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Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler

New Faces and New Focus

Chancellor Friedrich Merz Leads New Government in Germany

Germany has a new government with Friedrich Merz from the CDU elected as Chancellor by the Bundestag. His cabinet consists of 17 ministers from the coalition parties CDU, CSU, and SPD. They aim to address the backlog of reforms in Germany and set new priorities in foreign policy.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
May 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Martin Bertrand

100 Days Cabinet Zheljaskov

A positive interim assessment

On 16 January 2025, the Bulgarian Parliament (National Assembly) elected a coalition government consisting of the alliance “Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria - Union of Democratic Forces” (GERB-SDS, both EPP), the “Bulgarian Socialist Party - United Left” (BSP-OL), the “There is such a people” party (ITN) and the “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” (APS). The cabinet has now been in office for 100 days and it can be concluded that it has succeeded in restoring political stability in the country and setting the course for the future. Bulgaria also remains a reliable and important partner for Germany.

Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes, Borislaw Wankow
May 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Avalon.red

Papst Leo XIV

A "Latino at heart"

Pope Leo XIV is not only the first American to occupy St. Peter's throne, but also the first Peruvian. The election of Robert Prevost, who was granted Peruvian citizenship in 2015, plunged an entire country into jubilation. The new pope has deep roots in Latin America, where he served as a priest and bishop for over two decades. Like his predecessor Francis, Leo XIV is likely to focus international attention on social issues and Latin America. At the same time, his demeanor is characterized by reconciliation and compromise, rather than political infighting.

Jonathan Neu, Sebastian Grundberger
May 12, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto

Canada has voted

A new course is being set

In the midst of a serious crisis with the USA, Canada is once again governed by a Liberal minority government following early elections. Despite good results, the Conservatives miss out on what they thought was a certain election victory. Canada appears to be on the way to a two-party system.

Dr. Bernd Althusmann
May 6, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Waiting for the White Smoke

Conclave in Rome

From Wednesday, the international media will be focused on what is probably the most famous chimney in the world. Who will step onto the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after the “Habemus Papam” and give the first “Urbi et Orbi” blessing? The vast media hype in the Eternal City shows that the Catholic Church and the Papacy have still universal relevance. For the cardinal electors, however, the aim is to bring together the program and the person. But a lot of things run differently at the conclave than an outsider might imagine. This analysis sets out the key themes of the future pontificate and considers which personalities could represent them.

Michael Feth, Dr. Nino Galetti
May 5, 2025
Country reports

Morocco Through Donald Trump’s First 100 Days in the White House

Navigating the Trump Administration’s Second Term

Donald Trump’s return to the White House for a second term has sparked strong reactions worldwide, with some hailing him as a hero destined to reshape the world, while others fear he will lead it to ruin. Regardless of where one stands, one thing is certain: Trump is a polarizing figure who always defies expectations. From surviving an assassination attempt to defying predictions of imprisonment and reclaiming the presidency after a failed re-election bid, his first term proved to be a whirlwind of surprises. As he begins his second term, the world watches closely, particularly Morocco, which faces both opportunities and challenges in navigating the unpredictable path Trump’s administration may take, especially with his “America First” doctrine shaping global relations and foreign policy.

May 5, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / AAP

A Historic Election for Australia

Labor’s landslide victory and Conservatives in disarray

In the same week that Canada swung left, Australia followed with a similar but even more decisive result. Just two hours after polls closed—at 8:25 p.m. on May 3—ABC News officially declared the Australian Labor Party (ALP)'s election victory and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's second term. A red wave swept across the country, delivering the Conservatives their worst defeat in recent memory. The loss was significant in scale, and symbolic: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton even lost his own seat in Parliament, a seat he had held for 24 years.

Chhayheng Soth
May 5, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO/AAP

Australia is heading to the polls

Between everyday worries and global pressure, Australia is facing important decisions

On March 28, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the federal election would be held on May 3rd, after three years under the government led by the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The Prime Minister is being challenged by Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal-National Coalition, who is currently polling behind in several opinion polls. As of April 23, the ALP held a 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent lead over the Coalition in the two-party preferred polls, favored to again lead the next government. 1

Chhayheng Soth
April 25, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO/ITAR-TASS

Assessing Myanmar’s Earthquake Response

Mechanisms for current and future humanitarian missions

The 2025 earthquake has reflected not only the fragility of Myanmar’s infrastructure but the deep fractures of its political and humanitarian landscape. In a nation where aid is weaponized, civil war fragments the state, and conscription pushes the flight of an entire generation, traditional humanitarian responses fall short. As the military junta continues to manipulate disaster for its own survival, international actors must rethink their approach. While it is an almost impossible task to bypass the military leaders entirely, especially for international agencies like the UN, relying on information from the Myanmar Diaspora and Civil Society Organisations helps: with who to engage on the ground, which funds and networks to support financially (even from abroad) and opening up the possibility of land border for aid delivery, point to alternative means of humanitarian assistance for current and future missions.

Moritz Fink, Dana Lee
April 25, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / robertharding

The Pope who shook the world awake

On the death of Pope Francis

The radical, the unyielding, the unfinished, the contradictory, the enigmatic – there is certainly no shortage of metaphors in the media for the late Pope Francis and his eventful pontificate. But after these exciting years, in which there was certainly no shortage of conflicts, crises and wars, what is the bottom line? What is the legacy that Francis has left behind politically and diplomatically on the international stage? What can a successor build on, where would a change of course be needed? The cardinals will also have to discuss this. We try to make an initial assessment.

Michael Feth, Dr. Nino Galetti
April 23, 2025
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.