Democracy

Despite the more difficult majorities in society and parliaments, the Greens should not spend too much time licking their wounds. Instead: open the gates and invite people everywhere to get involved in forward-looking politics.

The list of economic policy homework for the new German government is long and urgent. The possibility to form a two-party government of the Christian conservative CDU/CSU and social democratic SPD now needs to be translated into political action – in both Germany and the EU.

The Greens emerge from the election relatively stable despite losses. Formation of the political will within and outside of parties must reorganise itself. Democratic parties must remain able to compromise among themselves in order to fulfil their responsibility for the political order in Germany and beyond.

After 2024, pro-democracy actors are looking for lessons. One key takeaway: political campaigns must shift from data-driven marketing to valuing local organizers’ expertise to rebuild trust, mobilize voters, and counter illiberal threats.

From climate justice at COP29 to the future of the transatlantic relationship under a new president, our 2024 answered questions, raised new ones, and even included a visit from Luisa Neubauer and Helena Marschall. Dive into a whirlwind year!

After the elections in the United States on November 5, we reached out to our global network of Heinrich Böll Foundation offices to hear how the second Trump Administration will impact countries and progress on green issues across the world.

As American voters have become more firmly entrenched in their party affiliations, fewer and fewer states are in contention and the margins of victory are increasingly slim. This year, polls suggest that in the handful of swing states that will determine the race, the winner could be decided by a razor-thin margin. Votes for third party candidates could be enough to tip the election – most likely, in favor of Donald Trump. 

As part of an EU Democracy research project funded by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union office, Sophie Pornschlegel interviewed European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, during the summer break of the European Commission. In their conversation, Vice-President Jourová reflected on five years of efforts to safeguard democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the EU, amid increasing threats against democracy and a shifting geopolitical context, not least due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

Despite local successes in Michigan, national discontent and disaffection has made voters there less engaged with the presidential election in November. Here's why Michigan voters' fatigue with Washington could shape America's future this fall.

Join top journalists and media experts in a crucial discussion on how to report on elections and campaigns amidst rising threats to democracy. Learn strategies to combat misinformation, enhance media diversity, and uphold the integrity of political journalism.