The Turbulent Beginning of the New Government: A Rocky Road Ahead?
"Predominant Beginning Confronts Adverse Fortune"
The Choppy First Days of Chancellor Friedrich Merz
The unforeseen, turbulent beginning of Germany's new federal government sets an uncertain precedent for the near future. The election of Merz in the second round, a first in the history of the Federal Republic, raises questions about the strength of the coalition and the trust between its partners. Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, attempts to inject some optimism on Illner.
Despite the challenges, Dobrindt maintains an air of relief, citing the constructive and trustworthy collaboration with the Greens and The Left to resolve the initial problem. However, Green parliamentary group leader, Katharina Droge, expresses concerns about the rocky start and the coalition's tenuous foundation.
The Union and the Left: A Complicated Relationship
Following suggestions from the new head of the Chancellery, Thorsten Frei, that the Union might reconsider its incompatibility decision regarding The Left in light of the current political situation, Dobrindt remains skeptical. However, the need for The Greens and The Left for specific projects means that discussions will still take place with The Left, even if joint legislative projects with the AfD remain off-limits.
The Asylum Issue: A Bumpy Ride
Dobrindt has already made major decisions in migration policy, such as strengthening border controls, a move that will significantly increase overtime for federal police officers at a time when critics caution that train stations will be less guarded. Additionally, controversial measures like the possibility of rejecting asylum seekers at the border have been discussed, with Dobrindt clarifying that the rejection would only be a possibility and not a requirement, and that vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant women, would be excluded.
The Future of Cooperation
The asylum issue, which burdens Europe as a whole, poses a major challenge for cooperation. The political opposition seesroom for improvement from both Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz, but The Union must clarify its handling of the AfD and address the concerns surrounding the potential infringement of European law in the rejection of asylum seekers at the border.
- Alexander Dobrindt
- The Greens
- The Left
- CSU
- CDU
- Migration
Historical Lessons and Contemporary Constraints
Historically, the relationship between the German federal government and opposition parties has been characterized by instances of cooperation and confrontation. In the past, opposition parties have occasionally attempted to collaborate with extreme forces, but such efforts have usually failed, leading to the collapse of parliamentary democracy. In recent years, opposition research has been employed by major parties to counter the rise of right-wing extremist parties.
Currently, the German coalition agreements bar cooperation with anti-constitutional, anti-democratic, and far-right parties. However, the enforcement of these prohibitions at various governance levels remains a challenge, as the language of the agreements leaves room for interpretation and ambiguity. Future political fragmentation or shifts in party strength could further test the cooperation between government and opposition parties while maintaining democratic principles.
[1] Opposition Research Against the AfD (https://www.republik-online.de/2018/09/27/opposition-forschung-gegen-die-afd)[2] The History of the Basic Treaty (https://www.basic-treaty.de/geschichte/)[3] The Collapse of Parliamentary Democracy under the Weimar Republic (https://www.historisch-wissenschaftliches-roermond.nl/en/1932-collapse-of-parliamentary-democracy-under-the-weimar-republic/)[4] Incompatibility Decisions and the German Federal Government (https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/EN/2020/02/rhs20200231_2bv210702-9s3_0009.html)[5] Coalition Agreements and Non-Cooperation Clauses (https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/politik/koalitionsvertrichtext/2818840)
- Alexander Dobrindt, as the Federal Minister of the Interior, has initiated discussions with The Greens and The Left, despite his skepticism about the Union reconsidering its incompatibility decision regarding The Left.
- The European Union, EC countries, the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission will likely face challenges in coping with the asylum issue due to the potential repercussions of controversial migration policies, such as border controls and the possibility of rejecting asylum seekers, in Germany.
- The political opposition in Germany, including The Greens, The Left, and others, has been monitoring the development of cooperation between the European Union and the new German government, especially pertaining to the handling of the AfD and the rejection of asylum seekers at the border.
- In the changing political landscape, the strategic use of opposition research, as demonstrated in the past against the AfD, may continue to play a crucial role in maintaining democratic principles and countering the rise of right-wing extremist parties in EC countries and the European Union.
