Germany’s government has officially ended after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence at the Bundestag. The move comes as the country faces an existential crisis, with economic prosperity, social cohesion, and political stability on the decline.
In 2021, Scholz formed the first three-party government in recent German history, which was hailed as a modernization effort to tackle the country’s challenges. However, problems soon piled up, including Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the faltering economy.
The crisis is not just economic, but also social and ideological. The government’s agenda of green reforms has exacerbated the cost of energy, making it difficult for German car manufacturers to compete with their Chinese counterparts. Moreover, the toxic debate on migration has been brewing, with a mixed response from the government that hasn’t pleased anyone.
The consequences are devastating: widespread frustration with the government, its parties roundly disliked, and a rise in far-right Alternative for Germany as the second-most-popular party. Despite this, there is still reason to be optimistic, as the crisis of confidence can be overcome with political will.
Germany’s crisis may be the canary in the coal mine for Western societies, which face similar troubles in transforming carbon-based economies, responding to new geopolitical challenges, and achieving social cohesion. If Germany, a country that has long been considered the epitome of stability, is not able to do it, who is?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/opinion/germany-scholz-government-election.html