The action of the neo-Nazi organization “Citizens of the Reich” caused serious tremors in the political and social balance in Germany
2023 is approaching and the three-party alliance of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals is looking forward to the new year with optimism despite the disagreements and some misfortunes the “first time” in the management of such a government scheme. In an article published in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the presidents of the three parties said they want to make Germany more social, fairer, more competitive, with an emphasis on digitalization and climate neutral. Of course, they could write the same for 2022. In reality, the year that passed for the so-called traffic light government was a continuous sequence of crises, international and national, and this is not going to change in 2023. These crises had no completely unrelated to the plans he made in December 2021, when he came to power. The German government faces three major challenges. It should continue in the direction of securing energy supplies even if prices rise, maintaining social cohesion and peace amid the varied consequences of war, and clearer foreign policy orientation, especially with regard to China.
Social Cohesion and the “Citizens of the Reich”
To address the first challenge, the German government raised 200 billion euros. Households and the economy no longer have oil, natural gas and coal from Russia for this and next winter. What happens next depends on how the government acts. In an interview with the Funcke publishing group, Chancellor Soltz made it clear that he considers it unlikely that energy prices will drop to pre-Russian war levels in Ukraine. “I don’t think we will go back to the cheap prices of those times, but the situation will remain under control, because we have new energy import possibilities, Germany will remain a strong and successful industrial state.” This, however, requires a rapid development of renewable energy sources. However, there has already been a great deal of controversy within the coalition over the speed and measures in energy policy, such as the natural gas levy, which was finally overturned by Economy Minister Habek, or the continued operation of the 3 nuclear reactors by April. This should not happen again in 2023. Christian Democratic Party chairman Friedrich Merz told the Rheinische Post that the coalition is arguing too much and spending little time turning around energy and economic policy. The government must also make a big effort to strengthen social cohesion in times of major crises and insecurity among the population.
The recent revelation of an insidiously planned “coup” by a right-wing extremist group, the Citizens of the Reich, has alarmed Germans. Another concern of the government is to explain publicly in a better and unified way the supply of weapons to Ukraine and solidarity with its people who will continue to be attacked in 2023. According to a new study many people, especially in eastern Germany, face the support with greater skepticism than in West Germany. In a study by the Mercator Forum on Migration and Democracy (Midem) at the Technical University of Dresden, only 28% of East Germans surveyed want continued support for the country under attack, even if it leads to higher energy prices in Germany. In West Germany the corresponding percentage was at least 42%. And every third East German agrees with the statement that “NATO provoked Russia for so long that Russia had to go to war.” In West Germany it was only 22%.
China, the biggest challenge
Christian Democratic Party foreign policy expert Roderich Kieseweter, MP, summed up speaking to DW that the government must fully implement the era change it promised in the areas of security, economy and society. “Immediate implementation is necessary to defend our freedom and democracy in the face of Russia’s hybrid warfare in Europe and to equip ourselves against systemic competition with China.”
In connection with this, Germany must make greater efforts than before to appear with unified and not contradictory positions within the EU. Germany’s billion-euro anti-inflation package and high energy prices without prior consultation with anyone had turned several partners of the EU against the government in Berlin. Policy towards China and Russia is actually one of the most important tasks for the government in 2023. Kiesewetter told DW that the government’s mission is to diversify energy supply, to avoid cheap supply from China on the other hand. and to better recognize Beijing’s aggressive and hybrid action. “In the coming years, Beijing will attack Taiwan, so we must immediately reduce Chinese dependence and influence.”
In early November, the chancellor’s trip to China caused resentment among government partners. It was the first visit by a Western head of government since the controversial election of President Xi Jinping on October 23. Despite criticism, including from Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock, the chancellor allowed China’s Cosco to take a minority stake in the terminal operator at the port of Hamburg. .The united march against Beijing is another big challenge for the German government in 2023.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
