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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IMAGO / Xinhua
Consensus amid Chaos
Korean Parliament passes pension reform
On 20 March 2025 the Korean National Assembly passed a pension reform. This historic decision, which was passed by both major parties despite fierce political debate, ushers in a new chapter for the pension system after 18 years. Despite ongoing challenges, the course for solutions in the face of serious demographic developments is set. Above all, it provides a striking contrast to the enormous polarization that otherwise characterizes Korean politics and has led to the current crisis.
Thomas Yoshimura, Yu-Jin Song
March 25, 2025
Country reports
Voter Fluidity in the 2024 National Elections
Prof Carin Runciman and Prof Marcel Paret
The report focuses on two key dynamics that were influential in the 2024 elections, voter fluidity and voter abstention. The report provides a brief methodological note and examines voter trajectories and voter abstention.
March 20, 2025
Single title
Julian Tucker (KAS Regionalprojekt Nordische Länder)
Elections in Greenland
A Clear Signal Towards Independence
Greenlanders have elected a new parliament. The clear winner of the election is the liberal Demokraatit party (Democrats) with its leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen. They won by a surprisingly clear margin against the current left-wing coalition government of Siumut ( Forwards) and Inuit Ataqatigiit (Community of the Inuit). Nielsen's party pursues a conservative tax policy, is considered economically liberal and wants to achieve independence from Denmark in a step-by-step fashion. The second strongest party is the nationalist protest party Naleraq (Point of orientation). It was the only party to call for a swift exit from the Danish kingdom and rapprochement with the USA during the election campaign. The upcoming coalition negotiations could prove difficult in view of foreign policy upheavals. Nielson, former Minister for Industry and Minerals, announced his intention to talk to all parties. A broad-based alliance between Inuit Ataqatigiit, the party of previous Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and possibly with the Siumut party could form a stable government.
Larissa Stünkel, Christine Leuchtenmüller
March 18, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Scanpix
Broken alliance in Estonia
The collapse of the coalition government
On 10 March 2025, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced the reshuffle of the Estonian coalition by dismissing the Social Democratic Party (SDE) from the coalition government. After this decision, the "Reform Party" and "Estonia200" have only a narrow majority with 52 out of 101 seats in the Riigikogu (parliament).
Oliver Morwinsky, Nikoloz Rogava
March 14, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Stock / carolina; generiert mit KI
Break-up of the traffic light coalition without consequences for political opinions
Results from representative trend surveys on political attitudes
Since December 2022, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has conducted short surveys on the political attitudes of Germans twice a year. The most recent survey was launched shortly after the break-up of the traffic light coalition on 6 November 2024. This study uses survey data from 2022 to 2024 to show how the political attitudes of the German population have changed following the end of the traffic light coalition. What is the situation at the end of 2024 in terms of satisfaction with democracy or confidence in the future? Has there been a shift to the right in terms of self-positioning on the left-right scale? What about populism and conspiracy theories?
Dr. Sabine Pokorny
March 11, 2025
Monitor Election and Social Research
Adobe Stock / JFL Photography
Election analysis of the parliamentary elections in Hamburg on 2 March 2025
Report on the preliminary final result, the main determinants as well as voter migration and social structure.
Compared to the Bundestag elections, there are considerable differences in the performance of the parties. Our election analysis provides explanations for these results. Based on the election day surveys and polls in the run-up to the election, the significance of the assessments of top candidates, party competences and political issues for the election result is explained.
Dr. Viola Neu, Dr. Jochen Roose
March 3, 2025
Monitor Election and Social Research
IMAGO / Zoonar
Bundestag election 2025: France hopes for policy change in Germany
The rise of right-wing populists, influence from Russia and the USA as well as policy changes in the area of security and defence are the focus of election reporting.
Germany has voted and until the election day on 23 February 2025, interest in the federal elections in France was rather low. Current domestic political tensions in France, the fragile French government and economic policy challenges pushed the question of a new government and parliamentary majorities in the country's most important European partner into the background. The acceleration of geopolitical challenges in recent days, particularly with regard to American positions expressed at the Munich Security Conference, for example, then led to increased scrutiny of the elections. The prospect of an expected change in policy following the victory of the CDU/CSU with Friedrich Merz in the defence and security policy area was greeted with relief by the French government majority.
Anja Czymmeck, Nele Katharina Wissmann
February 25, 2025
Country reports
Adobe Stock / hanohiki
Analysis of the Bundestag election in Germany on 23 February 2025
Detailed results of the Bundestag election, key determinants of the election outcome, voter migration, and social structure of the electorate.
The CDU/CSU wins the Bundestag election and becomes the strongest parliamentary group. The election analysis explains the result in comparison to the 2021 Bundestag election and looks at voter migration and the main reasons for the election result. Based on the election day polls and surveys in the run-up to the election, the importance of the assessments of top candidates, party competences and political issues for the election result is explained.
Dr. Viola Neu, Dr. Sabine Pokorny
February 24, 2025
Monitor Election and Social Research
Addisou Deresse
From Paralysis to Progress? Who will be the new face of the African Union?
A portrait of the candidates for the chairmanship of the AU Commission
The African heads of state will elect a new leadership on February 15th and 16th. Will the new chairman of the African Union Commission be able to tackle existing challenges that have been paralyzing the efficiency of the Union? Who are the candidates for the most powerful position within the AU and what do they stand for? Martino Faccenda and Lukas Kupfernagel have been taking a look behind the scenes to unpack the candidates and potential implications for the future EU-AU relations.
Lukas Kupfernagel, Martino Faccenda
February 11, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Herrmann Agenturfotografie
Rule of law in South-East Europe: Highlights in 2024
A review of developments in South-East Europe over the past year
In South-East Europe, some countries have made progress in the rule of law over the past year, while others have also experienced setbacks, which illustrates the many challenges in the region. The latest Rule of Law Index from the World Justice Project (WJP), among others, shows a mixed picture: Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Montenegro are characterised by improved scores, particularly in the fight against corruption. North Macedonia also recorded an increase in its overall score, which indicates positive developments in various areas. Croatia and Serbia, on the other hand, saw a decline in their rule of law scores, in particular due to the restriction of fundamental rights and the faltering fight against corruption. On their way into the European Union (EU), the candidate countries showed a commitment to harmonising with EU standards, but persistent problems in the judiciary, difficulties in the fight against corruption and political instability hindered development. The three South-East European EU member states faced similar challenges. Political polarisation, the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and interference in media and press freedom remain a challenge in all South-East European countries.
Dr. Pavel Usvatov, Dr. Mahir Muharemović, Alina Monceanu
