Germany

The majority of respondents want a Europe that is more independent of the US and forges new international partnerships. There is also broad support for a stronger European economy, even if this comes at a higher cost. These are among the findings of this year’s edition of our study on Germany’s role in the EU.

Die internationale Ordnung ist im Umbruch. Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine stellt Europa vor historische Herausforderungen und wirft grundlegende Fragen auf nach Abschreckung, Verteidigungsfähigkeit und langfristiger Stabilität. Gleichzeitig erhöhen neue geopolitische Rivalitäten, wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeiten und globale Krisen den Druck auf die Europäische Union, strategisch handlungsfähiger zu werden. Insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund einer Neuausrichtung der US-amerikanischen Außenpolitik. Über diese Entwicklungen sprach am 22. September 2026 Robert Habeck, Vizekanzler und Bundesminister für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz a.D. (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) mit Helga Schmidt, Journalistin und ehemalige Leiterin des ARD-Studios in Brüssel (Hörfunk). Im Mittelpunkt standen dabei zentrale Fragen für die Zukunft Europas: Welche Rolle kann und sollte Europa in Zeiten wachsender geopolitischer Spannungen einnehmen? Wie kann die EU ihre Sicherheit, Interessen und Werte wirksam schützen, und mit welchen Partnern?

The Berlin election has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with the fringes gaining strength whilst the centre erodes. Surprisingly, The Left has emerged as the strongest force. The Greens have fallen short of their election target and lost key districts, but are playing a central role in the formation of the government.

The candidate makes all the difference; the CDU finds itself outside parliament for the first time the Greens secure their place in the state parliament and are highly likely to become a governing party. The AfD becomes the strongest force and the sole opposition party.

The state election reflects a deep-seated division. The far right narrowly missed securing the absolute majority it had sought, thereby triggering a political earthquake. Forming a government is likely to prove difficult.

Since Germany’s last federal election in 2025, its centrist parties have lost large numbers of voters to the fringes – particularly to the Right. At the same time, the Greens have also regained ground. A new study gives clues as to how a centre-left political platform can secure a strong governing majority.

Franziska Brantner and Joschka Fischer spoke about the state of the country, for the new Böll.Thema 1/26,. Brantner is Member of the Bundestag since 2013 and Co-Leader of the German green party Alliance 90/The Greens since 2024. Fischer was the first ever Green Vice-Chancellor (1998-2005).

Friedrich Merz’s popularity is plummeting, and Germany’s ruling parties are fighting for survival. But now isn’t the time to focus on the fate of individuals and political groupings: Europe needs to be made fit for its new geopolitical reality.