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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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Geneva Barometer

Developments among Geneva-based international organisations from October to December 2023

The ‘Geneva Barometer’ takes an occasional look at selected developments among international organizations based in Geneva.

Andrea Ellen Ostheimer, Sarah Ultes, Cedric Amon, Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
December 22, 2023
Country Reports
Reuters / Rodrigo Garrido

Chileans reject a new constitution for the second time

55% of voters again vote against the draft constitution in the plebiscite

More than four years have passed since President Sebastián Piñera's message at the end of 2019, in which he announced the start of the process to draft a new constitution. Since then, Chile has gone through two of these processes, with a total of four elections and two draft constitutions rejected by the citizens - a unique situation by global standards.

Olaf Jacob, Patricia Armingol
December 20, 2023
Country Reports
The White House

India and the USA

From "alienated democracies" to global shapers?

The partnership between the world's two largest democracies, India and the USA, is one of the most strategically important of the 21st century. Until recently, it was at an all-time high. However, this was not always the case. It was only at the beginning of the 1990s that both countries gradually emerged from the constraints of the bipolar world order. From a relationship of convenience, a promising working relationship has emerged that extends to many strategic areas - from trade and defense to joint space missions. How did this change come about and what potential do Indo-US relations hold for each other and for the preservation of a free and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and beyond?

Alicia Pommer
December 20, 2023
Country Reports
IMAGO / Pond5 Images

Presidential election 2023 in Liberia

Peaceful change of power and hope for progress.

Opposition candidate Joseph Boakai replaces incumbent President George Weah in office and becomes the new head of state of the Republic of Liberia. Hopes for the new government are high.

Dr. Stefanie Brinkel, Anastasia Rentzing
December 20, 2023
Country Reports
Nathan Cima / Unsplash

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

Europäischer Rat - Dezember 2023

Feuerwerk zum Jahresende: Der komplizierteste Ratsgipfel seit Covid

Beim letzten Ratsgipfel des Jahres 2023 sollte es nochmal um viel gehen. Bereits im Vorfeld wurde darüber spekuliert, dass dies der komplizierteste Gipfel seit der Pandemie werden und mitunter in die Verlängerung gehen könnte. Es ist nicht ganz so dramatisch gekommen, wie zunächst angenommen. Gleichwohl mussten die Staats- und Regierungschefs, unter denen sich nun auch erstmals wieder der frischgebackene Ministerpräsident Polens, Donald Tusk, und der luxemburgische Premier Luc Frieden befanden, einige Themen in den Januar schieben. So konnte der Ukraine zwar mit dem Beschluss zur Aufnahme von Beitrittsverhandlungen eine konkrete EU-Beitrittsperspektive eingeräumt werden, jedoch wurden weitere Finanzhilfen mitsamt dem mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen erstmal in den Januar vertagt. Ähnlich ging es auch beim Thema Nahost zu, wo die Fronten verhärtet scheinen und daher keine gemeinsame Position gefunden werden konnte. Das Thema wird ebenfalls im Januar wieder aufgegriffen werden. Fortschritte konnten hingegen bei den Themen Sicherheit und Verteidigung und der Strategischen Agenda gemacht werden. Der große Durchbruch kurz vor Weihnachten blieb somit aus, wenngleich der Gipfel wohl aus ukrainischer Perspektive historisch sein dürfte.

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Tom Körner, Lukas Wick, Stanislav Linchevsky, Domien te Riele
December 15, 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
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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.