After 16 years under Angela Merkel's steady hand, Germany embarked on a new political journey. The slogan chosen by the new federal government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is "Osare più progresso!" – or in German, "Mehr Fortschritt wagen!" It's an ambitious declaration, isn't it? It immediately sparks the question: what kind of progress are we talking about, and in what direction will Germany steer itself?
When this piece was commissioned, the political landscape was still taking shape. The election in September 2021 had brought forth a new majority, and the very formation of the government was a significant event. The fact that Olaf Scholz himself had served as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister under Merkel might suggest a thread of continuity. Yet, the programmatic ambitions of his new government hint at a departure. It’s a fascinating dynamic, this dance between the familiar and the forward-looking.
Forming this new government wasn't a simple affair. It involved an unprecedented coalition – the so-called "traffic light" alliance of the SPD (red), FDP (yellow), and the Greens (green). For a while, there was a palpable sense of uncertainty, a worry that this novel combination might lead to instability, something Germany has historically strived to avoid. The nation's political culture, deeply shaped by the trauma of the Weimar Republic, places a premium on stability. The entire constitutional framework is designed to safeguard it, a lesson learned the hard way.
But Germany, it seems, is adapting. The period between the federal election and Chancellor Scholz's investiture, a mere 73 days, defied those early fears of instability. The new government was able to get to work swiftly. This period of transition also reflects a broader, gradual normalization that has been underway for years, a process that arguably began with reunification. The division of Germany, once such a defining feature of the post-war era, is fading into history, becoming a less dominant narrative.
This normalization is also visible in the political system itself. For decades after reunification, Germany enjoyed a period of relative political predictability. However, the last decade has seen shifts. The increasing number of parties represented in the Bundestag is a clear indicator, mirroring trends in other democracies. This naturally leads to more complex coalition negotiations and, consequently, more diverse political options – and challenges.
Even during Merkel's tenure, the need for broad coalitions became apparent. For three of her four terms, she governed with a "grand coalition" of the two largest parties, the CDU/CSU and the SPD, leaving smaller parties in opposition. Her own rise to power in 2005 was notable; she was not only the first female Chancellor but also the first from East Germany. Yet, her victory wasn't a landslide, and the only way to form a majority government and exclude the left-wing party (Die Linke) was through that grand coalition. Her subsequent terms saw different alliances, including a period with the liberal FDP, and then another grand coalition. The negotiations after the 2017 election, for instance, were lengthy and involved discussions with the Greens, highlighting the evolving political landscape.
So, as Germany steps forward under its new slogan, "Daring More Progress!", it does so with a rich history of stability, a pragmatic approach to coalition-building, and a clear, albeit ambitious, vision for the future. The question remains: what will this progress look like in practice?
