In this episode of \"Think. Debate. Inspire.\" Pradnya Bivalkar talks to Bert Koenders about the political developments in Germany over the past few months, its implications for domestic, European politics and international relations. *NOTE: This episode was recorded before the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz openly criticized Israel for its actions in Gaza.*
References:
Politikverdrossenheit: disenchantment with political class and established political parties
Snap elections called in Germany: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-scholz-paves-the-way-for-snap-elections/a-71018939;
JD Vance at Munich Security Conference: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/18/vance-speech-munich-full-text-read-transcript-europe/;
Zeitenwende : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitenwende_speech;
SPD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Germany;
CDU : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_of_Germany;
AfD : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany;
Friedrich Merz's speech about his foreign policy aspirations (in German) : https://koerber-stiftung.de/mediathek/friedrich-merz-zu-aussen-und-europapolitischen-prioritaeten-fuer-deutschland/;
Debt brake revision : https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-bundestag-votes-in-favor-of-reforming-debt-brake/live-71956815;
Brandmauer : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_against_the_far-right_in_Germany;
Highest election turnout in the 2025 federal elections : https://www.statista.com/statistics/753732/german-elections-voter-turnout/; https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-explained-in-graphics/a-71724186;
Friedrich Merz criticizes Israel : https://www.dw.com/en/how-has-israel-reacted-to-criticism-from-chancellor-merz/a-72706010;