Asset Publisher

Publications

Asset Publisher

IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Rodrigo Paz's election victory heralds a new era

At the height of the economic crisis, Bolivia decides on a change of course in domestic and foreign policy

After what seemed like an endless 150 days of campaigning, the outcome is now clear. Former opposition senator and mayor Rodrigo Paz will lead Bolivia as president from November 8 with a clear mandate from the voters. There is no time to lose. The Andean country's economy has collapsed, and the population is suffering from fuel shortages and skyrocketing food prices. The patience that the Bolivian electorate has shown until the conclusion of the presidential elections amid the dramatic economic crisis has now been exhausted, and quick solutions are expected. At the same time, there are already signs that governing could be difficult for the new president despite favourable majority conditions in parliament.

Dr. Christina Stolte
October 20, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / epd

Transatlantic partnership taken further: Why now is the moment for German-Brazilian relations

In light of geopolitical tensions and a crumbling world order, Germany and Brazil are rediscovering their partnership – as equal democracies with shared interests

For decades, Germany and Brazil have enjoyed a close partnership based on economic cooperation, but which now extends far beyond this. Both countries share fundamental values: democracy, social responsibility, multilateral cooperation and the conviction that global challenges can only be overcome by working together. In a world increasingly characterised by geopolitical power shifts, threatening foreign economic policies and the erosion of international norms, German-Brazilian relations are gaining strategic depth.

Maximilian Hedrich, Philipp Gerhard
October 20, 2025
Country reports

Handbook on the 2025 Local Elections in the Republic of North Macedonia

First edition

Traditionally, since 2013, every election year, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Office in Skopje (KAS) and the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” from Skopje (IDSCS) prepare handbooks for the electoral processes in the country.

October 17, 2025
Single title
IMAGO / Bestimage

Political balancing act in France

Gaining time as a strategy of the Lecornu II government

France is experiencing a political state of emergency: within just a few days, Sébastien Lecornu was appointed Prime Minister, presented a cabinet, resigned – and was finally reappointed to form a government. Amid mass protests, internal party resistance and a deeply divided parliament, this political balancing act seems like an attempt to patch up a structural crisis with temporary solutions. What was intended to be an orderly transition following François Bayrou's resignation quickly became a symbol of the growing instability under President Emmanuel Macron. The new prime minister is now supposed to build bridges, secure budgetary majorities and calm the country – but instead, it is becoming clear how fragile the political foundations of the Fifth Republic have become. Lecornu II is less a new beginning than a tactical manoeuvre: a temporary government without solid backing.

Anja Czymmeck, Nele Katharina Wissmann
October 17, 2025
Country reports

Flawed elections: The Syrian People’s Assembly of October 2025

by Assaad Al Achi

Syria witnessed a major historical defining moment on December 8, 2024. After 14 years of conflict and 54 years of rule, the Assad regime finally fell. What seemed impossible just a week before has finally happened and Syria is finally free.

October 16, 2025
Single title
IMAGO / Anadolu Agency

Global Gateway Summit - New impetus for pragmatic partnerships

The second summit of the EU's Global Gateway infrastructure initiative courts partner countries and the private sector

The second Global Gateway Forum on 9/10 October provided the EU with an opportunity to publicly promote the infrastructure initiative “Global Gateway”, launched in December 2021, announce initial successes and unveil several new projects with various partner countries around the world (including in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energies and electricity grids). At the same time, the Commission wanted to address some of the criticisms that had been voiced since the initiative's inception, including through a demonstratively strong presence of the private sector, which had been less involved at the start of the initiative. Despite the initiative's bumpy start, the high-level participants from numerous third countries showed great interest in closer cooperation with the EU within the framework of the initiative. Other partner countries, however, were irritated by the rules for participation.

Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Sven Nicolay
October 16, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Bestimage

Reactions and expectations in the Middle East and North Africa

Hostage release, ceasefire and peace summit

Two years after the brutal attack on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas and other Islamist groups on 7 October 2023, and following the subsequent Gaza War, a ceasefire came into effect on 10 October 2025. This was achieved primarily on the basis of Trump's 20-point plan and was accompanied by negotiations and an agreement between the US, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. How do the states in the Middle East and North Africa view this important progress in the crisis-ridden region: the release of the living Israeli hostages and the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip? What are the expectations for the peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh and what demands are being made of the EU and Germany in particular, especially with regard to the future of the Gaza Strip? The heads of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's offices in the Middle East and North Africa provide an overview.

Dr. Thomas Volk, Dr. Michael Rimmel, Pascal Franz, Simon Engelkes, Steffen Krüger, Dr. Ellinor Zeino, Dr. Markus Hildebrand, Philipp Dienstbier, Christina Baade, Dr. Edmund Ratka, Michael Bauer, Steven Höfner
October 16, 2025
Single title

Roadmap of Reciprocal Steps for a Limited De-escalation between Belarus and the EU

An Expert View

During the year 2025 the Belarusian regime has pursued an active diplomatic outreach toward the United States. This process has included high-level contacts, group releases (and deportations) of political prisoners, and the first precedent easing of the U.S. sanctions since 2020.

October 16, 2025
Single title
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

U.S. Reactions to Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan

Celebrations and Questions after the Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump has achieved a diplomatic breakthrough. Through a combination of negotiation skills, strategic pressure, and personal commitment, he has successfully persuaded Hamas and Israel to sign a peace agreement. As a result, hostilities have ceased, humanitarian aid has been delivered, and—most notably—Israeli hostages have been released. Following celebrations in the region and widespread praise for the president, American experts are now asking: What comes next?

Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
October 16, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ANP

The Netherlands before the elections

Current polls indicate difficulties in forming a majority

Early parliamentary elections for the Tweede Kamer will be held on 29 October. After Geert Wilders' right-wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV) left the governing coalition in June, bringing down Prime Minister Dick Schoof's government, a caretaker government remains in office. Two weeks before the election, the campaign to win voters' favour has reached its peak. Recent polls show that it will be difficult to form a majority. It remains to be seen whether the election results will lead to more stable political conditions. The following report outlines the background to the election, analyses campaign issues and tactics, and sketches out scenarios.

Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy, Domien te Riele
October 15, 2025
Country reports

Asset Publisher

Facts and Findings

Selected contributions to the series with international relevance

The series informs in a concentrated form about important positions of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on current topics. The individual issues present key findings and recommendations, offer brief analyses, explain the Foundation's further plans and name KAS contact persons.  

International Reports

Journal for international issues, foreign policy and development cooperation

International Reports (IR) is the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's periodical on international politics. It offers political analyses by our experts in Berlin and from more than 100 offices across all regions of the world. Contributions by named authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial team.

EPP Party Barometer

The Situation of the European People's Party in the EU

The EPP Party Barometer illustrates the current situation of the EPP party family in the EU. On a non-regular basis, it provides a concise overview of current election results, polls from the member states and the composition of the party family.

Interviews

In our series "Interviews", talks and discussions are held with experts from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. on various topics.

kurzum

Concise, reduced to the essentials, but always highly topical. In our series "kurzum", our experts summarise an issue or problem on a maximum of two pages.

Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

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.

Event Reports

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.