All publications - Security – Innovation – Democracy
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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 Root cause: outdated ministerial structures and duplication of tasks.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
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Power games at sea
When maritime law erodes: The Baltic Sea, the South China Sea and Europe's security vulnerability
In the wake of global power shifts, the world's oceans are increasingly becoming the focus of authoritarian power politics. Countries such as Russia and China are deliberately undermining maritime law in order to strategically shape maritime spaces, a practice known as “lawfare.” In the Baltic Sea, acts of sabotage reveal Europe's vulnerability, while in the South China Sea, China demonstrates how law becomes a question of power. Both cases illustrate that when maritime law is undermined, Europe's security, capacity to act, and rules-based order are jeopardized.
Lara Müller
November 24, 2025
Facts and Findings
"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 / Depositphotos
Global Health as a Strategic Imperative – Health in the context of security and peace
Speeches by Hermann Gröhe and General Major Dr. Jürgen Meyer at the World Health Summit 2025
Global health is now a strategic imperative: pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, biotechnology, and climate change threaten not only public health but also security and stability worldwide. The speeches delivered at the World Health Summit 2025 analyze how health policy, resilience, and international cooperation can strengthen peace and security – and why investments in health are a central task for the future.
Lukas Lingenthal
November 19, 2025
Monitor
Smarterpix / ArchManStocker
Pragmatically reducing bureaucracy – lowering construction costs
Insights from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Housing Congress ‘City. Country. Living Space?’ – on 16 October 2025
The German housing market is in the midst of a profound structural crisis. A lasting solution can only be achieved through increased housing construction – but high construction costs and complex regulatory requirements are significantly hampering building activity. To solve this problem, there is an urgent need to reduce regulatory complexity.
Dr. Jan Cernicky, Dr. Sarah Al Doyaili-Wangler, Melanie Gerster
November 17, 2025
Facts and Findings
Nordic Unity in Arctic Security
Navigating Tensions and Alliances
In recent decades, the Arctic region has increasingly attracted global interest due to its climatic, economic, and political transformations. The Arctic's strategic relevance has been particularly accentuated amidst rising tensions with Russia, especially post-2022 following its attack on Ukraine. This attention has, in turn, amplified the roles of Nordic countries in regional security dynamics.
The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, exemplifies the momentum towards deeper Nordic integration in security domains. This trajectory was further highlighted by U.S. President Trump's comments in January 2025 regarding the control of Greenland, drawing international scrutiny to Greenland’s strategic importance and the internal dynamics within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Dr. Andreas Østhagen
November 12, 2025
Single title
Roman Baluk / the Collection of war.ukraine.ua
Ukraine Air War Monitor Vol X
Analyses for the Protection of Ukrainian Cities and Infrastructure
The monthly newsletter “Monitor Air War Ukraine” provides in-depth analyses of current waves of attacks and long-term developments in Russia’s air war against Ukraine. It is based on a comprehensive database that has been documenting every recorded airstrike on civilian targets since autumn 2022. The aim is to formulate data-driven recommendations for short- and medium-term support for Ukraine.
The content is intended for political decision-makers, experts in security and military affairs, as well as specialized journalists. The Monitor is published by the Kyiv Dialogue in cooperation with OSINT and data analyst Marcus Welsch and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Маркус Вельш
November 10, 2025
Blickpunkt Ukraine
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Return to stability and pragmatism
President Lee Jae-myung demonstrates diplomatic competency
From 31 October to 1 November, South Korea hosted this year's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, the former capital of its Silla Dynasty. This was Korea's first international, multipolar stage under the new presidency of Lee Jae-myung and thus the first opportunity to polish up Korea's image after it had been severely damaged by former president Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law declaration at the end of last year and his protracted impeachment proceedings that lasted until April 2025. Uncertainty and concerns surrounded the preparations for the event in the country – not least because the real spotlight was on the bilateral meetings on the sidelines of APEC. But avoiding any major divergences with the US or with China, and between the US and China, is Lee Jae-myung's quiet success: a sign of a more stable, pragmatic Korea.
