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Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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The German Supply Chains Act and the EU's CSDDD: Catalyst or Brake?

An analysis of the implementation and impact of the LkSG and the CSDDD on the Vietnamese economy

Since the beginning of the “China+1” policy, Vietnam has played a key role in the ASEAN region. Vietnam, which has enjoyed unparalleled economic growth of an average of 6-8% for three decades, is particularly interesting for foreign direct investment. German companies want to invest in the with the objective of diversification. Since January 2023 at the latest, with the introduction of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and now the most recent EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), it is no longer just the economic attractiveness of a country that matters. Rather, binding commitments to compliance with human rights, social standards and environmental protection play a central role for companies. Can the Vietnamese economy meet these requirements?

Marina von Borstel, Florian C. Feyerabend
December 20, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / Panthermedia

Korea's parties in turmoil

Generation change or carry on as before?

The next regular parliamentary election in South Korea is just under four months away. The conservative People Power Party (PPP) of ruling President Yoon Suk-yeol is hoping to win back the majority from the opposition Minju Party after several years of drought. However, unrest reigns on both sides: resignations, departures and rumours of mergers and new formations. A large proportion of the electorate is still undecided as to who they should vote for on 10 April. The race remains undecided.

Sarah Fahrenkrug, Yu-Jin Song
December 19, 2023
Country Reports
Ninni Andersson/Regeringskansliet

Challenges for Sweden one year after forming the government

Government loses support, Sweden Democrats make gains

The Kristersson government has been in office for a year with the support of the right-wing nationalist Sweden Democrats under the Tidö-Agreement.

Dominik Hauser
December 12, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / Scanpix

"Swish and Vote" in Estonia

Voting via smartphone soon?

After five years, the European Parliament elections will be held again in 2024. From June 6th to June 9th, 2024, over 448 million Europeans will be asked to cast their votes for various parties. People in Estonia are waiting with anticipation for the next European elections. If the current Estonian government of the Kallas III cabinet (centre-left coalition) is successful, Estonians will be able to cast their votes via smartphone for the first time in this election. Is this the next step in the progressive digitalisation of the country, or a neck-breaking move at the expense of democracy?

Oliver Morwinsky, Alexandra Clobes
December 11, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / Zoonar

Preliminary report on the elections in Serbia

Possible changes due to early parliamentary elections

On December 17 Serbia will hold early Parliamentary Elections, Local Elections for 65 municipalities and Regional Elections for the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The elections are a result of societal and political tensions, which were sharpened following two mass shootings in Belgrade and Mladenovac in May 2023 and the intensified tensions with Kosovo. The short and intensive election campaign is marked by increasing polarization. Regardless of the results, Serbia will face great internal and external political challenges in the coming year.

Jakov Devčić
December 11, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS

Russia in the Middle East

Strategies and Interests

Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and the resurgence of a hot Middle East conflict in October 2023 is attracting the attention not only of regional actors but also of the global community. Russia's reaction in particular is being watched with great interest. Russia, as the legal successor state of the Soviet Union, has a deep-rooted history of engagement in the Middle East. In addition to current Russian reactions to the Middle East conflict, this report is dedicated to the historical role of the Soviet Union and Russia in the region and highlights Russian interests in the Middle East.

Dr. Thomas Kunze, Christopher Hess
December 4, 2023
Country Reports
Adobe Stock / vepar5

The Democratic Republic of the Congo before the election

The Democratic Republic of Congo with its 100 million inhabitants votes in December - an opportunity and a challenge

On 20 December 2023, the people of Africa's second largest country, which has been ravaged by crises, mismanagement and war, will be called upon to take part in a mega-event: they will simultaneously elect the President of the Republic, the 500 members of the National Assembly, the representatives of the 26 provincial parliaments and, for the first time, the members of the municipal councils (city councils). President Félix Tshisekedi, the country's former beacon of hope, is standing for re-election. The presidential candidates all come from the well-known political class. However, the opposition candidates are primarily criticising the current government and the election process. Political parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are rarely guided by traditional ideological or democratic principles; they are often linked to tangible economic interests. In the past, there have been repeated cases of unrest after elections - in a country the size of Western Europe.

Jakob Kerstan
November 29, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto

Facing difficult dilemmas

Rishi Sunak and the Tories ahead of the 2024 elections

In the polls, the opposition Labour Party is far ahead of the ruling Conservatives. With the appointment of David Cameron as Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is under immense pressure, has certainly pulled off a coup. This risky move hints at the outlines of the strategy the British Conservatives will take into the 2024 election year.

Matthias Barner, Sebastian Schnorrenberg
November 28, 2023
Country Reports
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

Ameniens ambitionierte Ziele für eine (bildungs-)inklusive Gesellschaft 2025

Inklusion weltweit – Aktueller Stand aus Armenien

Armenien ist eines von drei Ländern im Südkaukasus und ein Nachfolgestaat der Sowjetunion. Es unternimmt seit Jahren sehr positive Bemühungen im Bereich der Bildungsinklusion, ist aber noch entfernt davon, eine inklusive Gesellschaft zu sein. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Büro der Menschenrechtsbeauftragten der Republik Armenien, erstellte die Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung im Südkaukasus im letzten Jahr eine Studie zu den Hürden für Menschen mit Behinderungen in Armenien.

Annika Mainka, Matthias Hespe, Helena Rentzing
November 24, 2023
Country reports with a difference
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

„Leaving No One Behind?“ – Inklusion in Japan im Stresstest

Inklusion weltweit – Aktueller Stand aus Japan

Der erste Blick auf die Straßen Japans verheißt Gutes: die gelben, gerillt und genoppten Markierungen ziehen sich wie ein stetes Band entlang der Fahr- und Fußwege, entlang an Überquerungen und Bahnsteigen. Fast überall im Land finden Menschen mit eingeschränkter Sehkraft sicher ihren Weg. Wenige wissen, dass diese taktilen oder tastbaren Pflastersteine einst in der Okayama Präfektur erfunden wurden. Erste behindertengerechte Vorkehrungen reichen in Japan sogar 700 Jahre zurück; seh- und gehbehinderte Menschen hatten je nach Art ihrer Arbeit sogar ein Anrecht auf Sänften.

Rabea Brauer
November 22, 2023
Country reports with a difference
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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.