Germany’s downfall: Can a new government turn things around? | To The Point

From DW News.

Germany’s government coalition collapsed the day Donald Trump was announced winner of the US elections. Now, Germans will have to decide who will rule the country in a snap election in February. Until then, little else will get done. Olaf Scholz has become a lame duck chancellor – at a time when Germany needs strong political leadership more than ever: the economy is struggling, society is divided. Europe’s heavyweight has come to a halt, including in foreign policy. That’s especially bitter for Ukraine: while its two biggest supporters, the US and Germany, are stuck in a power vacuum, its war against Russia continues to escalate. On To the Point we ask: Germany’s downfall: can a new government turn things around?

Featuring Guests:
Michaela Küfner, DW’s Chief Political Editor
Felix Lee, SZ Dossier
Melinda Crane, US Expert

Chapter Breakdown:
01:00 Introduction of guests
02:10 The war against Ukraine was a blow for the German government
03:10 We´re entering a period of uncertainty
04:00 Germany urgently needs infrastructure and future technologies
04:40 The collapse of the government means wasting precious time
05:40 A two-thirds majority is needed for a reform of the German debt brake
07:20 Germany has no budget right now, adding to the chaos
08:30 The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lacked authority
10:35 Germany must invest in future technologies and infrastructure
11:00 Germany urgently needs a reform of the debt brake
12:20 Germany can regain its economic strength
13:10 Months of uncertainty will follow, private consumption will not rise
13:55 Donald Trump will try to put an end to Germany’s trade surplus with the US
15:15 New US tariffs will have a huge impact on Germany’s industry
18:50 Germany will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine
20:00 Germany doesn’t have the capacity to replace US support
21:45 Biden and Scholz are lame ducks, hindering peace negotiations with Russia
24:00 Germany will keep its commitment to support Ukraine
24:30 Germany will see more clarity in its foreign policy after the elections
25:00 Germans are demoralized and disturbed by the break of the coalition and the timing of it

#tothepoint #germany #ukraine
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