On 8 December, the new German government - a coalition between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP - took office under Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who was elected by the Bundestag the same day.
On 26 September, Germans voted to elect their MPs and indirectly choose who will succeed Angela Merkel after 16 years in the Chancellery. On 24 November, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP made public the coalition contract of the 'Ampel' government, the programme they plan to implement for the next four years.
The "Traffic Light" Coalition Contract Explained
To understand the stakes of these decisive elections for Germany and the European Union, you can find on this page the publications of the Foundation and the debates we are organising around the latest developments in Germany, as well as our interventions in the media and resources on the programmes of the parties in contention.
Bad news from Germany - Elections with uncertain results
The German federal elections confirm the decline of the two major traditional parties. The long and probably laborious negotiations that are about to begin will lead the country and Europe into a period of uncertainty and perhaps immobility, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani.
German uncertainties
The German parliamentary elections on 26 September are particularly important for Europe. The lack of substantive debates during the campaign and the weakening of the two major parties, however, point to long months of coalition building and a fear of reform, which could prove detrimental to European progress, notes Jean-Dominique Giuliani.
Who will succeed Angela Merkel? Germany in a state of uncertainty three weeks before the federal elections
The German federal elections on 26 September will bring a new Chancellor to office, as Angela Merkel, Chancellor since 2005, is not standing for re-election. Beyond the person who will be chosen for this position, the question is to determine which government coalition can be negotiated and put in place. With three weeks to go before the election, several scenarios, with different political positions, and perhaps for the first time with three parties, are possible.
Germany turns the page post-Merkel
Angela Merkel, who has headed the German government since 2005, will step down after the federal elections on 26 September. The election also heralds a profound change in the political landscape, with the Christian Democrats seeking to renew their candidates, the Social Democrats losing ground and the Greens representing an alternative force for the first time.
Post-election negotiations: what is at stake for Germany and Europe?
11/10/2021
To analyse the challenges that Germany is facing in forming a new government after its federal elections, the Foundation organised an online debate with DFI's Frank Baasner, former Ambassador Joachim Bitterlich and correspondent Hélène Kohl. (Please note that this event was held in French.)
Who will be the next German chancellor and with which government coalition?
14/09/2021
On Tuesday 14 September, the Foundation organised an online debate on Germany and its federal elections which took place on 26 September. DFI Director Frank Baasner, former German Ambassador Joachim Bitterlich and correspondent Hélène Kohl analysed the issues at stake in the elections and discussed the political future of a Germany with a new Chancellor and a new government. (Please note that this event was held in French.)
Germany turns the Merkel page
12/05/2021
The Foundation organised an online debate on Germany and its political future with DFI Director Frank Baasner, former Ambassador Joachim Bitterlich and correspondent Hélène KOHL. (Please note that this event was held in French.)
The time of revolution has come: after Merkel, the French are leading the EU
In an interview for an article on the French presidency of the EU Council, published by the Hungarian news portal Valasz online, Jean-Dominique Giuliani spoke about European autonomy, complementarity with Nato and about the new German government and its stance towards investments.
Von Berlin über Paris nach Brüssel: Die ersten Dienstreisen von Kanzler Scholz
In an article about the new German Chancellor's first diplomatic trips, the Berliner Zeitung referred to an interview that Pascale Joannin had given to AFP mondiale.
La socialdemocracia europea ensaya un resurgimiento con su triunfo en Alemania
The Chilean newspaper El Mercurio published an article about Europe's social democratic parties for which Pascale Joannin was interviewed.
EU hofft auf schnelle Regierungsbildung
The German NTV published an article on the German coalition forming process in which Eric Maurice is cited.
Wer kommt nach Merkel und Macron?
Eric Maurice is cited in an article published by the German Euranet Plus on the German federal and the French presidential election.
Merkel-Abschied öffnet Macht-Vakuum in Europa, erste Anwärter stehen schon bereit
The German magazine Focus published an AFP article on the end of Angela Merkel's political era citing Eric Maurice.
So blickt die Welt auf die Bundestagswahl
Eric Maurice was quoted in the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel in an article on the German federal election and possible consequences for Europe.
Two tough defeats of her coalition cloud the beginning of Angela Merkel's dismissal from power
In an article published by the news platform Archyde, Jean-Dominique Giuliani reacts to the results of the German party CDU at regional elections in two German Länder.
• The New German Government
• Vote of the German Bundestag
• The coalition contract (in German)
• The programmes of the main political parties (in German)
- The "Union" (CDU/CSU)
- Social Democratic Party (SPD)
- Alliance '90/The Greens
- Liberal Democratic Party (FDP)
