Germany
An in-depth analysis of Germany's trajectory through its foreign and European policies, its relations with France, its economy and its domestic politics, offering a perspective on the country and its role in the world.
Related Subjects
From the German Question to the European Question
Are we returning to “The German Question”, which we thought had been dealt with at unification? Although “The German Question” has deep historical roots, its return is indicative of a European crisis: economic fractures, institutions in deadlock, relative withdrawal of France and the UK on serious Union debates. Only through increased European integration can we expect Germany to regain to a place which it can occupy comfortably.
Germany and the Eastern Partnership after the Ukraine Crisis
The conflict in and about Ukraine has catapulted the European Union's Eastern Partnership (EaP) into the limelight of international attention. Belittled as a bureaucratic and technical policy instrument, the European Neighbourhood Policy and the EaP as its Eastern regional dimension have within the course of a few months gained unexpected geopolitical significance.
Between crisis and responsibility: a first assessment of the new German defense policy
Since the speeches delivered by President Joachim Gauck, Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen at the 2014 Munich Security Conference, Germany has seen a debate on new responsibilities in its foreign and security policy.
The German Debate on Country’s Security: Different Discourse, Same Paradigm
Recent debates in Germany about the future of the country’s security and foreign policy have aroused interest abroad, especially in France.
Greek-German Relations in Times of Crisis
This essay focuses on Greek-German relations with emphasis on the period of the SY.RIZ.A-Independent Greeks governments in 2015. In particular, it attempts to outline the political dimension of negotiations between Athens and Berlin at the EU level and explore mistakes and opportunities in the bilateral relationship.
The German OSCE Chairmanship in 2016: Towards a renewed dialogue with Russia?
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) represents the perfect framework for discussion of pan-European security issues thanks to its unique composition - fifty-seven member states of the Euro-Atlantic sphere, including the United States and Russia. The OSCE remains indeed one of the few forums of institutionalized dialogue between Western countries and Moscow and the only one to also include Washington.
Defending Europe? A stocktaking of French and German Visions for European Defense
The aim of this study consists of taking stock of strategic thinking in France and Germany. More concretely, it intends to identify compatible and incompatible aspects, as well as the potential for compromise, in these national considerations on the future of CSDP and NATO. In so doing, it concentrates on five issues: strategic visions, threat perception and military doctrine; the institutional framework for European defense; military interventions; capabilities as well as the industrial dimension.
Will the party “Alternative for Germany" be able to establish itself on the German political landscape?
Only a few months after it had been founded, the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) won 4.7% of the second votes in the federal elections, on 22 September 2013 – only 130,000 short of what was required for entry into the German Bundestag. Party and election researcher Oskar Niedermayer called it a "successful failure".
Tyskland - stormakt mot sin vilja?
In this article our research fellow Barbara Kunz summarises the broad outlines of German foreign policy to the Swedish public.
The German Debate on TTIP
The German economy is characterized by a very high degree of international openness – much more so than in other European countries such as France. Its economic success hence largely depends on the intensity with which it trades with the rest of the world, and in particular the United States who play a crucial role. Against this backdrop, it would seem logical that Berlin would welcome signing a free-trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union.
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Related centers and programs
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.