Over Here, Over There

I, Claudia: Germany's 2025 Elections, The Lights Are Flashing Red

• Dan Harris and Claudia Koestler • Season 3 • Episode 15

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Summary

In this episode of Over Here, Over There, Claudia Koestler discusses the upcoming snap election in Germany, set for February 23, 2025. Claudia explores the potential political shifts, key players, and the implications for Europe and the global stage. The conversation highlights the significance of this election in shaping Germany's future, particularly in terms of economic policies, European security, and climate change. Claudia emphasizes staying informed about the election's outcomes and far-reaching consequences.

Takeaways

  • The German snap election is a potential game changer
  • Friedrich Merz and the CDU are leading the polls
  • The far-right AfD could double their seats in parliament
  • The SPD and Green Party are struggling to maintain relevance
  • Germany's role in European defense is critical with NATO's leadership vacuum
  • The election could shift Germany's stance on Ukraine and Russia
  • Germany's economic policies will impact global markets
  • Climate policy could change significantly depending on election outcomes
  • Coalition building will be crucial in Germany's multi-party system
  • The election is expected to be the most digital in German history


Please monitor the German election 2025 and add your comments below on how you see its impact on your country and the world. Please don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on social media for more election coverage.

#germanelection #germanelection2025 #Germany #Europe #EU #CDU #TheGreens #Scholz #SPD #ClaudiaKoestler #DanHarris #OverHereOverThere #podcast #snap election #politicallandscape #internationalrelations  #Europeansecurity economic #climate change #coalitionpolitics #radiobroadcastindustry


Dan Harris (00:02)

You're in the right place. Hello, I'm Dan Harris. 

Claudia Koestler

Hi, and I'm Claudia Koestler. 

Dan Harris

You're Over Here, Over There. Welcome to Over Here, Over There, a global conversation about how we see others and how others see us. I'm Dan Harris. I'm going to hand this over to my podcast colleague, Claudia Koestler, Senior Editor at the Süddeutsche Zeitung in Germany, who will tell us in a moment what's on her mind this week. But first, as a reminder, you can follow us on social media and contact us via our website at overhereoverthere.org. We'd love to hear from you. And please don't forget to subscribe and tell everyone about the podcast. And now without further ado, over to Claudia. 

Claudia Koestler

Hey, welcome back. I'm Claudia from Over Here, Over There. And today I'm gonna do a little bit of an impromptu monologue of mine because time is of the essence with the topic. Well, what's going on, you ask? There is something about to rock the European political landscape and probably also the global political landscape. And this is why you should turn your attention to Germany. On February the 23rd, 2025, Germans will cast their votes in a snap election that got journalists analysts and politicians buzzing and world leaders probably on the edge of their seats. Trust me, this isn't just going to be another run-of-the-mill election. It's a potential game-changer. So let's break it down. What's at stake and who are the players? Well, first up, we've got Friedrich Merz and the Christian Democratic Union, short CDU. They are leading the polls at the moment. Merz, known for his conservative economic policies and tough stance on immigration, is promising a return to Germany's traditional values. But here's where it gets spicy. The far-right party, Alternative for Germany or short AfD, is currently searching in popularity and they could double their seats in parliament according to the polls. This could mark a seismic shift in German politics pushing the entire spectrum further to the right. On the middle to the left, we've got the Social Democratic Party, or short SPD, and the current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and also the Green Party. They're both struggling to maintain their relevance in a rapidly changing political landscape. And their challenge is convincing voters that they can tackle Germany's economic woes while maintaining a progressive agenda.
 
So, what are the global implications of all this? Let's zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Why should you care if you're somewhere out in the world? Like you're sitting in New York, you're sitting in Tokyo, you're sitting in Sydney, Honolulu, Manaus, someplace nice, and you're minding your own business. Why does it matter to you? There is European security. With Donald Trump back in the White House and his skepticism toward NATO, Germany's role in European defense has never been more critical. The next chancellor will have to navigate this very tricky terrain and potentially step up to fill the leadership vacuum in NATO. So there is also Russia and Ukraine. Germany's stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could shift dramatically depending on who wins in this German election. Will they continue to support the Ukraine?
 
Or will we see a pivot towards a more conciliatory approach with Russia? And then there are the economic ripple effects. Germany is Europe's largest economy and it's been stumbling for a couple of years now straight. High energy costs, fierce competition from China, and a struggling manufacturing sector have put Germany in a tight spot. The new government's economic policies could have far-reaching effects on global markets and trade relationships. And let's not forget climate policy. With the Greens potentially in the mix or falling out of the mix, Germany's approach to climate change could see a significant change. This could influence global climate negotiations and set either new standards for industrial nations or reduce them. And then there is the question about the EU leadership. As the de facto leader of the EU, I'm sorry, France. Germany's political direction will shape the future of European integration, immigration, trade policies, and the bloc's global standing. So what are the X factors? This is where it gets really interesting. If the AFD performs as well as the polls suggest, we could see a major realignment in German politics. And the question is, how will the other parties respond?
 
Will we see a cordon sanitaire against the far right, a firewall, or something like that? Or will the ideas of the far-right party start to influence the mainstream policies and parties? Then there is coalition conundrums. Given Germany's multi-party system, coalition building will be crucial. So could we see unexpected alliances forming to keep certain parties out of power? That is a question, isn't it? And then we are in the digital age. This election is said to be the most digital one in German history. So how will social media and potential disinformation campaigns influence the outcome of this election? Also a question. So whether you are interested in politics or someone who likes to stay informed, Germany's election is one to watch. It's not about who sits in the Bundestag in Berlin.
 
It is about the future of Europe, global security, and the world economy. So the question is, will Germany embrace a more conservative future, a more right-wing or more extreme future even? Or will progressive forces manage to hold the line? Can the next government tackle the economic challenges while maintaining Germany's commitment to green policies? And how will all this affect you wherever you are in the world? 

 

Hey! Tell us, let us know in the comments, please. Okay? Be in touch. Thank you so much. Trust me, you won't want to miss this election. It's democracy in action with consequences that will ripple across the globe. So stay alert. Let's watch history unfold together and let's comment and stay watchful. Thank you very much. All the best. Hear you. 

 

Dan Harris

Thanks, Claudia. Thanks to you out there for listening. If you have feedback on today's or previous episodes, please let us know on social media and our website, overhereoverthere.org, where you can also find our Patreon page. Please don't forget to subscribe and tell good people like yourselves about the podcast. Until next time, thanks for listening to Over Here, Over There.

[Music outro]