Germany used to be an anchor of international stability. But that’s changing. The political chaos surrounding Angela Merkel’s attempts to create a new government serve as a warning that the country is not immune to factors that are destabilizing other European countries.
Something strange is happening in the land of boredom. Until last Friday, German politics seemed neat and orderly. The next “grand coalition” (or GroKo) was to be formed — with familiar faces, modest projects, no surprises. The planned third edition of the pact between the conservative Christian Democrats and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) under Angela Merkel’s chancellorship didn’t promise Germany, Europe and the rest of the world much, but at least it seemed to guarantee stability.
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This article has also been published in German.
Henrik Müller is a professor of economic policy journalism at TU Dortmund University.
Merkel probably should have consulted the low income working class Germans who were most affected (mainly in competing for jobs, homes and social services) when she allowed more than 1 million refugees into Germany. Politicians rarely consult the people most affected by an influx of refugees.
This is so true, Stuart. Thanks for pointing this out!