High Demand for IOS Expertise in the Bundestag

The IOS’s expertise generated significant interest—including from several policy experts and prominent members of parliament—at “Leibniz in the Bundestag” 2026. In this established political advisory format, organized by the Leibniz Association, researchers offer members of parliament the opportunity to discuss their research topics. Of the approximately 150 requests for discussions received from across the Leibniz network, ten were directed to the IOS. 

IOS historian Katrin Boeckh spoke with Sascha van Beek (CDU/CSU) on the topic “The Flight and Expulsion of Germans from Eastern Europe: Research, Remembrance, and the Third Generation.” 

IOS Director Ulf Brunnbauer discussed the political situation in Bulgaria and North Macedonia with Dirk Wiese (SPD); other discussion partners were Zada Salihović (Die Linke) and Alexander Wolf (AfD), among others, with the topic of EU integration of the Western Balkans. 

IOS political scientist Fabian Burkhardt received four requests for discussions. He exchanged views with Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU/CSU) on the question “Russia’s Elite and the War Against Ukraine: Is Putin’s Power Shaking?” With Anton Hofreiter (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN), he spoke about domestic political issues in Ukraine—the separation of powers, attitudes toward mobilization and peace agreements, as well as prospects for post-war elections. He also discussed transnational repression by Russia with Norbert Altenkamp (CDU/CSU) and issues of power within Russia’s political system with Kerstin Vieregge (CDU/CSU). 

Ekaterina Paustyan, also from the IOS Politics Department, spoke with Jan-Wilhelm Pohlmann (CDU/CSU) about economic adaptation and military mobilization in Russia’s regions, as well as the Russian elites’ support for the war against Ukraine. She also discussed issues related to mobilization and the elites in Russia with Johannes Volkmann (CDU/CSU).