For more years of “Law and Justice”?

Parliamentary election scenarios for the PiS, Poland’s governing party

Since the Russia invasion in Europe in violation of international law, Poland, Germany’s large neighbour, has become an important “front-line state” on the border of Belarus and Ukraine. In the autumn of 2023, it will elect a new parliament. The “Law and Justice” party, led by Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, appears confident. The national conservative power expects to form a government for the third time in a row (the first was in 2015) and secure its system of power. What core issues dominate the political discourse, and what ideas guide the PiS? This analysis examines the party’s chances and sketches various election scenarios – including one that involves an entirely new coalition on the Vistula.

UK Defence and Security Relationships Across Europe

A new interactive map provides a user-friendly overview, highlighting priorities and gaps

„Die Befreiung von deutschen Geiseln im Iran muss Chefsache werden“

Gazelle Sharmahd im Gespräch mit der KAS

Vor zweieinhalb Jahren wurde Jamshid Sharmahd in Dubai vom iranischen Geheimdienst entführt und wegen angeblichen Terrorverdachts zum Tode verurteilt. Seitdem sitzt er ohne Kontakt zu seiner Familie oder einem Anwalt in Isolationshaft. Seine Tochter Gazelle Sharmahd ist nach Berlin gereist, um auf die Lage ihres Vaters aufmerksam zu machen und von der Bundesregierung politische Konsequenzen zu fordern – so auch bei einem Gespräch in der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Advancing Nature Reserve Governance

A Policy Roadmap for Lebanon's Sustainable Future

This document aims to evaluate and enhance the legal framework, community interaction, and governance structure within Lebanon's nature reserves. It provides a thorough roadmap for ensuring a sustainable future for Lebanon while protecting the country's priceless natural resources by outlining existing concerns and offering focused policy solutions. This policy report is based on a comparative examination of global best practices and incorporates insightful comments from numerous parties involved in the management of nature reserves.

Inclusion in the Education Sector

A Look into Malaysia

According to the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, an estimate of one billion people around the world experience some form of disability. Of those, approximately 93 to 150 million of them are children. Over the decades, there have been numerous studies that indicate these children are less likely to go to school than other children and when they do attend school, it is likely to be in a segregated setting. In Malaysia, there have been government initiatives to improve the state of education for learners with disabilities. However, Malaysian advocates of disability rights continue to lament the mismatch between existing policies and practice, and the needs and requirements of the learners with disabilities.

Inside Libya

April 2023

The Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean (PolDiMed) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in cooperation with LIBYA DESK is delighted to continue our monthly reports on Libya for 2023.

Local elections in Lithuania

Success in the capital, loss in the countryside

Local elections were held in Lithuania on March 5, 2023. The final runoff elections were held on March 19, 2023. Sixteen political parties and 32 political committees participated in the voting. Their representatives competed for the 1,498 municipal council seats and 60 mayoral seats. Voter turnout was 48.97 percent, a slight increase. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party emerged as the winner of the local elections. The capital Vilnius was won by the Christian Democrats. Party leader Landsbergis is no longer running for party chairman.

Montenegro's New President

Second chance for Montenegro?

Its new President is facing major challenges both in domestic and foreign policies.

Nigeria's 2023 Elections

The most influential kingmaker wins the presidency

On February 25, 2023 Nigeria elected a new president and national assembly. Gubernatorial and state parliamentary elections were held on March 18. The results let expect rather the continuation of established power and elite politics instead of the change many, especially young voters have been hoping for.

Rule of Law Developments in the Middle East and North Africa

Newsletter No. 1 - April 2023

The regional Rule of Law Programme for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), in cooperation with the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP), proudly presents its quarterly newsletter, "Rule of Law Developments in the Middle East & North Africa". This new series of publications examines key regional rule of law developments of the past few months, shedding light on the complexities of the rule of law and how violations of its core principles can threaten sustainable peace, socio-economic stability and societies as a whole.