European and International Cooperation

Oliver Morwinsky, Sveta Pääru

Reuters / Yves Herman

Parliamentary elections in Estonia 2023: Tailwind for Kaja Kallas - but how stable is the country?

Estonian reform party wins elections with 31.1 percent

At the beginning of March, a new parliament was elected in Estonia. The election campaign was largely determined by the war in Ukraine and security policy issues. The Estonian Reform Party won the elections with 31.1 per cent of the vote. Kaja Kallas, the party's leader and prime minister, was confirmed in office. However, the real winner of the election is Eesti 200, which will enter the Estonian parliament for the first time. Overall, voter turnout increased compared to the 2019 elections. Never before have so many votes been cast online as this year; a new method of calculating votes was also used for the first time. Politically, the result provides a basis for a possible deepening split in Estonian society - especially in the north-east of the country.

March 7, 2023

Lucas Lamberty, Nele Eing

REUTERS / Ahmed Saad

100 Days of the New Government in Iraq

A Balancing Act

In his first 100 days in office, the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has demonstrated that he can hold his heterogeneous coalition together and navigate with great skill between the complex interests of the various Iraqi parties as well as Iran and the United States. Sudani's course appears professional and purposeful. Nevertheless, the head of government's balancing act shows how difficult it will be for him to implement sustainable reforms in the country. After more than four months, the government has achieved little, despite far-reaching announcements. The German government should continue to support Sudani on his reform course. Baghdad's rapprochement with Berlin also gives cause for hope.

March 6, 2023

Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy

Reuters / POOL New

Israel im Schatten der Justizreform - aktuelle Herausforderungen für die Demokratie

Steht die Gewaltenteilung auf dem Spiel?

„We are no longer in a political debate, but on the brink of constitutional and social collapse“ - Israel am Rande eines verfassungsrechtlichen und gesellschaftlichen Zusammenbruchs - so der israelische Staatspräsident Jitzchak Herzog in einer emotionalen Fernsehansprache vom 12. Februar, die die Dramatik der aktuellen innenpolitischen Situation in Israel verdeutlicht. Anlass dieser - für israelische Staatspräsidenten eher ungewöhnlichen - Rede an die Nation war die andauernde Debatte um die von der Regierung Benjamin Netanjahu geplante Justizreform. Diese hat das Land in eine historische Verfassungskrise und Krise der inneren Verfasstheit gleichermaßen gestürzt und stellt die Demokratie vor große Herausforderungen.

March 6, 2023

Adobe Stock / Vlad

"The State of Southeast Asia"

In uneasy times, Europe sits among Southeast Asia's preferred partners

In early February, Singapore’s ISEAS - Yusuf Ishak Institute published its 2023 version of their annual State of Southeast Asia Survey. The survey assesses the views of over a thousand Southeast Asian experts, policymakers and practitioners on geopolitical developments, international affairs and how they gauge ASEAN's engagement with its Dialogue Partners. The survey includes good news for Europe. Not only is the EU a desired partner in general, but its particular capacities match up well with the ASEAN region's priorities.

Jan Kliem

March 2, 2023

Reuters / Damir Sagolj

China's Communists before the 14th National People's Congress

People's Republic appoints new government

Growing international tensions, a dramatic real estate bubble and widespread youth unemployment: in this environment, Xi Jinping will be elected President of the People's Republic for a third term at the National People's Congress, which begins in Beijing on 5 March. After his show of force at the 20th Communist Party Congress in October 2022, Xi will now be able to appoint a group of loyal followers to the government of his designated premier, Li Qiang. China's head of state is cementing his power amid current global political challenges and internal crises. Nevertheless, the first session of the 14th People's Congress marks a historic turning point in several respects.

Johann C. Fuhrmann

March 2, 2023

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Political and Social Impact One Year After the Start of Russia's War of Aggression against Ukraine

The Western Balkans State in the Sights of Russian Politics

For years Russian actions of disruption and destabilization of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be observed. The War in Ukraine sheds new light on this interference since it serves also the interest of Republika Srpska´s President Milorad Dodik.

Sven Petke, Jan Petzke

Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes, Nikolaj Boschnakow, Borislaw Wankow

Bulgaria: Political and Social Impact One Year After the Start of Russia's War of Aggression against Ukraine

Reactions in politics and society in Bulgaria

For historical reasons, pro-Russian attitudes are widespread in Bulgaria.

Holger Haibach, Luka Blaić

Croatia: Political and Social Impact One Year After the Start of Russia's War of Aggression against Ukraine

Since Russia´s Attack on Ukraine, the Country´s pro-Ukraine Sentiment towards the War has Remained Unchanged.

For Croatians, the war in Ukraine brought back traumas from its own Homeland war of the 1990s and this has ensured a resolute solidarity with the struggle of the Ukrainian people. However, the war gives room for different interpretation and thus sharpens the internal dispute between government, opposition and president.

Czechia: Political and Social Impact One Year After the Start of Russia's War of Aggression against Ukraine

Czech Republic's clear course in support of Ukraine

Since 24 February, Czechia has taken a highly ambitious course in support of Ukraine and punishing Russia for its new wave of aggression against its neighbour.

Pavel Havlíček