Germany

(Too) Much Ado About Germany’s Far-Right?

By Teri Schultz

European parliamentarian Elmar Brok says post-election Germany is no “problem case” Elmar Brok is the longest-serving lawmaker in the European Parliament (EP), a member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) who’s known her personally for nearly three decades. Brok, who spoke out forcefully against the extreme right during the recent election campaign, […]

Germany’s ‘Lame Duck’ Chancellor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was re-elected on September 24, will be a “lame duck” in her fourth, and likely final, term in office, according to Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference and Atlantic Council board director. “There are those in her party and sister party that will want to start having a […]

A High-Ambition Coalition? What Germany’s Elections Could Mean for Climate

By Ellen Scholl

In the German elections on September 24, Germany’s Christian Democrat Union (CDU) emerged once again as the most popular party, securing a fourth term for Chancellor Angela Merkel. While the question of who will lead Germany was answered, the question of which parties will govern the country—and in what coalition—is far from settled. As coalition […]

European Ambassadors Defend Iran Nuclear Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

European ambassadors to the United States on September 25 defended the nuclear deal with Iran, saying it is working, while warning that reopening negotiations would be a nonstarter and walking away from the deal would have serious consequences. This joint defense comes as US President Donald J. Trump, who has to certify to the US […]

The New Thorn in Merkel’s Side

By Alina Polyakova

In a year of unpredictable elections in the United States and in Europe, Germany’s federal elections on September 24 went as expected: Chancellor Angela Merkel was re-elected to a rare fourth term, signaling that a majority of Germans want more of the same for the next four years. And, why shouldn’t they? Germany has enjoyed […]

Dealing with the Far-Right in Germany

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council experts share their take on the outcome of the German elections. Here’s what they have to say:

German Election Shows Europe’s Nationalist Wave Has Not Crested

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with the Atlantic Council’s Daniel Fried German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party came in first, which is good news. But the strong showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in elections on September 24 is evidence of the fact that the nationalist wave remains a significant factor in Europe, according to the Atlantic Council’s […]