Publications

Austria's political centre under pressure

The coalition of the last chance

After the longest government formation in the history of the Second Republic, Austria now has a new federal government. The process, which lasted more than five months, was characterized by two major ruptures: First, the negotiations for the so-called Zuckerl coalition of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats (SPÖ) and liberal NEOS failed. This led to the resignation of ÖVP leader and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the beginning of 2025. The subsequent coalition negotiations with the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) led by its future chancellor Herbert Kickl were therefore led by the previous Secretary General and interim party chairman of the ÖVP, Christian Stocker. These negotiations also failed, so that the party returned to the beginning and - this time doomed to success, so to speak - managed to form a coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS after all. The more than 200-page program of the government led by Christian Stocker as Federal Chancellor is entitled “Doing the right thing now. For Austria”. It could be the last chance for the political center to prevent FPÖ chairman Kickl from becoming the next Chancellor.

Budget policy at a crossroads: How sustainable is Ruto's budget plan?

Will President Ruto's budget plan for 2025 ensure stability and avoid renewed protests?

The Kenyan government faces the challenge of ensuring economic stability and social justice through its 2025 budget. Tax increases and the associated rise in the cost of living, as well as rising debt, are putting a strain on the population and the economy. At the same time, investments in infrastructure, education and health are intended to promote growth, but it remains questionable whether these measures will be sufficient to reduce social inequalities. Another hurdle is corruption and economic mismanagement in the public sector. Inefficient allocation of funds and a lack of transparency in major projects undermine trust in the government. The burden of the high cost of living has already led to protest movements in the past. This paper analyses whether the planned reforms could lead to renewed nationwide unrest or whether they are the cornerstone of economic recovery.

Mali conflict

Mauritania becomes a refuge and main transit country to the European Union

The European Union is seeing a decline in migration from North Africa via the central Mediterranean, as smugglers are increasingly using the Atlantic route from Mauritania to the Canary Islands. At the same time, the Sahel region is increasingly becoming a refuge for Malians fleeing offensives by Russian mercenaries against jihadists. There is now the threat of a lot of social explosives, as the United Nations is having to significantly reduce aid for Malian refugees due to the Trump administration's cutbacks.

Umweltbroschüre: Klimawandel und erneuerbare Energien

Broschüre zum KAS College for Environmental Journalism

Um professionellen Journalismus als Beitrag zu einer humanen und offenen Gesellschaft zu entwickeln, führt die Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung lang- und kurzfristige Journalistenprogramme durch und präsentiert Ihnen diese Broschüre, die das Ergebnis des KAS-Programms „Umweltjournalismus“ 2024 ist. Wir bedanken uns herzlich bei den renommierten Dozierenden und Teilnehmenden, die Beiträge für die Broschüre eingereicht haben, für ihren Beitrag zur Erreichung der Programmziele.

Die Bedeutung des WHO-Pandemieabkommens für wirtschaftliche Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz in Deutschland

Internationale Gesundheitspolitik ist längst zu einer Frage strategischer Weitsicht geworden. Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat verdeutlicht, wie fragil selbst hochentwickelte Gesundheits- und Wirtschaftssysteme sind – und wie sehr sie auf verlässliche internationale Kooperation angewiesen bleiben. Ein WHO-Pandemieabkommen bietet die Chance, zukünftige Krisen koordinierter zu bewältigen, globale Lieferketten zu stabilisieren und Investitionsanreize für Forschung und Innovation zu setzen. Deutschland steht an einem entscheidenden Punkt: Ein Abkommen kann die eigene Sicherheit stärken, wirtschaftliche Risiken minimieren und multilaterale Strukturen festigen. Der Moment, sich entschlossen für eine tragfähige Lösung einzusetzen, ist jetzt.

Finland’s Response to Hybrid Threats in the Baltic Sea

Resilience through Comprehensive Security?

Finland’s decision to join the NATO alliance after decades of military neutrality in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has significantly acerbated relations with its Eastern Neighbour. The latest National Risk Assessment by the Finnish government emphasizes the dangers of hybrid threats, which could challenge Finland’s security environment. Its land border of more than 1,300 kilometres with Russia renders Finland particularly susceptible to Russian hybrid operations. Hybrid threats can take manifold shape, such as cyberattacks, disinformation, instrumentalized migration, or sabotage acts against critical infrastructure, including subsea electricity or data cables.

Lessons from China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Strategic Pathways for the EU’s Global Gateway

Jacob Mardell

Over a decade since its launch, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains widely misunderstood. This report cuts through the noise: the BRI is less a grand strategy, more a decentralised, narrative-driven vehicle for advancing Chinese interests. The report asks what the EU can learn—and what it should avoid—as it shapes its own Global Gateway.

Two years of civil war in Sudan

The latest developments in the crisis region

At the end of March, Sudanese media reported that the presidential palace in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, had been retaken by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The palace, which also serves as the seat of government, had been occupied by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, along with other parts of the capital. The recapture marks a major milestone for the Sudanese army in the ongoing conflict. Several ministry buildings and much of the capital are also back under SAF military control. However, an end to the war is not yet in sight, as RSF rebels still control several strategic areas of the country and fighting continues in other regions. Fighting continues particularly in Western Darfur. An end to the war is a long way off, as various local and international political initiatives remain unsuccessful. In the meantime, the people of Sudan are suffering one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.

Warning! Democracy collapsing!

How do we combat the democratic regression in Romania in the long term?

Anthology - Country reports with a difference

International comparison of accessibility

This publication provides research, compiled by some of our overseas offices, on the current situation of political participation for people with disabilities, in their respective countries. We hope that their reports will increase awareness of the sadly often persistent inequalities that remain and motivate all of us to pay greater heed to the issue of inclusion.