Jana Puglierin, head of ECFR's Berlin office, and Piotr Buras, head of ECFR's Warsaw office, offer deep insights into the aftermath of Germany's federal elections. They discuss the potential formation of a coalition government and the implications for European unity. With shifting alliances, how might Franco-German and Polish-German relations evolve? The podcast also critiques Germany's migration policy and explores how a new government could redefine its role in European defense and political dynamics, all while reflecting on the literary themes shaping these discussions.
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insights INSIGHT
German Election Outcome
The conservatives (CDU-CSU) won the German election, but with a weakened mandate below 30%.
A two-and-a-half party coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) is likely, giving the SPD strong negotiating power.
insights INSIGHT
Blocking Minority in Parliament
A blocking minority has emerged in parliament with the strong showing of AfD and Die Linke.
They can block changes to Germany's basic law, especially concerning the debt break and defense budget.
insights INSIGHT
Potential Debt Break Reform
Die Linke's openness to reforming the debt break, coupled with their opposition to increased defense spending, could force a broader debt break reform.
This could unlock opportunities for increased investment in infrastructure and other areas.
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This book examines the evolution of authoritarian rule in the 21st century, introducing the concept of 'spin dictators' who use media manipulation, disinformation, and democratic facades to control their populations. Unlike the fear-based dictatorships of the past, these modern autocrats, such as Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Viktor Orbán, focus on gaining popular support through subtle and covert methods. The authors discuss how these leaders cultivate an image of competence, conceal censorship, and use democratic institutions to undermine democracy, all while engaging internationally for financial and reputational benefits. The book also explores the differences between these spin dictators and the remaining fear dictators, as well as their interactions with democratic populists like Donald Trump.
Confidence Man
The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America
Maggie Haberman
Confidence Man is a comprehensive and detailed biography that explores Donald Trump's life, from his early days in Queens to his presidency and beyond. The book, written by Maggie Haberman, is based on extensive interviews with hundreds of sources, including Trump himself. It delves into the transactional relationships that shaped Trump's career, including those with significant figures like Roy Cohn, George Steinbrenner, and Rudy Giuliani. Haberman's work provides a nuanced portrait of Trump, highlighting his complexities, contradictions, and the broader societal context that enabled his rise to power. The book is praised for its meticulous reporting and its contribution to understanding one of the most consequential eras in American political history.
Worte, die die Welt beherrschen
Was die Phrasen der Außenpolitik wirklich bedeuten
Jörg Lau
Brothers and Ghosts
Brothers and Ghosts
Daryl Lindsey
Charles Hawley
Khuê Pham
The final episode of Searching for Deutschland—a special crossover with the World in 30 Minutes—sees experts from Berlin, London, Paris and Warsaw break down the result of Germany’s federal election and discuss what comes next. Coalition negotiations are underway; Germany's shifting political dynamics will shape the country's future while carrying significant implications for Europe.
This week Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe, ECFR editorial director and senior policy fellow; Jana Puglierin, ECFR’s Berlin office head and senior policy fellow; Marie Dumoulin, director of ECFR’s Wider Europe programme; and Piotr Buras, ECFR’s Warsaw office head and senior policy fellow, to discuss the results of Germany’s federal election. What kind of coalition is likely to emerge, and how stable will it be? How are Paris and Warsaw receiving the election result? Could Germany’s change in government lead to a closer Franco-German and Polish-German relationship? And what does the likelihood of Friedrich Merz as the next chancellor mean for the future of transatlantic ties?
Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes 
