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Political Dialogue Programme Australia and New Zealand: Tackling the New Challenges for Political Parties and Liberal Democracies in Changing Times

Dr Klaus Schueler, Federal Managing Director of the CDU Germany, and Frank Priess, Deputy Head, Department for European and International Cooperation at KAS Germany, to visit Canberra, Sydney, Wellington and Christchurch. February 2019

These are turbulent times for liberal democracies like Australia and Germany as they face similar political challenges- both internally and externally. Likewise, New Zealand is still adjusting to political changes following the change of power from the National Party to a Labour-New Zealand First-Green coalition.

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Germany’s ruling party, the CDU, is dealing with a leadership change as long-standing Chancelor Angela Merkel announced her decision to withdraw from the party leadership while Europe is gearing up for European elections in May 2019 amidst rising challenges. In Europe, populist movements seem to be on the rise alongside domestic issues affecting many member states – from the Paris Yellow Vest protests to rising identity politics, anti-immigration and nationalist tendencies. Similarly, Australia is preparing for federal elections in May 2019 after last year’s destabilising leadership spill – also in a changing political climate marked by a seeming resurgence of populist and nationalist currents. Internationally, Australia is seeking out discussions with European partners as the geopolitical and security environment is changing. In a timely response to these developments, KAS Australia and the Pacific is organising a poltitical dialogue programme that will bring together Dr Klaus Schueler, Federal Managing Director of the CDU Germany, and Frank Priess, Deputy Head, Department for European and International Cooperation at KAS Germany with Australian and New Zealand politicians, political party representatives, academics and think tank experts. In a series of roundtables, bilateral meetings and discussions taking place in Sydney, Canberra, Christchurch and Wellington, the delegates will engage in exchanges on topics such as populism, European integration as well as the challenges to democracy and the rules-based order in a changing global environment.

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Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy

Dr

Director KAS European Office

beatrice.gorawantschy@kas.de +32 2 66931-51 +32 2 66931-62