Greeks and other southern Europeans could now be feeling schadenfreude as Germany faces the collapse of its economic model in the face of the Ukraine war and the new cold war with China. But with a democratic Europe in the balance, this is no time to gloat. Read More Here
“If the world changes, our politics must change,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock three days after Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And so Berlin changed its politics, announcing defense investments that promise to end decades of Germany lagging behind what allies expected. Read More Here
Germany’s new coalition government is comprised of three very unequal partners. The SPD and the Greens campaigned for massive tax increases for the rich, while the FDP called for tax cuts for all. The result: nothing will change. The SPD and the Greens blocked tax cuts, the FDP blocked tax increases. Read More Here
Germany’s new ruling coalition has advanced a much-needed vision for the country, but realizing it will depend largely on its party leaders’ political skill. If the coalition fails, Germany will risk reverting to its old habit of doing too little too late – an outcome that would jeopardize its position in Europe and the world. […]
It’s pointless to complain when America’s allies ask in so many words, “What have you done for us lately?” To the rest of the world, America looks like a declining power, because it is a declining power. Read More Here
This summer, as the pandemic eases and Europe opens again for business and pleasure, the Merkel era will end. After her 16-year reign as Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel deserves admiration and praise on many counts. Read More Here
For several months, Annalena Baerbock has been the It Girl of German politics. Baerbock, who is the Green Party candidate for chancellor, has been widely touted as a successor to Angela Merkel. Her party has stood roughly at parity with the conservative Christian Democratic Party at about twenty-nine percent in the polls. Read More Here
German voters will be heading to the polls on Sept. 26. With the country’s general election fast approaching, there is every chance that Annalena Baerbock could become Germany’s next chancellor at the end of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s sixteen-year premiership. For several weeks now, Baerbock’s party—the Greens—has been in first place in most opinion polls, ahead […]
It’s a lesson many politicians — mostly male — have learned the hard way over the past 15 years: never underestimate Angela Merkel. The German Chancellor is preparing to step down later this year, having long ago cemented her position as one of the world’s most successful political leaders. In her time in office, she […]
At 7 p.m. local time on Oct. 2, 1990, East Germany’s national anthem was played as the country’s women’s handball team squared off against West Germany. They won 24-20. But at midnight, their country was no more: Germany was reunited. Prior to that event, world leaders had so feared German reunification that it nearly didn’t […]
looking beyond borders 