2 The German Times March 2018

POLITICS

had made the party’s desire to “come alive BY LUTZ LICHTENBERGER

again” in the role of official opposition even IMAGO/IPON greater. he wait is over. The is After the surprise end to the Jamaica poised to form a new government. talks, the SPD found itself being courted by TPresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier its erstwhile political opponent once again, Just married has formally proposed to the German par- this time with the Christian Democrats liament that once again be appealing to them to keep in mind their elected federal chancellor in a vote sched- “responsibility” to the country. The SPD uled for March 14, 2018. was by no means interested in carrying out In the six months since the federal elec- this “service” to , nor did they wish (again) tion on Sept. 24, 2017, Germany has wit- to enter into yet another loveless marriage nessed many exciting events, including a with the CDU/CSU. It took some strong spectacularly ill-fated attempt to form a words and a strict reminder from President Germany spent almost six months forging so-called “Jamaica” coalition, followed by Frank-Walter Steinmeier – himself an SPD prolonged and problematic negotiations member and former foreign minister in a a new government. Angela Merkel remains between Merkel’s Christian Democratic grand coalition until 2017 – to persuade chancellor, but the excitement has changed Union (CDU) and its former and future them not to frivolously and categorically coalition partner, the Social Democratic refuse the offer. the nation’s politics Party (SPD). The SPD was obliged to ask its Steinmeier also let it be known that he members to vote on whether they should in would not be issuing the endorsement fact form a new with required to call a new federal election. For the CDU, and those members responded their part, the CDU and CSU ruled out the with a subdued yet decisive “yes.” This option of a minority government, arguing paved the way for a new, not so “grand” that Germany could not be an effective coalition made up of the CDU – in concert leader in Germany and Europe without a with its sister party, the Bavarian Christian stable government at home. Social Union (CSU) – and the SPD. Together, Steinmeier’s words had the desired effect the parties would occupy 399 of 709 seats on the SPD, which then began talking with in the Bundestag. the Union, but first and foremost with itself. As compared with 2013, the new grand Eventually, an SPD party congress came coalition has diminished in size. While five back with 56 percent in favor of coalition years ago the CDU/CSU and SPD boasted negotiations. The result of those negotiations 504 of 631 votes, giving them a majority of came quite quickly in the form of a 179-page more than two-thirds, they will now have coalition agreement, a political document only 53.4 percent of votes. whose contents are not legally binding. The Yet these lean numbers do not reflect the deal contains many soft phrases that express entire spectrum of dramas – both big and the parties’ “intent” and “plans” to carry small – that have played out on Germany’s out good and sensible policies, while at the main stage and behind the scenes in the past same time deferring or simply disregarding six months. It has been an extraordinary other pressing issues. time for what is usually a rather orderly state In the realm of foreign relations, the of affairs in German politics. Indeed, the agreement states that Germany’s security country experienced a series of nail-biting policy should become “more independent nights worthy of a storyline on House of and capable of taking action”; that the Cards. defense budget should increase in line with The first breathtaking moment came when expenditures in development aid that the Merkel failed – after several long and tense number of soldiers in Afghanistan should weeks in November 2017 – to form a new exceed the currently mandated limit of 980 Leading women: Angela Merkel is starting her fourth term as chancellor. SPD party head Andrea Nahles will be ally and rival in their party's new grand coalition. government with a “Jamaica” coalition. The soldiers; that the training of Kurdish fight- Caribbean reference comes from the colors ers in northern Iraq should come to an end; of immigrants in the coming years will be countries of origin. So far, so good – at least of weeks, whereby he had had to revise one however, party organizations play a larger of parties that would have matched the and that future foreign policy there should around 180,000 to 220,000 individuals. for business as usual. hasty statement after the other. role in German politics, which means that the black, yellow and green of Jamaica’s flag: be more focused on stabilizing the situation. These numbers are to include war refu- Late that night in February, things finally Nevertheless, Nahles and newly designated position is seen as much more prestigious.) the center-right CDU/CSU, the pro-business The deal also expresses the coalition part- gees, those in temporary need of protection, got exciting when Merkel’s CDU, Horst See- Finance Minister went along Berlin’s political community has read Merkel’s Free Democrats (FDP) and the left-leaning ners’ openness to the euro reforms suggested family members coming to live with indi- hofer’s CSU and Schulz’ SPD began divvying with the deal. Together, Nahles and Scholz decision as a clear indication that she wishes environmental party known as Alliance 90/ by French President Emmanuel Macron, viduals already in Germany and relocated up federal ministries. The SPD demanded constitute the new power center of the SPD, Kramp-Karrenbauer to be her successor. The Greens. Prior to the breakdown of the but fails to make any suggestions of its persons. The numbers would be reduced by three of the most prestigious posts, includ- and the fact that their inner-party rival Also interesting is the rather cautious Jamaica talks, all parties in the Bundestag own. It states that the EU budget should be those individuals forced to return to their ing foreign minister, finance minister and Gabriel would be out of a job suited them manner in which a growing section of had simply assumed that the four parties minister of labor and social affairs. The just fine. However, on the morning after Merkel’s CDU has begun to push for her involved would be able to agree on a govern- Union was unwilling to concede all three the announcement of the ministerial shuffle, departure from the political stage. The ment coalition. However, just before nego- GABRIEL’S POPULARITY to the Social Democrats, at which point the pressure from the regional associations of the chancellor has been in office since 2005, tiations were set to end, the FDP announced entire endeavor began to teeter on the edge SPD grew enormously; only two days later, and her liberal approach to the refugee it was backing out, complaining that Merkel of collapse. The silence coming from both an exasperated Schulz gave in and renounced crisis and Europe’s various financial pre- had not paid them enough consideration, COULDN’T PREVENT HIM sides must have been deafening: “I had no any claim to a ministerial post. This most dicaments has long since ruffled the feath- and retreated hastily in a collective sulk. idea people could be so quiet for so long,” likely marked the end of his political career, ers of many in the conservative wing of They even posted an image on Facebook that FROM LOSING THE OFFICE Seehofer would later remark. less than a year after having been hailed as her party. They blame Merkel for the rise had been prepared days before: “It is better After meetings that lasted well into the wee the savior of the SPD in March 2017. of the far-right populist party known as not to govern than to govern badly,” it read. hours, the CDU/CSU ultimately gave in. To Still, even this abdication – which was Alternative for Germany, which received This was followed by more weeks of OF FOREIGN MINISTER HE placate Seehofer, who had wanted one of the clearly anything but voluntary – did not help 12.6 percent of the vote in last September’s preliminary and exploratory talks between three large ministries for himself, the Interior to pacify the party. The battle for the foreign election. the CDU/CSU – referred to as the “Union” HAD SO VISIBLY EMBRACED Ministry was expanded to include the realms office flared up again; Gabriel is well-liked One of the chancellor’s sharpest critics in parties – and the SPD. After experiencing of building and Heimat (homeland). among Germans in general but valued less the CDU is the ambitious 37-year-old Jens a traumatically low score in the September strengthened, but leaves open exactly how home country, voluntary repatriations and The coveted position of minister of foreign in his own party. Yet his popularity couldn’t Spahn, who hails from the right wing of the election, the Social Democrats had been this should be accomplished. The deal also migrant workers. The highly contentious affairs was reserved by Schulz for himself; prevent him from losing the office he had party and has openly considered himself enthusiastic about becoming the official expresses a desire to make Europe more term “upper limit” does not appear any- this, however, would have catapulted Sigmar so visibly embraced since becoming foreign to be a potential candidate for chancel- opposition. But now, suddenly, they were attractive as a business location, stating where in the deal. Gabriel – the SPD stalwart who currently minister in January 2017. (A decision about lor. Merkel has now designated Spahn to back in demand. In fact, a new grand coali- that all coalition partners are in favor of The coalition agreement sees asylum pro- holds the position – out of the game. Embar- his successor will be made after this paper’s become minister of health, not the most tion between the Union parties and the Social coordinating the taxation of companies in cedures as being carried out at so-called rassingly for Schulz, back in November, not editorial deadline.) coveted post, in her new cabinet. It is highly Democrats was the only conceivable option Europe. The deal contains a fundamental “anchor facilities” – arrival and return cen- only had he attempted to exclude the pos- In the meantime, Chancellor Merkel has likely that as soon as Merkel launches her left on the table. rejection of protectionism, isolationism and ters where all new immigrants would have sibility of a new grand coalition by issuing managed to make a number of course-setting fourth term in office, both Kramp-Karren- However, this was precisely the scenario nationalism; however, it does not foresee a to stay until their identity is established. a resolution in the party presidium; he had personnel decisions, thus placating many bauer and Spahn will have already started the SPD did not want. A renewal of the quick expansion of the EU. According to the deal, the duration of their also said he would never join any cabinet critics in her own party and simultaneously trying to outmaneuver one another into a forced marriage between itself and the In the realm of refugee policy – the most stay should not exceed 18 months, and in under the leadership of Merkel. But now, maneuvering the candidate she wishes to position to succeed her. Merkel has stated powerful Chancellor Merkel – whom they volatile political issue of the day – the coali- the case of families with children, a half- after negotiating with the Union, Schulz succeed her into a strategic position. Merkel her intention of carrying out her full term, blamed for their significant loss in voter tion partners are in agreement on certain year at most. Refugees with good prospects was willing to give up his party presidency designated Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, so if things progress “naturally,” the date of confidence in the previous election – was steps that appear to lead to a cautious restric- of staying would then be able to leave the to Andrea Nahles in return for the position until recently minister-president of Saarland, succession would be as far off as 2021, the seen as a great burden. With tion in the number of refugees. However, the central facilities, although it is not yet clear of foreign minister. However, he lacked a small federal state in southwestern Ger- next elections. However, if there’s one thing as their candidate, the SPD had achieved a agreement states that no changes be made exactly when. The deal also foresees making support in his party on this issue and had many, as the new general secretary of the we’ve learned over the past six months, it’s paltry 20.5 percent of the vote, a decline of in terms of the basic right to asylum. The deportations more efficient and declaring already lost a significant amount of prestige CDU. (The position most closely resembles to let go of any notion of politics as usual more than 5 percentage points. This result document assumes that the total number Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to be safe and credibility in the space of only a couple that of a national party chairman in the US; in Germany.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 IMPRINT CRITICAL Publisher Detlef W. Prinz

Executive Editor PICTURE ALLIANCE / EVENTPRESS Theo Sommer Within the short period of only four months, freedom can be observed not only in Turkey, Editor in Chief Peter H. Koepf two investigative journalists were murdered in Russia, and China, but also in the first member states of the European Union. In October, country to have incorporated freedom of the Editors Lutz Lichtenberger the Maltese reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia press into its constitution: the United States of Jonathan Lutes was torn to shreds by a car bomb. And only a few America.” Art Director days ago, the Slovakian reporter Jan Kucziak and At the same time, Becker made it clear that there Paul M. Kern his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, were shot and are also worrisome developments in Germany. Layout killed. Both journalists had been investigating “Even in our country, journalists from political Johanna Trapp, Gordon Martin ties between politicians in their countries and fringe groups have been defamed and dismissed Advertising organized crime, as well as corruption, bribery as reporting fake news,” she said, hinting at the Janine Kulbrok and tax havens. work of those opposed to democracy within the Publishing House In many countries, journalists risk their freedom to spectrum of right-wing populism and nationalism. Times Media GmbH Tempelhofer Ufer 23-24 pursue their careers. In some cases, they even risk The conclusion Becker reached was explicitly 10963 Berlin their lives. This is not only the case in dictatorships clear: “People attempting to infringe upon Tel.: +49 30 21505-400 or despotic regimes, but also in democratic independent journalism are destroying the very Printed in Berlin by countries where the constitutional state is weak. foundations of our free and democratic society.” Axel Springer SE In her recent speech in Hamburg, the chairperson After all, a democracy is more than a form of Druckhaus Spandau GmbH & Co. KG Brunsbütteler Damm 156–172 of the Funke Mediengruppe supervisory government with certain laws and institutions. 13581 Berlin board, Julia Becker, stressed the importance of Democracies and open societies are founded on The German Times is a registered trade protecting unyieldingly critical and unrelenting the idea that both individuals and communities mark of Times Media GmbH. journalism: “According to Reporters Without have the right to freely choose their way of life, www.times-media.de Borders, 182 professional journalists as well as and this can only be achieved by a combination Press deadline 123 freelance civilian journalists and bloggers of engaged citizens, passionate democrats and March 8, 2018 Julia Becker, head of Funke Mediengruppe, spoke about the importance are currently behind bars. Restrictions on press courageous journalists. of press freedom at the Goldene Kamera awards in Hamburg on Feb. 22, 2018.