Publications

Malawi votes

President, parliament, and communal elections in the world’s poorest democracy

Malawi is part of the decreasing number of African countries which count as stable but imperfect democracies. There is an active electoral contest and the country has prior experience with democratic governmental transitions, which remain possible in the upcoming elections on 16 September 2025. The election is taking place against the backdrop of extreme poverty. The people of Malawi believe that the economic situation has not improved under the current government. The candidates’ and parties’ manifestos are limited in scope and depth, they do not differ drastically from one to the other; many of the candidates are old acquaintances. However, the global geopolitical rivalry, the race for raw materials and rare earths, the growing number of conflicts and the decreasing number of democracies particularly on our neighboring continent all give these elections greater significance than they would have before the war in Ukraine and the inauguration of Trump. 

Reconfiguring OFW Reintegration for the Digital Economy

Adenauer Young Researcher’s Report Volume 3, Issue 3

What does effective OFW reintegration look like in an innovation-driven labor market? Former KAS intern Geneva Dela Torre dives into the future of work and calls for a forward-thinking strategy that can help welcome our returning OFWs home, not just with open arms, but with opportunities in this digital economy.

Female Representation and Participation in Political Leadership Positions

This report provides an overview of female participation and representation in leadership positions within the government in Kenya. In this context, we refer as participation to the active engagement of individuals in political and civic processes, regardless of whether they hold formal leadership positions and representation to the presence of individuals (here, women) in decision-making positions or roles within governance structures.

Albania's Long Road to Justice

The Slow Compensation of Former Political Persecutees

More than three decades after the fall of the communist regime, the legal, political, and societal reckoning with the past in Albania remains an unfinished project. This is particularly evident in the compensation process for former political prisoners and their families. Despite early legislative initiatives, the path towards material redress has been marked by structural shortcomings, financial constraints, and only limited political will. Providing compensation to these victims is not only a matter of historical justice but also a litmus test of Albania’s democratic maturity on its path towards the European Union.

De la brecha a la acción: hacia una arquitectura democrática de ciberseguridad

América Latina necesita una estrategia común de ciberseguridad que equilibre democracia, derechos y seguridad digital.

El crecimiento digital en América Latina ha puesto en evidencia grandes vulnerabilidades en materia de ciberseguridad. Este policy brief propone construir una arquitectura democrática que priorice los derechos humanos, la cooperación regional y la protección frente a amenazas emergentes. Una estrategia conjunta fortalecerá la resiliencia de los Estados y aumentará la confianza ciudadana en el ámbito digital.

Consenso sin democracia: la Alianza que Alimentó la Dictadura en Nicaragua

Artículo de opinión

Autor José Antonio Peraza Analista político nicaragüense y experto en el sistema electoral nicaragüense

Bulgaria’s Water Connectivity

Challenges in the Light of Transport Routes and Water Scarcity

Der Experte Jassen Georgiew hat im Auftrag der KAS eine Studie zur Wasserkonnektivität in Bulgarien geschrieben, die hier in Englisch eingesehen werden kann.

The Franco-German Ministerial Council amid an unpredictable ‘rentrée politique’ in France

How the Franco-German engine is supposed to run without French fuel

On Friday, 29 August 2025, German and French cabinet members gathered in Toulon for the 25th Franco-German Ministerial Council. The meeting was kicked off the evening before with a joint dinner between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron at the latter's summer residence in Fort Brégançon. Since Friedrich Merz took office, Franco-German coordination has gained noticeable momentum, both symbolically and in terms of content. This is an important signal with regard to the numerous challenges both countries are facing. International and European crises such as the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the war in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation in the field of defence are currently shaping relations between Berlin and Paris. The results and announcements of the Council of Ministers have further concretised the coordination of content. At the same time, the meeting comes at a time of political uncertainty in France. The vote of no confidence announced for 8 September, initiated by Prime Minister François Bayrou, will be decisive in determining whether the joint priorities can be implemented in the short and medium term. Time is pressing: forecasts indicate that the political window of opportunity for substantial Franco-German initiatives at the bilateral, European, and international levels could close by the 2027 when French presidential election will take place – but possibly even sooner as a result of early elections.

Appel d'offre selection d'une Agence de voyage

offre valable jusqu'au 15- 09- 2025

Le but de cette consultation est la sélection d’une entreprise fournissant des prestations d'agence de voyages qui puisse apporter à la fondation un service professionnel et une optimisation du coût total des voyages tout en garantissant une qualité de service répondant aux exigences de l’organisation.

Government formation in Lithuania

New power alliance with fragile foundations

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Gintaras Paluckas, there has been a change of coalition in Lithuania: The Democrats (“Vardan Lietuvos”) have left the government and have been replaced by the parliamentary group “Faction of Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union.” The party “Nemuno Aušra” (Dawn of Nemunas) remains controversial, as it remains part of the coalition despite massive protests. The new prime minister is Inga Ruginienė, a trade unionist and political newcomer who is considered by many to be a weak choice. The central strategic goals—defense and European policy—will continue despite the change of government. However, it is questionable whether the coalition will survive the entire legislative period.