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German Electioncast! (The Lookahead)
Feb 20, 2025
In this engaging discussion, BBC Europe editor Katya Adler analyzes the upcoming German elections, highlighting the potential rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), especially among young voters. Katja Hoyer, a historian, provides historical context on Germany's immigration debate and recent political shifts. Mark Urban assesses the latest developments in US-Ukraine relations, including the significance of a cancelled press conference between President Zelensky and US Envoy Keith Kellogg, amidst rising diplomatic tensions.
31:59
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Quick takeaways
- Germany's upcoming elections are complicated by coalition politics, immigration debates, and the rise of the far-right AFD party.
- Friedrich Merz's potential chancellorship signals a conservative shift, impacting domestic policies and Germany's role within the EU.
Deep dives
Understanding the German Electoral System
Germany's upcoming elections highlight the complexities of its federal electoral system, as the country prepares to vote for a new government. Given the tradition of coalition politics, even if the votes are cast on the designated day, the formal establishment of a new government may take weeks, if not months. This intricacy is compounded by the necessity for parties to secure at least 5% of the votes to enter parliament, impacting the dynamics of coalition formation. The recent collapse of the outgoing government was attributed to a contentious 'debt brake' limiting government borrowing, which has left infrastructure issues unresolved, revealing underlying dissatisfaction among the electorate.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode