Germany is in a state of uncertainty, not seen since the reunification in 1990. The decline of mainstream parties in eastern states, the rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD), and increasingly alienated East-West relations demonstrate that more than just another administration is required in Germany today. Germany needs a leader who brings back trust in politics, unites social divisions, and reconfirms Germany’s role in Europe.
A glaring exception to the above trends is the deepening chasm between East and West. Some three decades have now passed since the reunification of Germany. Yet the term ‘flourishing landscapes’ once coined by Helmut Kohl to arouse the enthusiasm of Germans in the East remains a highly saleable product that has yet to be delivered to a dedicated market. Many Germans in the East continue to harbour the bitter impression that reunification has failed to bring about the promised land of plenty, causing some to feel underserved by politicians and parties in the West. This widespread disenchantment has created a huge vacuum into which the various strains of extremism are eager to pour.
It remains to be seen how Germany can address the issues which allow populism to flourish. To tackle the falling trust in the political establishment first, it is necessary to address the negative legacy of reunification. The transition from communism to democracy in 1990 was always going to be difficult, but the way in which it was implemented led to privatisation, the closure of companies, and mass unemployment. Many regions suffered the loss of their identities and a sense of purpose. The negative impacts of reunification have not been fully recognised by the establishment to date. Demographic change has also created several challenges for the country’s regions. The exodus of younger people from rural areas in the east to cities in the west of the country in search of work is creating a growing gap between regions with declining populations and dwindling public finances and those with growing populations and increasing demand for public services.
In terms of external challenges, in addition to domestic issues, Germany is currently experiencing increased pressure from outside. In addition to the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine and the ensuing security issues within Europe, Germany is also facing several economic challenges. Uncertainty with regard to issues relating to the European policy of the current government, as well as foreign policy challenges, continues to exert pressure on the country. The country’s ability to provide leadership internationally will suffer in the short term should domestic weaknesses continue to prevail. Europe needs a stable Germany, but a divided Germany is unable to provide the necessary stability.
It is leadership that is required above all else. The future political leadership of Germany needs to have four essential characteristics: vision, empathy, discipline, and unification capabilities.
Above all, Germany needs a visionary in the manner of Konrad Adenauer for post-war West Germany. As Chancellor, he laid out a strategic direction for his country by anchoring it firmly within Europe. In the context of reunification, it was Helmut Kohl, Germany’s Chancellor from 1982 to 1998, who offered his country a powerful political vision for the future. Today, in the critical phase of domestic renewal, a new generation of politicians will need to find a similar direction for the country as a whole, whether they are from East or West Germany. They will need to draw on the successes of their predecessors, while also learning from the mistakes they made.
Secondly, Germany needs more empathy. In foreign policy, Willy Brandt demonstrated the value of a politics of symbolism and of moral courage by kneeling in Warsaw. Today similar attitudes of respect are needed for all sections of the population in Germany. A politics which does not shy away from emotional topics will find very positive echoes amongst the masses. There is no need to subscribe to the ideologies of extreme right-wing groups. On the contrary, their views must be combated. But in democratic policy, there is nothing more important than to create a feeling of being heard amongst those whose perspectives on things have until now been ignored.
In terms of crisis management, Germany’s new leader needs to be as solid as a rock. As Helmut Schmidt demonstrated during times of economic crises and geopolitical change, a good politician must be calm, competent, and decisive. This is especially true if the German people are in a state of high anticipation and do not want to be promised the earth. Instead, they need to be told the truth and then shown that implementation is possible in the long term.
Additionally, above all else, Germany needs a leader who unites the country and brings different social groups together. There is no longer simply East and West to be brought together; there are rural and urban areas, those who profit from globalization and those who perceive it as a danger, and those who want to vote for mainstream parties and those who want to protest with the help of the new right. In order to win over voters of the AfD and other protest parties, a mainstream party must give expression to their views and stances. The effects of reunification must be confronted, and the bitterness of failure must be acknowledged. That also applies to the difficult transition phase. Reunification must be completed for eastern Germans. Germany’s eastern regions must be the focus of structural investment. The new federal states of Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt need above all infrastructure, digitalization, education and innovation. Every industry should have the opportunity to switch to green technologies; however, these must also bring new employment in each region and no longer lead to an exodus of youth to the West.
Thus, promises must be kept. The biggest problem of mainstream politics is the huge gap between content and implementation of promised visions for the future. Irrespective of the promised changes in infrastructure, in local economies, in organizations, in the operation of administrations, etc., it must start to become visible to the population within a short period of time. Moreover, economic renewal is not sufficient. The social cohesion of the country must be re-established. First of all, the unfinished business of reunification has to be recognized. That also includes giving the Eastern Germans a louder voice in the federal parliament. The future of migration and of security can only be determined by means of firm and humane measures. The control of the borders and a realistic integration of new citizens have to be managed in a more efficient way.
Domestic renewal goes hand in hand with foreign policy renewal. Here, a new German government must strive to strengthen European solidarity while also deepening cooperation with partners such as France. Germany is in need of a foreign policy. For it is only when Germany is in good order itself that it can help stabilize Europe. That is the promise of reunification that has yet to be fulfilled by a leader of Germany.
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Simon Hutagalung
Simon Hutagalung is a retired Indonesian Foreign Ministry diplomat and received his Master’s degree in Political Science and Comparative Politics from the City University of New York. He writes opinion pieces for Europeantimes and all opinions expressed in his article are his own.
