Some German parties are in favor of cooperating with Moscow, others – to strengthen dialogue
In Berlin, pre-election television debates took place between the leaders of Germany's small parliamentary parties. During the TV show, politicians differed on Russian-German relations. Some advocated more active and closer cooperation with Moscow, while others did not welcome rapprochement. We found out what the German parties are saying about Russia.
Photo: AP
Parliamentary elections in Germany will be held on September 26. They will elect members of the 20th convocation of the Bundestag, who will elect a new chancellor of the country. These will be the first elections since 1994, in which the current chancellor (in this case Angela Merkel) will not fight for re-election.
Office candidates from the top three parties – the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Greens have not yet addressed foreign policy issues during the television debates. However, the candidates' position vis-à-vis Russia can be assessed on the basis of their public statements.
It is believed that Christian Democrat leader Armin Laschet, if he wins the election, will largely follow Merkel's progress. He certainly cannot be called a pro-Russian politician. He previously threatened the Russian Federation with sanctions for its pressure on Ukraine through the recently completed Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
“If Russia behaves aggressively towards Ukraine again, Germany will take action at the national level and support sanctions at the level of the European Union,” he told the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita. But while criticizing Moscow on a number of issues, Armin Laschet is also calling for compromises. He strongly believes that countries must look for areas where they can work together.
Social Democrat Chancellor candidate Alaf Scholz has taken a restrained but rather tough stance on the Russian government. It is not worth waiting for the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions or recognition of the annexation of Crimea if it wins the election, but support for Berlin's Nord Stream 2 project, experts say, will continue. Scholz, who is considered a favorite in the upcoming elections based on recent opinion polls, is generally in favor of dialogue with Moscow. Therefore, with his coming to power, the general direction of Germany in relations with our country will probably not change significantly.
However, the Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Berbocková plans to use a tougher tone in negotiations with Russia. She publicly called the Russian leadership a “corrupt regime” and even demanded increased pressure on Moscow against the background of the recent accumulation of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine. The politician has also repeatedly stated that a tougher dialogue needs to be established not only with Russia but also with China. Berbock also advocates the immediate abandonment of Nord Stream 2. For her party, a negative attitude towards this project is dictated not only by a political but also by an ecological choice – in favor of renewable energy.
As for the small parties, on which the composition of the future governing coalition in Germany will depend to a large extent, their approaches to the Russian direction also differ. The leader of the left-wing party (Die Linke), Janine Wissler, spoke about the need for rapprochement with Moscow. It advocated the disintegration of NATO and the creation of a so-called “collective security alliance” in its place, which would include Russia. According to her, despite all criticism of the Kremlin's actions, Germany should not be allowed a “military encounter” with Russia.
The head of the right-wing populist faction “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) Alice Weidel considers it necessary to lift anti-Russian sanctions. “We need Russia as a partner,” Weidel said. “We also need China as a partner, as well as the United States.” Russia is an important geostrategic player with whom it is necessary to keep channels open for dialogue. “
The opposite point of view is for liberals from the Free Democratic Party of Germany. FDP leader Christian Lindner called the US comparison with Russia and China incorrect. “I am deeply convinced that Russia has a place in the European home,” he said. “But Moscow should not neglect the rules that exist in it.” Alexander Dobrindt, a spokesman for the speaker in conjunction with conservatives from the Christian Socialist Union CDU, also criticized the left and the alternative for Germany and accused them of “radicalism.” “These two very radical positions call into question our architecture of security, partnership and values,” Dobrindt said.