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Privatfoto / Vasilis Kougionis

Forest and vegetation fires in Greece 2024

Challenges, Impact & International aid

The year 2024 in Greece was marked by numerous and devastating forest fires. This season once again represented a considerable burden for the Greek civil protection and civil protection as well as the fire brigades. The damage to the environment was high, although it should be noted that significantly less area was burned than in the previous year. The government's measures for early detection  fires, the equipment of fire brigades, the reduction of fire loads and the harsh penalties for arsonists seem to be having an effect.  This report analyses the main causes and effects of the fires in Greece, compares the figures with 2023, identifies the structures of civil protection and presents international aid and its possibilities for improvement. 

Marian Wendt
March 18, 2025
Country reports
Julian Tucker (KAS Regionalprojekt Nordische Länder)

Elections in Greenland

A Clear Signal Towards Independence

Greenlanders have elected a new parliament. The clear winner of the election is the liberal Demokraatit party (Democrats) with its leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen. They won by a surprisingly clear margin against the current left-wing coalition government of Siumut ( Forwards) and Inuit Ataqatigiit (Community of the Inuit). Nielsen's party pursues a conservative tax policy, is considered economically liberal and wants to achieve independence from Denmark in a step-by-step fashion. The second strongest party is the nationalist protest party Naleraq (Point of orientation). It was the only party to call for a swift exit from the Danish kingdom and rapprochement with the USA during the election campaign. The upcoming coalition negotiations could prove difficult in view of foreign policy upheavals. Nielson, former Minister for Industry and Minerals, announced his intention to talk to all parties. A broad-based alliance between Inuit Ataqatigiit, the party of previous Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and possibly with the Siumut party could form a stable government.

Larissa Stünkel, Christine Leuchtenmüller
March 18, 2025
Country reports
KI-geniert mit Adobe Firefly, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

AI Robotics as a Competitive Advantage

Reaching the Top with Intelligent Machines

AI-driven robots are a key competitive factor in the global economy. Germany is well-positioned in this field but must significantly expand its capabilities to play a leading role in the geoeconomic race. This requires simplified regulations, standardized frameworks, expanded sandboxes, a strong EU internal market, access to data, energy security, increased knowledge transfer from research to market, investment-stimulating incentives, and public acceptance.

Dr. Christian Hübner
March 18, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / Scanpix

Broken alliance in Estonia

The collapse of the coalition government

On 10 March 2025, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced the reshuffle of the Estonian coalition by dismissing the Social Democratic Party (SDE) from the coalition government. After this decision, the "Reform Party" and "Estonia200" have only a narrow majority with 52 out of 101 seats in the Riigikogu (parliament).

Oliver Morwinsky, Nikoloz Rogava
March 14, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / MediaPunch

Showdown in the Oval Office

US Opinions on the Future of Trump's Ukraine Policy

Relations between the USA and Ukraine hit a low point last week: In front of live television cameras, there was a confrontation in the Oval Office of the White House between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The result was a breakdown in talks and a pause in American aid to Ukraine.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
March 6, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Firefly/Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

High-Impact Tutoring: an effective lever for improving basic skills

How High-Impact Tutoring can strengthening basic skills and effectively combat the education crisis

Reading, writing and maths are essential, but many pupils do not achieve these skills sufficiently. High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) – intensive, evidence-based small group support – has proven to be an effective approach. Studies show significant learning gains. Germany should make greater use of this model, particularly as part of the Startchancen Programme, to systematically tackle educational deficits. HIT is presented here as the first of different approaches for strengthening basic skills.

Ekkehard Thümler
March 5, 2025
Facts and Findings
PantherMedia / Yarr65

State crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina convicts the President of the Republika Srpska

On February 26, 2025, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) sentenced the President of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, to one year in prison (which, however, he can avoid by paying a fine) and imposed a six-year ban on political activity for disregarding decisions of the High Representative of the international community, Christian Schmidt. Dodik's reaction to the verdict has led Bosnia and Herzegovina into a state crisis.

Stephan Georg Raabe
March 3, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Stock / wahyu; generiert mit KI

Why an independent Digital Ministry is indispensable and how it could be structured

Shaping the Digital Future: One Size Does Not Fit All – The Urgent Need for a Dedicated Ministry for Digital Transformation

Establishing a Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation with clearly defined mandates would be a crucial step toward significantly increasing administrative efficiency and sustainably improving the state's interaction with citizens and businesses. A dedicated ministry would also play a key role in ensuring effective and harmonized data protection in the digitalization of public administration. It would create clear responsibilities while addressing citizens' loss of trust, as well as Germany’s reputation and competitiveness.

Dr Pencho Kuzev
February 26, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / Zoonar

Bundestag election 2025: France hopes for policy change in Germany

The rise of right-wing populists, influence from Russia and the USA as well as policy changes in the area of security and defence are the focus of election reporting.

Germany has voted and until the election day on 23 February 2025, interest in the federal elections in France was rather low. Current domestic political tensions in France, the fragile French government and economic policy challenges pushed the question of a new government and parliamentary majorities in the country's most important European partner into the background. The acceleration of geopolitical challenges in recent days, particularly with regard to American positions expressed at the Munich Security Conference, for example, then led to increased scrutiny of the elections. The prospect of an expected change in policy following the victory of the CDU/CSU with Friedrich Merz in the defence and security policy area was greeted with relief by the French government majority.

Anja Czymmeck, Nele Katharina Wissmann
February 25, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Stock / BillionPhotos

Municipalities in (demographic) change – Strategies to reduce regional imbalances

What is the future of German municipalities in cities, rural areas, East and West?

Demographic change is increasing regional inequalities in Germany - rural areas in particular are struggling with migration, aging and economic challenges. While metropolitan areas continue to grow, structurally weak regions are threatened by a vicious circle of population decline and locational disadvantages. But how can this trend be reversed? The following article analyzes key location factors, recent studies, and innovative solutions for sustainable regional development.

Natalie Klauser
February 24, 2025
Facts and Findings
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