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro

With its pragmatic equidistance, the host of this year's G20 summit is reaching its limits in terms of foreign policy, but its neutrality also offers opportunities. Thanks to its stringent neutrality and a good dose of pragmatism, Brazil has many options for diversifying its foreign and trade relations. In times of multiple crises, this strategy sometimes reaches its limits. The escalating global conflicts require clear commitments and clear action. Multiple interests must be carefully weighed up and close ties are becoming more difficult - in all directions. Brazil is a sought-after partner that is making a confident appearance on the international stage during Brazil's G20 year. Germany and Europe would be well advised not to close the doors that are still open.

Maximilian Hedrich, Philipp Gerhard
November 13, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Le Pictorium

Sudan crisis hits Sahel country Chad

An opportunity for Russia?

Chad is increasingly impacted by civil war raging in Sudan. Almost one million Sudanese have fled to eastern Chad, fuelling competition over land with locals who also complain about food prices. More refugees are expected to arrive as the warring parties in Sudan show no signs of willing to lay down arms – Europe is concerned that some will make their way to Libya to catch a boat to Italy. Chad’s President Mahamat Déby meanwhile is diversifying his partnerships by keeping his distance from France, the country’s traditional main partner, while also talking to Russia and working with the United Arab Emirates – the latter stands accused of channelling weapons via Chad to Sudan (Abu Dhabi denies the charges.

Ulf Laessing
November 12, 2024
Country reports

Plurality and dominance in the regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and Others voted at the local elections for their representatives

On October 6, 2024, local elections were held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 3.4 million citizens were called upon to elect their councils and mayors in 143 cities and municipalities. We have evaluated the results for the individual parties and in the various regions.

Stephan Georg Raabe
November 11, 2024
Country reports
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

Inklusive Bildung in Usbekistan

Inklusion weltweit – Aktueller Stand aus Usbekistan

Die Integration von Menschen mit Behinderungen in alle Bereiche der Gesellschaft hat eine hohe Priorität für das moderne Usbekistan. Bereits 2009 hat Usbekistan das UN-Übereinkommen über die Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen (UNCRPD) unterzeichnet und 2021 ratifiziert. Seit dem Amtsantritt von Präsident Schawkat Mirsijojew im Jahr 2016 wurden große Anstrengungen unternommen, um angemessene Lebensbedingungen für Menschen mit Behinderungen zu schaffen und ihnen Zugang zu Bildung zu gewährleisten.

André Algermißen
November 8, 2024
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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.