Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation” - Security – Innovation – Democracy
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Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation”
Asset Publisher
alphaspirit / smarterpix
Voting motives in the 2025 federal election
Results from representative surveys on reasons for voting and important influencing factors among voters
The results of the federal election merely reflect the actual voting decisions. What remains invisible, however, is the motivation behind voters' decisions to support certain parties. What were the decisive factors? Was it an easy decision for voters, or were there alternative parties? In which political camps did voters switch allegiances, and what factors played a decisive role in the election campaign? The answers are provided by the evaluation of representative data collected before the federal election campaign and after the federal election.
Dominik Hirndorf
December 4, 2025
Monitor
smarterpix / digitalgenetics
Better performance – Less static: Why Germany’s federal administration needs reform
More pooling of resources – fewer federal agencies – and a “Whole-of-Government” ap-proach
Germany’s federal administration employs over 500,000 people in 946 agencies – yet efficiency declines, costs soar, and trust erodes. Root cause: outdated ministerial structures and duplication of tasks. This paper advocates a paradigm shift: pooling HR, IT, and procurement in specialized agencies, consolidating oversight, and reducing redundant authorities. Guided by the coalition agreement and modernization agenda, the proposal champions a “Whole-of-Government” approach to break silos, accelerate decisions, and enable digital transformation – for more efficiency and effectiveness.
Gesprächskreis Staatsmodernisierung der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
December 1, 2025
Monitor
The 2025 Chiang Mai Mayoral Election
Case Studies on Candidates, Campaigning, and Changes in Thailand’s Local Elections and Decentralisation
One key aspect of political decentralisation in Thailand is through local elections. Municipal elections, particularly at the level of city municipalities, are significant and highly competitive. Chiang Mai Municipality holds historical significance as it was the first city municipality in Thailand, established in 1935. Regarding budget, the projected revenue for Chiang Mai Municipality from fiscal years 2023 to 2025 is 1.6 billion, 1.8 billion, and 1.9 billion Baht, respectively. When compared to the provincial budget, in fiscal year 2023, Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organisation had a total revenue of 394 million baht, which is approximately four times less than that of Chiang Mai Municipality (Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organisation, 2022). Given this budgetary significance of Chiang Mai Municipality and the involvement of national politics in local elections, this research implemented by research team at the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration of Chiang Mai University with the support of KAS seeks to examine candidate selection processes, election campaigns, political family influence in Chiang Mai, and voter decision-making factors in the 2025 Chiang Mai mayoral election. This study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of decentralisation in Thailand with Chiang Mai as a case study.
November 27, 2025
Single title
"Christian Democracy - The Third Way"
English Addendum to "Kristillisdemokratia – kolmas tie" (Eds. A. Lyytikäinen & T. Terä; 2025)
This addendum gives an overview and summary of the book Kristillisdemokratia – kolmas tie (2025). The book consists of an introductory chapter followed by three sections dealing with the history, principles, and role of Christian democracy in contemporary Europe, respectively.
Ms. Annika Lyytikäinen, Mr. Tommi Terä
November 21, 2025
Single title
IMAGO / Mike Schmidt
No Alternative: The AfD and Israel
Manifestations, functions, and perceptions of Alternative for Germany (AfD)’s “Israel solidarity” policy
Representatives of Jewish organisations describe the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a ‘party for anti-Semites’. Nevertheless, the AfD has succeeded, especially internationally, in positioning itself as a champion of Israeli interests and a protector of Jewish life in Germany. This positioning contradicts a number of other positions represented in the party and serves several political functions. These include, above all, the legitimization of Islamophobia, attacks on political opponents and the distraction from extremism and antisemitism within its own ranks.
Dr. Andreas Jacobs, Felix Bäuml
November 7, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / Xinhua
Change in Angola?
Between opening and keeping control
50 years after independence and 23 years after the end of a devastating civil war, Angola is faced with a double challenge. A rapidly growing young population is demanding substantial reforms with increasing impatience. Reforms that will improve political and economic ownership. At the same time, the country is at the center of the global competition for raw materials, trade routes and political partnerships.
Anna Hoffmann-Kwanga
November 5, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Anadolu
Presidential election in Ireland continues political tradition
Clear election victory for Catherine Connolly
Left-wing politician Catherine Connolly becomes the tenth president of the Republic of Ireland. In the 2025 Presidential Election, the independent Member of Parliament, whose candidacy was supported by a broad coalition of left-wing parties and movements, won a clear victory with 63.4 percent of the vote against Heather Humphreys, former minister and candidate of the liberal-conservative Fine Gael (FG/EPP) party. She received only 29.5 percent of the vote on a disappointing election day. Jim Gavin, candidate of the right-wing liberal party Fianna Fáil (FF/ALDE), who had already dropped out of the race as the third candidate several weeks before the election, received 7.2 percent of the vote. The high number of invalid votes was striking, having increased tenfold compared to the last Presidential Election, and can be seen as an expression of dissatisfaction with the electoral system and the two remaining candidates.
Kai Gläser
October 29, 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
smarterpix / wasja
Government support for civil society
Time for a fresh start
Since spring 2025, controversy has continued to rage over the political neutrality of civil society organisations and their funding by the public sector. How did the accusation of party political appropriation arise? And how can the state, politicians and civil society return to working together for the common good?
Tobias Montag
October 6, 2025
Monitor
IMAGO / CTK Photo
Czechia before the Election
Stability or Change of Course? Foreign Policy Orientation under Scrutiny
On 3–4 October 2025, Czechia will elect a new Chamber of Deputies. The political landscape is polarized, the security and budgetary challenges are considerable, and populist as well as extremist forces are gaining influence. Yet the country now more than ever needs responsibility and a clear anchoring in Europe.
