Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation” - Security – Innovation – Democracy
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Publications on the topic of “Democracy needs Participation”
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Adobe Stock/Sergey Ilin
Will QUAD change the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific?
Diplomatic dialogue and practical cooperation on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India is a flexible cooperative forum that responds to growing geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific. With initiatives in areas such as maritime security, technology and climate change, QUAD aims to promote a rules-based order and counter China's influence. Through close cooperation between the four democracies, QUAD could have a lasting impact on the region's security architecture.
Jan Senkyr
January 16, 2025
Facts and Findings
IMAGO / Newscom World
The Team for “America First”
Trump Relies on Experienced Foreign Policy Experts and Loyal Ideologues
Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President is highly anticipated around the world. His announcements are expected to have a global impact: mass expulsions, territorial claims, intensified confrontation with China, and a possible withdrawal from multilateral organizations. But who are the experienced foreign policy experts and loyal ideologues the 47th US President will rely on to help implement his plans? We take a look at his closest advisors on foreign, security, and economic policy.
Dr. Hardy Ostry, Jan Bösche
January 16, 2025
Country reports
Rights, Representation and Reform: The Political Struggles of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia
Country Report with a Difference: Malaysia
The report highlights the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Malaysia’s political sphere. Despite making up 15% of the population, persons with disabilities encounter barriers such as inaccessible polling stations, a lack of braille ballots and sign language interpreters, and insufficient representation. Since 2007, only four senators with disabilities have been appointed to the 70-seat Dewan Negara. This representation (or lack thereof) remains inadequate for such a significant demographic.
Although Malaysia has ratified the CRPD and enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, enforcement remains weak. The ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 provides a framework for inclusion, but more progress is needed. As Malaysia chairs ASEAN in 2025, it must lead efforts to ensure full political inclusion for persons with disabilities.
As a young and developing democracy, Malaysia has the potential to lead the region in inclusivity, demonstrating that every voice—regardless of ability—counts in building a just and equitable society.
Idzaid Idros
January 15, 2025
Country reports with a difference
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
A new president for Lebanon in crisis
After more than two years of deadlock, the office of president has been filled again. The first step on a long road to state renewal?
Lebanon has a new president. With 99 out of 128 votes, Joseph Aoun, the former military commander-in-chief of the Lebanese army (LAF), was elected as the country's 14th president by the Lebanese parliament on 9 January. This was preceded by intensive international mediation efforts, diplomatic pressure and internal Lebanese debates on how and with whom the two-year-long vacancy in the presidential palace could be ended.
Michael Bauer
January 10, 2025
Country reports
Call for Paper: Women in ASEAN Economies
Women in ASEAN: The Impact of Women’s Inclusion in Policymaking and the Cost of Women’s Exclusion in Economies
What are the impacts of inclusive policymaking and what are the costs of exclusion?
January 9, 2025
Single title
Maximilian Gödecke
Iris Wolff ist Literaturpreisträgerin der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung 2025
„Lichtblicke in die Zeitgeschichte“
„Iris Wolffs Romane sind Lichtblicke in die Zeitgeschichte und ein wegweisender Beitrag zur europäischen Erinnerungskultur“, sagte Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert in Berlin.
January 8, 2025
Press Releases
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.
