Brussels Sprouts Germany's New Political Era
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Feb 28, 2025 James Angelos, Germany news editor at POLITICO, and Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, dive into the seismic shifts from Germany's recent parliamentary elections. They discuss the far-right Alternative for Germany's rise and the impact of the previous U.S. administration on transatlantic ties. The conversation explores Germany's evolving foreign policy, increased military support for Ukraine, and the challenge of balancing relations with Russia and China amid changing geopolitics. Insightful perspectives on the future of centrist coalitions are also shared.
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AFD's Paradoxical Rise
- The AFD has become more extreme over time, adopting some banned Nazi-era expressions.
- Despite this, they've gained popularity against an unpopular government and a muddled political center.
The Green's Mainstream Shift
- The Greens, once considered radical, are now a mainstream party.
- They've been in government, demonstrating a shift from their earlier image.
Merz's Shift Towards European Independence
- Friedrich Merz, despite being a transatlanticist, now advocates for greater European independence from the US.
- This shift follows perceived US indifference to Europe under the Trump administration.