Country Reports

“The All-New Kazakhstan”: Reforming the Reform

Constitutional and Parliamentary Reforms in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is facing its second major reform package of this decade. Reactions have been mixed.

South Africa’s Path to Inclusion: Successes and Limitations

Inclusion worldwide – current status in South Africa

South Africa is at a crucial point in its inclusive development. Despite legal progress and growing political attention, around 5 per cent of the population continues to face barriers to education, employment and participation. At the same time, developments such as the recognition of South African Sign Language and international sporting successes demonstrate the potential that arises when barriers are actively broken down. Dialogue formats and practice-oriented approaches have proven to be effective. However, ensuring the equal participation of people with disabilities requires the continuous commitment of all social actors.

Spillover into the South Caucasus?

What further escalation in the Iran war could mean for Armenia and Azerbaijan

The US-Israeli attack on Iran also exacerbates (geo-)political risks for the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan has been particularly exposed to drone attacks, and Armenia could face consequences like an influx of refugees, economic uncertainties, and threats to energy infrastructure. Europe must be ready to act, as an escalation would intensify rivalries, threaten partners, and directly affect our energy and security interests.

Congo-Brazzaville: Before the election remains after the election

The 2026 presidential elections in the Republic of Congo under the shadow of systemic competition

The Republic of Congo is exploiting the systemic competition between the EU, China and Russia to maximise its scope for action in terms of financing, infrastructure and security. While the EU remains a natural partner on environmental and transformation issues, deficits in the rule of law, accountability and electoral integrity limit the depth of cooperation. China is rapidly delivering large-scale infrastructure in exchange for resource commitments; Russia fills normative gaps with a discourse of sovereignty and non-interference and anchors energy and security policy agreements. No politically transformative results are to be expected from the 2026 presidential elections; rather, the strategic relevance lies in the continuation of an authoritarian-stabilised order that presents itself as a guarantor of peace and development. In this constellation, the focus for European actors is shifting from short-term election observation to medium- and long-term levers: green industrialisation, critical raw materials and logistics corridors, governance safeguards, youth-centred employment and a realistically calibrated mix of principledness and pragmatism.

General Election in Nepal

How GenZ changes the country’s political landscape

Nepal’s early general election on March 5, 2026, marked one of the most significant shifts in the country’s political landscape since the adoption of the 2015 Constitution.[1] The election followed a period of intense political instability triggered by the youth-led GenZ protests of September 2025, which ultimately led to the resignation of the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.[2]

Columbia elects a fragmented parliament

Strong Results for the Government Camp and “Uribismo” Reshuffle the Deck for the Presidential Election

The parliamentary elections in Colombia have reshaped the political landscape. Unclear majorities characterize the new Congress. Colombians were also called upon to select candidates for the presidential elections through primaries. Here, the center‑right camp gained new momentum thanks to the unexpectedly strong performance of Paloma Valencia. Yet behind the election results lies much more: a country caught between demands for reform, security crises, and growing mistrust in institutions.

War in the Middle East

How countries in the region are responding to the escalation between Israel and the U.S. with Iran

The American-Israeli attack on Iran and the massive backlash have plunged the entire region into a renewed state of emergency. From Israel to North Africa to the Gulf, governments are taking sides, societies are divided, and diplomatic tensions are growing. This report, from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's offices in the Middle East and North Africa, provides an overview of the political lines, security risks, and regional dynamics.

Mexico after the blow against "El Mencho": Security situation, World Cup risks and trade prospects

In February 2026, Mexican armed forces succeed in arresting and eliminating Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ("El Mencho"), the leader of the country's most powerful cartel. This is immediately followed by coordinated acts of retaliation and demonstrations of power: roadblocks, arson attacks and armed clashes between security forces and cartel members, claiming around 60 lives. Mexico's precarious security situation is thus temporarily back in the international spotlight. The government is striving to restore stability quickly, not least with a view to the upcoming 2026 World Cup. A sustained escalation would further fuel the debate that has already arisen about possible venue changes. At the same time, the operation strengthens the Mexican government's position vis-à-vis the United States. The elimination of a globally wanted cartel leader is intended to demonstrate Mexico's ability to act in terms of security policy and to refute arguments for US intervention. With a view to the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (T-MEC), this is of considerable importance, as the T-MEC remains Mexico's economic lifeline. The outlook for German and European companies in Mexico in 2026 is generally positive, mainly due to the planned modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement. Although the violence is increasing uncertainty in the short term, a renewed nationwide escalation is considered unlikely. If the operation strengthens Mexico's position in the T-MEC negotiations, this would be advantageous for German and European companies based in Mexico.

New (minority) government in the Netherlands

Compromise becomes a key issue

On February 23, 2026, the Netherlands will have a new government led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The minority government, consisting of the liberal-progressive Democraten 66 (D66), the right-wing liberal Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Christen-Democratisch Appèl (CDA), was sworn in by King Willem-Alexander 117 days after the election. With its coalition agreement “Aan de slag” (“Let's get to work”) , a clearly structured work program, the new government has set itself ambitious goals: domestically, it is reform-oriented and willing to invest in the economy and defense; foreign policy-wise, it is clearly pro-European. Now the “Jetten Cabinet” must prove that it can win majorities for its plans even without its own parliamentary majority in politically polarized times. The Netherlands does not have much experience with minority governments, but the “experiment” at least offers the chance to overcome the political paralysis left behind by right-wing populist Geert Wilders with parties from the political center and to tackle the pressing domestic and foreign policy challenges.

Czechia's defense and Ukraine policy under the new Babiš government – a first impression

From expansion to stagnation

The security policy environment in which the Czech Republic has found itself since Russia's war against Ukraine has led to a change in defense planning in recent years. Under Petr Fiala's (ODS) government, Czechia was prepared to gradually increase defense spending and left no doubt about its support for Ukraine. However, the new coalition government of Andrej Babiš, formed by the populist ANO party, the right-wing extremist anti-system SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) party, and the populist-conservative Motorists' Party, is charting a new course in many areas.