Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation” - Security – Innovation – Democracy
Asset Publisher
Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation”
Asset Publisher
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
South Africa's new government of national unity: progress or stagnation for the country?
An analysis of the first coalition in South Africa in almost thirty years
On 29 May 2024 historic elections took place in South Africa. The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa’s former first democratically elected president Mandela, lost its absolute majority – for the first time since the end of apartheid thirty years ago. A coalition government had to be formed – a very unusual step in a country used to a previously dominating ANC. So how did the “Government of National Unity” come about and how can its work be judged until now? Is it functioning well or are the risks to this 10-party-coalition too great for the challenges facing the rainbow nation?
Gregor Jaecke, Dr. Christoph Wiedenroth
December 16, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto
Government Formation in Lithuania
New Leadership Under Challenging Circumstances
After the parliamentary elections in Lithuania on October 13, forming a stable governing coalition turned out to be challenging. The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) broke two of its campaign promises immediately after the elections, drawing significant criticism both domestically and internationally. The process of forming the cabinet was also fraught with difficulties. President Nausėda, through his increased involvement, has notably expanded his influence.
Oliver Morwinsky, Fausta Šimaitytė, Robert Kimmerling
December 16, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / foto2press
Between scandals, election successes and court judgements – the AfD in 2024
A retrospective of key developments such as the the European elections, the party convention in Essen and the state elections in Eastern Germany
For the Alternative for Germany (AfD), 2024 brought success at the ballot box on the one hand, but also new challenges at state, federal and European level on the other. Recurring scandals, right-wing extremist tendencies and legal disputes surrounding the AfD are striking. The categorisation of the party or its branches by the various domestic intelligence services has been confirmed by the courts on several occasions and over 100 members of the Bundestag have filed an application for the Federal Constitutional Court to initiate proceedings to determine whether the party is unconstitutional.
Tim B. Peters
December 13, 2024
Single title
IMAGO / ZUMA Press
The U.S. Elections and the End of Comfort for the Canadian Government
Just a few weeks before taking over the G7 presidency, the election campaign in Canada is already well underway
The presidential elections in the U.S. have triggered an unexpectedly hectic activity in Canadian government policy. For Justin Trudeau's minority government, which was almost written off, new opportunities have emerged—at least in the short term—to demonstrate its ability to act in challenging times. Just a few weeks before taking over the G7 presidency, the election campaign in Canada is already well underway. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, continue to lead decisively in all polls.
Dr. Bernd Althusmann
December 12, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Xinhua
Ghana has a "new old" president
John Mahama and the NDC emerge as the clear winners of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections
This year's General elections in Ghana were a success for democracy: the West African country managed to hold fair, free and peaceful elections on Saturday. Even though the last constituencies are still counting votes, the winner is already clear: John Mahama (NDC) was elected the “new old” president of Ghana by a clear margin. The current ruling party, the NPP, on the other hand, received one of its worst election results to date with just 41.61% of the vote.
Anna Wasserfall
December 12, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Russian Look
Presidential elections annulled after hybrid attack
Romania is fighting for democracy on two fronts
Romania is fighting for democracy on two fronts. Firstly, against Russia's hybrid attack on the integrity of the presidential elections. And then on the familiar front against the system of clientelism and corruption, which is supported by forces that continue to prolong the power of the former communist elite. It does not help to ignore one problem in favour of the other. Romania needs a fundamentally different relationship between its institutions, politicians and citizens if it is to become a strong and resilient democracy.
Katja Christina Plate
December 11, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / MAXPPP
Georgia on the barricades
Since the government announced that Georgia would suspend its EU rapprochement, tens of thousands have been protesting across the country every evening.
Less than a month after the controversial parliamentary elections in Georgia, the old and new head of government Irakli Kobakhidze surprisingly declared that the government led by the Georgian Dream party had decided not to endeavour to enter into EU accession negotiations until 2028 and not to accept any further EU payments. This was preceded by a strong resolution by the European Parliament, in which the parliamentary elections of 26 October were described as not free and fair and the Georgian Dream was held responsible for massive democratic setbacks in Georgia. Since then, there have been massive protests every night in numerous cities. The police responds with brutal violence, the demonstrators respond with fireworks. Hundreds of people have been arrested. The fronts have hardened.
Stephan Malerius, Florian Binder
December 9, 2024
Country reports
PantherMedia / sibgat
Political Attitudes towards Climate Protection, Migration and the Welfare State
Growing Differences between Voter Groups – Results from Representative Surveys on Political Positions among the German Population
Representative results on political attitudes show how social positions on immigration, climate protection and the welfare state have changed. Has the political climate of opinion shifted? How strong are the polarisation tendencies in German society? Does an increased AfD electorate now represent more moderate positions on average? Exciting developments can be observed with regard to party supporters, which could shape current voting behaviour.
Dominik Hirndorf
December 6, 2024
Monitor
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS
Government overthrow in France
Germany's closest partner in the crisis
The vote on the 2025 budget proved to be a stumbling block for Michel Barnier's government. With 331 out of 577 votes (289 were required), the Barnier government was overthrown by a motion of no confidence from the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP), which was supported by the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN). Prime Minister Barnier had tried until the very end, including in a television interview the evening before, to convince politicians and compatriots that the fall of the government would plunge France into chaos. With the end of the government, France is facing a seemingly insurmountable stalemate that could have lasting consequences for France and Europe against the backdrop of high national debt.
Anja Czymmeck, Max Willem Fricke, Nele Katharina Wissmann
December 6, 2024
Country reports
IMAGO / Le Pictorium
The EU and its global partners in a new legislative period
Leveraging its power or struggling to deliver?
When it comes to the relations with its global partners, the re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has formulated high ambitions: the goal is to “leverage” the EU’s “power and partnerships”. When in 2019 she dubbed her first commission as a “geopolitical” one, this appeared as a bold and – for some – controversial choice of words. With two major conflicts in the EU’s immediate neighborhood and an increasingly fragile global environment, strengthening ties with global partners seems no longer to be a choice, but a vital necessity of the EU. While the EU is only at the very beginning of the new legislative period, policy guidelines, hearings, interviews and not least the new setup of Commission, Parliament and Council allow an idea about the future priorities and strategies from Brussels towards the world. While a complete turnaround of the EU’s strategy with its global partners seems unlikely, some shifts are to be expected: more (interest-driven) pragmatism, more prioritization and an attempt to forge more equal partnerships.
Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Jonas Nitschke, Louis Bout, Nicole Linsenbold
