Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
News
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Greek national elections bring surprising results with shifting political landscape
The Greek national elections on May 21st left the country in awe as the political landscape shifted unexpectedly. The outcome has sparked a significant surprise, with implications for the main opposition party (SYRIZA) and its relevance in the political landscape, since it seems to have lost trust among the voters, raising questions regarding the dynamics of the opposition in general, after the significant rise of PASOK. Greece now finds itself on the path to a second round of elections, which most likely will take place earlier than planned, on June 25th, since no coalition was formed. Does SYRIZA have the reflexes required to shift these results within a month?
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Upcoming Greek elections: What to expect?
On Sunday, the Greeks will elect their new parliament. However, the electoral system makes it difficult to form a government with a majority. The "Greek bonus" used to reward the party with the most votes with 50 extra seats in parliament, which made coalition building superfluous. However, the sovereign debt crisis led to change, new parties emerged and coalition governments became necessary. Prime Minister Mitsotakis, however, is a politician who does not like to share power. After his election, he reintroduced the old system. If no government can be formed after Sunday's election, the old system would be used in a repeat election a few weeks later.
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Stifled Voices: The Plight of Afghan Journalists on World Press Day
Today is International Press Freedom Day. The situation of media freedom has always been a challenge in Afghanistan. But since the Taliban took power in August 2021, it has become even more difficult. All media professionals, especially the women among them, face significant obstacles in Afghanistan when it comes to reporting truthfully and objectively on events in the country. What can be done to better support Afghan media professionals in this difficult time?
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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: "Tyranny is like cancer".
For years, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been fighting for a free Belarus from exile in Lithuania and called for new elections after the rigged presidential elections. In the 17th Berlin Freedom Speech, she made a vehement plea for freedom and human rights and appealed to the international community for solidarity with the Belarusian opposition. For Tsikhanouskaya, it is clear that the fight for freedom is a global struggle that cannot be won alone.
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Meloni firmly holds the reins in Rome
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of the far-right "Brothers of Italy" party has been in office for about six months. The idea that the head of government of Europe's third-largest economy could take the reins of the right-wing populist camp critical of the EU triggered worry lines in much of the EU. But having arrived in the reality of government responsibility, Meloni has so far led her country's political fortunes in a far less confrontational manner than feared. Time for an initial stocktaking.
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New liberal government in Estonia
In the Estonian parliamentary elections held in March, Prime Minister Kallas' liberal Reform Party received 31 percent of the vote and at the same time had a free hand in choosing its coalition partners. After almost five weeks of coalition negotiations, Kallas brought the progressive-centrist Esti 200 party and the social democratic SDE party into her governing alliance. Today the new government takes office. In what situation does the coalition take over the country and what is its vision for the future of the countries political agenda?
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The Foundation for Freedom in Germany and the World
Based on the principles of liberalism, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom offers political education in Germany and abroad. Our headquarter is located in Potsdam, and we maintain offices throughout Germany and in over 60 countries around the world.
With our events and publications, we help people to become actively involved in political affairs. We support talented young students with scholarships.
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Early elections are the best option for Prime Minister Sánchez
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called early parliamentary elections for July 23, responding to the PSOE's electoral debacle in Sunday's regional and local elections. This will also affect Spain's EU Council presidency in the 2nd half of this year, which will now start in the hot election campaign phase. Whether voters will ultimately reward this move will also depend on how quickly the opposition can adjust to the new scenario.
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Historic Rally in Chișinău: Europe is Moldova, Moldova is Europe
"Moldovans are Europeans, and Moldova must become an equal member of the European Union by 2030." With these words, Moldovan President Maia Sandu addressed more than 75,000 people who came to a pro-European rally on Sunday. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, had also arrived, having announced to the crowd already in her speech in Romanian: "I have come to deliver a message: Europe is Moldova, Moldova is Europe".
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Through the glass ceiling - African female journalists fight their way up into leading positions
For one week, a group of female journalists from East Africa worked together on a variety of issues around the topic “women in leadership positions“. During the exchange with German female movers and shakers from media and politics, the African anchorwomen, editors in chief and specialist journalists were able to expand their own network and take home many ideas for their professional work.
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“We are well aware of what it takes to stay.”
Youth in Morocco grow up with an imagination of going to a land elsewhere, seeking greater opportunities, social security, and a sense of freedom. According to the Arab Barometer report, nearly 70% of Moroccans under 30 express a desire to leave the country. However, despite facing numerous challenges, a determined network of Moroccan youth decides to stay and make a change.
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Relentless – a short story collection on Freedom
Discover the captivating and stimulating world of "Relentless", a collection of short stories that explores the complexities and nuances of freedom. With its powerful stories in Arabic and English and diverse narratives, "Relentless" offers an engaging and enlightening reading experience.
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Miracles happen all the time
According to official figures, the devastating earthquake in south-eastern Turkey on 6 February killed almost 50,000 people and destroyed entire regions. But in addition to all the damage and suffering caused by the earthquake, there were also many miracles - such as the rescue of numerous people from the ruins even after almost 300 hours after the earthquake. Another miracle concerns the rapprochement between the eternal enemies Greece and Turkey.
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Thinking about Taiwan
In a global comparison, Taiwan is one of the top countries in the freedom ranking: The island has a free press, a freely debating parliament and the rule of law prevails. But it is precisely these democratic qualities that put the country under strong pressure. Xi Jinping, for example, has sharpened his rhetoric towards Taiwan in recent years, so the possible prospect of an attempted occupation is not so far-fetched. What matters now is that Taiwan develops an intelligent and successful defence strategy to fend off a possible Chinese attack.
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"New Kids on the Block" – Farmer party wins Dutch elections
A new populist party has rocked the political landscape in the Netherlands by winning the provincial elections last Wednesday. The BoerBurgerBeweging (Farmer-Citizen Movement/BBB) won more than one in five votes nationwide, with a campaign that capitalised on rural anger at the current government’s environmental policies. The result will put pressure on the government’s ability to pass legislation, as the provincial elections determine the makeup of the Dutch Senate, and may lead to increased tensions within the four=party governing coalition.
