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IMAGO / ANP

The Netherlands before the elections

Current polls indicate difficulties in forming a majority

Early parliamentary elections for the Tweede Kamer will be held on 29 October. After Geert Wilders' right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV) left the governing coalition in June, bringing down Prime Minister Dick Schoof's government, a caretaker government remains in office. Two weeks before the election, the campaign to win voters' favour has reached its peak. Recent polls show that it will be difficult to form a majority. It remains to be seen whether the election results will lead to more stable political conditions. The following report outlines the background to the election, analyses campaign issues and tactics, and sketches out scenarios.

Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy, Domien te Riele
October 15, 2025
Country reports
SmarterPix / symbiot

More flexibility, less control?

Reorientation of the financial instrument for the EU's future partnership policy

On July 16, the European Commission presented a first draft of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the seven-year EU budget for 2028-2034. The initial proposal allocates €1.98 trillion for the next seven years. The package also includes a first draft regulation for the so-called “Global Europe Instrument” : this is to become the central financial instrument in the new MFF for shaping the EU's relations with its global partners. In many respects, the regulation represents the paradigm shift in European development policy that has been gradually taking place over the past few years towards a partnership policy that places greater emphasis on the EU's own interests. At the same time, the first draft also reflects the awareness that the EU finds itself in a different geopolitical environment than it did at the beginning of the current MFF (2021). Accordingly, the draft contains numerous innovations that attempt to take these circumstances into account. Some of these are nevertheless controversial and are likely to meet with opposition in some cases, particularly regarding the European Parliament's (EP) and Member States' limited powers of oversight. In any case, the negotiations between the Commission, the EP, and the Member States on the MFF, which are expected to last another year and a half, are likely to result in a number of fundamental changes that will also affect the Global Europe Instrument.

Dr. Olaf Wientzek
October 13, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Latin America's Switzerland under pressure

On the State of Democracy in Costa Rica Ahead of the Elections: Between Populism and Organized Crime

On February 1, 2026, Costa Rica will hold nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections. This election could mark a turning point for one of America's most stable democracies and is seen as a crucial stress test for the resilience of the country's democratic institutions. Deep-rooted structural problems such as deficits in the education system, high unemployment and lack of prospects – especially among young people – economic inequality, a worsening security crisis and institutional tensions in a highly polarised political landscape form a tense starting position.

Michaela Braun
October 10, 2025
Country reports
UN Photo / Manuel Elías

Reflection, Reckoning, and Resolve at UNGA80

Eighty years on, can the United Nations channel its founding spirit to tackle the challenges of our time?

In a flurry of diplomatic motorcades, more than 140 leaders and dignitaries from around the world descended on United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City for the High-Level Week of the 80th session of the General Assembly (UNGA) from 22-30 September. Business was not as usual. Ahead of its 80th anniversary on October 24, the UN finds itself in the throes of an existential crisis. In an era of rapid change and turbulence, the organization has been slow to respond and adapt, raising questions as to its effectiveness and relevance. Accordingly, the tone at UN80 was markedly less celebratory for an organization on the brink of a major milestone and more sobering in its honest stock-taking of the many global challenges left unresolved, unaddressed, and unmitigated. How will the UN navigate its next decade?

Thomas Tödtling, Dr. Mónica Castillejos-Aragón, Erica Mumford, Teresa Val
October 6, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / CTK Photo

Change of power in Czechia: Patriots for Europe determine the formation of the government

Between Brussels and Budapest? Where is a new government under Andrej Babiš heading?

On October 3 and 4, 2025, Czechia elected a new Chamber of Deputies. It was the moment of billionaire Andrej Babiš, the ANO chairman and one of the three founders of the “Patriots for Europe” faction in the European Parliament, to which Orban also belongs. With an election result of just under 35 percent, no government can be formed without him. Babiš is therefore setting the agenda. He is thus on the verge of fulfilling his dream of becoming head of government again. Everything is pointing to an ANO minority government, supported by the newcomer to parliament—his sister party from the patriots' camp—the motorists and the weakened right-wing extremists of the SPD.

Dr. Marco Arndt, Alena Reslová
October 6, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Depositphotos

India‘s young demographics and old democracy

Why India’s political representation is facing challenges

Political systems are in upheaval around India. Just recently, the young generation in Nepal rebelled against the entire party landscape or against the political class, which they saw as ageing. Travelers to India also immediately notice that the country has a young population. Children, teenagers and people in their thirties dominate the streetscape. Indian politics, on the other hand, is primarily embodied by older gentlemen. But can this phenomenon be statistically recorded? Is there a wider gap between the country's young demographics and the supposedly much older political class than would be the case in other countries?

Dr. Adrian Haack
October 2, 2025
Country reports
KAS

Two years of war – where is Israel headed?

Israel two years after the Hamas attack

October 7, 2025 marks the second anniversary of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel – the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust and a turning point in the history of the state. The attack led to the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel's longest war since its founding. Forty-eight hostages are still in the hands of Hamas, including seven Germans; around 20 of them are believed to still be alive. The fate of the hostages is emblematic of a society that, two years after the attack, has still not found a way back to normality. What impact has war and uncertainty left on Israel's politics, economy, and society?

Dr. Michael Rimmel, Pascal Franz
September 30, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / CTK Photo

Czechia before the Election

Stability or Change of Course? Foreign Policy Orientation under Scrutiny

On 3–4 October 2025, Czechia will elect a new Chamber of Deputies. The political landscape is polarized, the security and budgetary challenges are considerable, and populist as well as extremist forces are gaining influence. Yet the country now more than ever needs responsibility and a clear anchoring in Europe.

Dr. Marco Arndt, Martina Beránková
September 29, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Department of War: Change of Name, Change of Mission?

The Trump Administration's Defense Strategy

This fall, the Trump administration is expected to release its National Defense Strategy. While few details have been disclosed, a strong indicator of its direction is the recent 200th executive order, which renames the Department of Defense to Department of War.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Maša Ocvirk
September 26, 2025
Country reports
Thai News Pix/Arnun Chonmahatrakool

Change of Government in Thailand

New Elections in Spring

Thailand has a new government – at least an interim one: On September 5th, 2025, the Thai parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul from the conservative Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) as the new Prime Minister. The new cabinet was appointed on September 19. Charnvirakul succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), who – like her predecessor Stretta Thavisin – was removed from office by Thailand’s Constitutional Court after only one year in power. This makes him the third head of government since the last regular parliamentary elections in May 2023. The next change is already on the horizon: His election was tied to the condition that new elections and a referendum on constitutional reform must be initiated within four months. That means the clock is ticking until January 2026. What are the reasons behind these events? How will they affect the future government and the Thai party landscape? And most importantly: What’s next for this Southeast Asian country marked by political instability and uncertainty?

Dr. Angelika Klein, Sarita Piyawongrungruang
September 26, 2025
Country reports

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