DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics
Power shift in Germany: Who are the new political players?
May 2, 2025
In this discussion, Johannes Winkel, leader of the CDU's Junge Union Youth Organization, shares insights on the new political landscape in Germany. He advises Friedrich Merz on engaging the younger generation within the party. The conversation highlights surprising cabinet appointments, particularly Foreign Minister Johann Waderfuhr and Economy Minister Katharina Reiche. Winkel also addresses demographic shifts impacting political representation, emphasizing the need for youth voices amid rising far-right sentiment and the challenges of supporting Ukraine.
33:48
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Quick takeaways
- Johann Waderfuhr's appointment as foreign minister signals a shift towards greater coordination in Germany's foreign policy under Merz's leadership.
- Friedrich Merz's unconventional choice of Katharina Reiche as economy minister aims to bring innovative ideas from the business sector into traditional politics.
Deep dives
New Foreign Minister and Leadership Dynamics
The appointment of Johann Waderfuhr as Germany's new foreign minister signals a significant shift in the leadership dynamics within the government. As a close ally of Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz, Waderfuhr's position enables a remarkable level of coordination between the foreign ministry and the Chancellery, which has not been seen in decades. This strategic alignment is expected to enhance Germany's role and voice on the European stage, suggesting a more assertive foreign policy approach under Merz's leadership. Furthermore, the political director moving into the Chancellery as chief foreign policy advisor indicates that much of Germany's foreign policy will be centralized in this office.
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