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Adobe Stock / agrarmotive

Wind power as a key to Vietnam's sustainable future?

Climate change, energy security, and economic growth

Globally, there are regional differences in the need to adapt to and combat the immediate impacts of human-induced climate change. Vietnam is particularly affected due to its long coastline. A key component of strategies to combat climate change is the transition to sustainable power generation, as this has so far caused a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energies, especially wind energy, are crucial to reducing the negative climate impacts of power generation. "Green" electricity is increasingly demanded by international investors. But what is the status of wind energy expansion in Vietnam? What are the driving factors and where is there resistance?

Johannes Wawrzinek
December 10, 2024
Country reports
Dante Fernández/ FocoUy

Political breakthrough on EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Founding of one of the world's largest economic areas after 25 years of negotiations

After a quarter century of negotiations, a surprising political agreement on the EU-Mercosur pact was reached at the Mercosur Summit in Montevideo on December 6. In an era of growing protectionism and increasing multipolarity, this breakthrough is of central importance. By establishing one of the world's largest trading blocs, the EU, after 25 years of negotiations, creates facts and demonstrates its ability to act. In light of China's investment offensive in the region, this represents an important geopolitical signal. EU member states are now called upon to swiftly ratify and bring the agreement to life.

December 10, 2024
Country reports
Adobe Stock / Korawan; generiert mit KI 

Greater capacity for action for public administration with artificial intelligence

Strengthening the future viability of the administration through practical AI expertise, simplified regulatory compliance and European AI in critical areas

Artificial intelligence offers the opportunity to make public administration sustainable and efficient. This is an urgent task in view of the major challenges facing the state. This requires practical AI expertise, simpler regulatory requirements and the mandatory use of European AI in critical areas. In this way, the administration can master demographic challenges, strengthen trust and secure its ability to act - for a modern, efficient administration in the digital age.

Dr. Christian Hübner
December 10, 2024
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / SOPA Images

A Window of Opportunity for Syria

After more than 50 years, the rule of the Assad family is coming to an end. This is cause for celebration. But Syria faces huge challenges.

The fall of the Assad regime was as sudden as it was swift. But after more than 13 years of civil war and in view of the complex regional environment, the political reorganisation of Syria is not going to be easy. A heterogeneous alliance of partly jihadist rebels will have to organise the political transition and involve the relevant stakeholders in the process. There is a great sense of optimism in the country, but this is mixed with concerns about revenge and renewed conflict.

Michael Bauer
December 10, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / MAXPPP

Georgia on the barricades

Since the government announced that Georgia would suspend its EU rapprochement, tens of thousands have been protesting across the country every evening.

Less than a month after the controversial parliamentary elections in Georgia, the old and new head of government Irakli Kobakhidze surprisingly declared that the government led by the Georgian Dream party had decided not to endeavour to enter into EU accession negotiations until 2028 and not to accept any further EU payments. This was preceded by a strong resolution by the European Parliament, in which the parliamentary elections of 26 October were described as not free and fair and the Georgian Dream was held responsible for massive democratic setbacks in Georgia. Since then, there have been massive protests every night in numerous cities. The police responds with brutal violence, the demonstrators respond with fireworks. Hundreds of people have been arrested. The fronts have hardened.

Stephan Malerius, Florian Binder
December 9, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Government overthrow in France

Germany's closest partner in the crisis

The vote on the 2025 budget proved to be a stumbling block for Michel Barnier's government. With 331 out of 577 votes (289 were required), the Barnier government was overthrown by a motion of no confidence from the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP), which was supported by the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN). Prime Minister Barnier had tried until the very end, including in a television interview the evening before, to convince politicians and compatriots that the fall of the government would plunge France into chaos. With the end of the government, France is facing a seemingly insurmountable stalemate that could have lasting consequences for France and Europe against the backdrop of high national debt.

Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
December 6, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Le Pictorium

The EU and its global partners in a new legislative period

Leveraging its power or struggling to deliver?

When it comes to the relations with its global partners, the re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has formulated high ambitions: the goal is to “leverage” the EU’s “power and partnerships”. When in 2019 she dubbed her first commission as a “geopolitical” one, this appeared as a bold and – for some – controversial choice of words. With two major conflicts in the EU’s immediate neighborhood and an increasingly fragile global environment, strengthening ties with global partners seems no longer to be a choice, but a vital necessity of the EU. While the EU is only at the very beginning of the new legislative period, policy guidelines, hearings, interviews and not least the new setup of Commission, Parliament and Council allow an idea about the future priorities and strategies from Brussels towards the world. While a complete turnaround of the EU’s strategy with its global partners seems unlikely, some shifts are to be expected: more (interest-driven) pragmatism, more prioritization and an attempt to forge more equal partnerships.

Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Jonas Nitschke, Louis Bout, Nicole Linsenbold
December 4, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto

Surprise coup against Parliament

In conflict with opposition, South Korea’s President declared martial law

During the night of December 3-4, 2024, martial law prevailed in South Korea for the first time since the days before democracy in 1980/81. President Yoon Suk-yeol declared that the opposition's efforts to cut his budget and for further impeachment proceedings against members of his government were a threat to the country and spoke of infiltration by pro-North Korean forces. A few hours later, he was forced to reverse the decision by successful resistance from parliament and massive demonstrations, and now his government is in ruins. The next few days will probably only decide whether he leaves voluntarily or has to be forced.

Thomas Yoshimura
December 4, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Panthermedia

Snap Elections in Iceland

A Turning Point for Iceland's Political Landscape

The result of the early parliamentary elections in Iceland represents a clear rebuke to the outgoing coalition. In particular, the Left-Green Movement, which had garnered over 17 percent at the beginning of the coalition, is now fighting for its survival after losing all its seats in parliament. The conservative Independence Party, which has been the strongest party in the Icelandic parliament since Iceland's independence in 1944 – with the exception of 2009 – has also achieved its historically worst result. The task of forming a coalition now lies with the Social Democrats, who will need to find at least two to three coalition partners.

Aino Esser, Oliver Morwinsky
December 3, 2024
Country reports
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

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