As Germany marks 80 years since the end of World War II, the nation stands at a pivotal moment—politically fractured at home, cautiously watched abroad, and still carrying the weight of a historic legacy that continues to shape its role in Europe and beyond.
A shifting political landscape
Germany’s current political scene is defined by instability and fragmentation. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition—comprised of the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democrats (FDP)—faces internal divisions and sinking approval ratings. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) continues to gain momentum, particularly in eastern states, raising alarm bells in Berlin and Brussels alike.
The AfD’s growing popularity, fuelled by economic anxieties, migration debates, and disillusionment with mainstream parties, is seen by many as a warning of democratic backsliding in the heart of Europe. Once marginal, the party now challenges centrist dominance in local elections and is poised to make strong gains in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
This trend mirrors broader dynamics across Europe, where nationalist and populist parties are gaining traction. But in Germany, the stakes are uniquely high—because of its past, its economic weight, and its symbolic centrality to the European project.
European and global consequences
As Europe’s largest economy and a key pillar of the European Union, Germany’s political direction has outsized consequences. A weakened or inward-looking Germany would leave a vacuum in EU leadership, particularly at a time when unity is sorely needed—amid war in Ukraine, rising energy costs, and challenges from China and the United States.
Germany’s response to the war in Ukraine has also revealed tensions. While Berlin eventually committed significant military and financial support to Kyiv, its initial hesitance and continued caution reflect a country still grappling with its militaristic past. Germany’s military rearmament—long taboo—is now policy, with the government pledging €100 billion to modernise the Bundeswehr. Yet this shift is not without domestic resistance.
Internationally, Germany remains a key voice in diplomacy, trade, and multilateralism. But its influence is challenged by more assertive foreign policies from France and the UK, and by increasing scepticism from Washington regarding Europe’s defence contributions. Germany’s ability to lead depends on political coherence at home and the willingness to embrace a more strategic global role.
Eighty years on: A changed but watchful role
Eighty years after the fall of the Nazi regime, Germany is no longer the aggressor it once was—but nor is it simply the “economic giant and political dwarf” described in Cold War years. It is a moral authority, an economic engine, and a model of remembrance culture. The lessons of the Holocaust and World War II are deeply embedded in its education, institutions, and foreign policy.
Still, this moral authority is being tested. As memories of the war fade with each generation, and as geopolitical pressures mount, Germany must decide what kind of power it wants to be. Will it rise to defend liberal democratic values, both at home and abroad? Or will internal division and rising extremism sap its ability to lead?
Germany stands at a crossroads—its post-war consensus under strain, its leadership role in Europe questioned, and its historic responsibility as relevant as ever. In an age where history risks repeating itself, Germany’s choices will reverberate far beyond its borders. The world is watching not just how Germany remembers—but how it responds.
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