Senegal's democracy passes the stress test

The Constitutional Council has repealed Macky Salls' decree of 03.02.24 annulling the elections

There was much commotion in the country after President Macky Sall canceled the election date set for 25.02.2024 just a few hours before the start of the campaign. Senegalese civil society and the international community reacted with bewilderment and interpreted the annulment as an attempt by Macky Sall to extend his mandate indefinitely. Now, in a historic decision, the Constitutional Council has annulled the presidential decree.

The E-Commerce Moratorium: 404 Not Found

The "Geneva Telegram" explores events in Geneva-based multilateral organizations on a current topic. This time, we focus on the E-Commerce negotiations ahead of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, which will take place from 26-29 February in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Republic of Kosovo - Facts and Figures

2023 Edition

An overview of Kosovo's foreign policy, society, economy and culture. Different authors describe through short articles, divided into 17 chapters, the small and big things that define the country. Accompanied by beautiful photos "Republic of Kosovo - Facts and Figures" is the perfect introduction to Kosovo and its people.

KAS Philippines 60th Anniversary Celebration

As we recently honored the recipients of the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence (KAME) last Tuesday, February 6, we feel both pride and joy. This award symbolizes the embodiment of values and principles that have guided us at KAS Philippines through six decades of impactful presence in the country. We continue moving forward, focusing on the horizon with optimism and determination.

Why the European elections could be decided in Italy

Movement in the Italian party system reaches as far as Strasbourg and Brussels

2024 will be a real stress test for Italy's party landscape. European elections, regional elections, local elections - a super election year has begun. For some party leaders, political survival is at stake. And some groupings may no longer exist afterwards. Only Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli d'Italia can look to the future with relative calm when looking at the demoscopic data. The election to the European Parliament could even make the Italian head of government a key figure in Brussels when it comes to appointing new EU leaders. And surprises cannot be ruled out on the Tiber either.

Will South Africa make it out of the crisis this year?

"A country that cannot offer its young population (around 45 percent of the population is under 25 years old) any prospects is slowly but surely bleeding to death."

Nothing new in Baku

Incumbent Ilham Aliyev was declared the winner of the presidential elections in Azerbaijan with an overwhelming result. Only the president's vote itself caused a stir.

The start of the "super election year" 2024 had hardly any surprises in store. According to the official results, the incumbent Ilham Aliyev emerged as the clear winner of the early presidential elections in Azerbaijan on February 7. With this election victory, Aliyev has further consolidated his power and will remain in office for another seven years. Even before the election, his fifth re-election was considered a mere formality, as it was a rehearsed simulation of democracy in a state that has been firmly ruled by an authoritarian regime for three decades. Beyond the expected course of events, the president's own vote was of extraordinary symbolic value.

Senegal fights for its reputation - and its democracy

The region's democratic anchor of stability caught between a domestic political crisis and growing damage to its image among its international partners

The presidential elections in the West African country, which has been regarded by many as an anchor of democratic stability in the region, were due to take place on 25.02.2024. However, this was then canceled by presidential decree just a few hours before the election campaign was due to open. The country is now plunged into a domestic political crisis - and at the same time is fighting against a growing damage to its image among its international partners.

Technical government in Skopje: Kick-off to the super election year in North Macedonia

The technical government begins its work

The super election year in North Macedonia was heralded with the swearing-in of the technical government on January 28, 2024, which had to be formed 100 days before the election date. The basis for this is the so-called Przino Agreement of 2015, which ended a serious domestic political emergency through the intervention of the EU and the USA. Talat Xhaferi is the first member of the Albanian population group to assume the office of Prime Minister. The government's main task is to organize the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The 154th Meeting of the WHO Executive Board

The "Geneva Telegram" explores events in Geneva-based multilateral organizations on a current topic. This time, we focus on the 154th meeting of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO), which met in Geneva from 22 to 27 January 2024.

Significant progress was made at the 154th meeting of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO). A decisive milestone was the design of the WHO strategy for the period 2025-2028, which will be submitted to the World Health Assembly (WHA) for approval in May. Member states signalled broad support for the comprehensive plan of the first round of investment, which is supposed to take place in November 2024. This was a crucial step for sustainable financing and strengthening of the WHO. The session comprehensively covered health priorities, including universal health coverage, noncommunicable diseases, immunization, maternal and child health, neglected tropical diseases, antibiotic resistance, polio, emergencies, and health and peace. Progress has also been made on organisational and governance reform.