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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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
February 10, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / Agencia Prensa-Independiente
No Clear Winner in Ecuador's Elections
Political Polarization Persists Ahead of Runoff
After the election is before the election – this could describe the political situation in Ecuador after the tight first round of the presidential election. President Daniel Noboa and his left-populist challenger Luisa González will face off once again on April 13, 2025, in an open runoff. In particular, two fundamentally opposing political projects are up for decision, not least in foreign policy. Whereas a Noboa government would further align Ecuador with the west, a victory for Luisa González would mean a strengthened alliance with the region´s left-wing regimes as well as with Russia and China.
Johannes Hügel
February 10, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / NurPhoto
Georgian Knot: Local Repressions and International Isolation
For weeks, Georgia has been caught in a destructive cycle of protests and repression, isolating the country on the international stage.
Even after nearly 70 days of continuous protests, the de facto government of Georgia—controlled by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili—remains unyielding. However, instead of the brutal crackdowns seen at the start of the demonstrations, authorities are now resorting to targeted intimidation and repression against individuals. The cases of Msia Amaghlobeli and Giorgi Gacharia starkly illustrate how the rule of law in Georgia has collapsed in recent months. Internationally, the country is increasingly isolated. Recent diplomatic visits by the new government leadership to neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia highlight that Georgia’s path to Europe remains blocked under the rule of the Georgian Dream party.
Stephan Malerius, Florian Binder
February 5, 2025
Country reports
PantherMedia / daniel0
Mexico: Turbulent start to a landmark year
An overview of current political events
The year 2025 in Mexico began with a series of notable events: In addition to an early first assessment of the new government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who celebrated extensively after just 100 days in office, the highly optimistic economic development plan, Plan México, made headlines. Internationally, the (supposed?) breakthrough in the renewed EU-Mexico Global Agreement surprised observers, before the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington and the hourly announced executive orders regarding migration, trade, and security dominated the political agenda. A considerable noise level at the beginning of the year. It remains to be seen what consequences will arise from this in the coming months.
Hans-Hartwig Blomeier, Maximilian Strobel
January 30, 2025
Country reports
IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
“Election” in Belarus
Ruler Lukashenko Grants Himself Another Five Years
The result of the “presidential election” in Belarus on January 26th, with 86.82 percent for the 70-year-old Lukashenko, who has been in power for 30 years, and 8.83 percent for the four “alternative” candidates, is completely fictitious. Experts assume that Lukashenko might realistically achieve 40-50 percent of the vote due to the country's hopeless situation in Russia's stranglehold and the lack of alternatives. However, this cannot be verified. OSCE observers were not allowed to attend the “election,” and candidates from opposition parties or independent civilian election observers were not even given a chance to stand. The “election” should actually have taken place in July but was brought forward to January 26th during a visit by Lukashenko to Russia in October last year. The active phase of the election campaign thus fell in the coldest month of the year, with many public holidays, which reduced the likelihood of street protests. The slowdown in economic growth by mid-2025 would also have had a more significant impact on the population's prosperity. In the event of peace negotiations in Ukraine after Donald Trump’s inauguration, Lukashenko wanted to legitimize himself early on with a renewed mandate as the real incumbent to participate in these negotiations. Since the protests against the election fraud in 2020 were brutally suppressed, Belarus has been on the path to becoming a totalitarian state, with close ties to Russia and isolated from the West by extensive sanctions.
Gabriele Baumann
January 27, 2025
Country reports
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.
