Germany at a Crossroads: Unrest, Protests, and Potential “Angry Elections” in 2024

Jakarta –

Still fresh in German minds, former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) won the federal election by doing one thing, namely by doing nothing. “You know me,” was his campaign slogan, and posters showed his hands forming diamonds. This attitude seems meditative for Merkel. He once said that this kind of posture helped him keep his distance from the person he was talking to.

At some point, the diamond posture also became a political symbol. This represents a promise to voters that there will be no major changes in their prosperous and peaceful lives, and that citizens do not need to worry, everything is fine. From today’s perspective, that was a mistake.

Not ready to face shocks and crises

There is a mentality that has developed and can be described with the sentence: “Change the world, but not my lifestyle,” according to political scientist from Bulgaria, Ivan Krastev, in October 2023 in Der Spiegel magazine in conversation with German Minister of Economy, Robert Habeck. Germany is considered unprepared to face crises and shocks. “The last 30 years have been going so well, that people want this to never end.”

The current federal coalition government consisting of the SPD, Green Party and FDP was deemed unprepared to face the war in Ukraine and its consequences for Germany, when they took power in December 2021. Transforming Germany, but without losing prosperity, that is the promise of the Red-Yellow coalition -Green, which is often called the traffic light coalition.

People even think that the transformation towards a climate neutral economy and society can be carried out without losing prosperity. Everything could be financed with new credit of 60 billion euros, a strategy that was later declared unconstitutional by the German Constitutional Court in November 2023.

Now, the government lacks the budget for its ambitious projects. After the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, the government could no longer keep its promises. The cessation of supplies of cheap oil and gas from Russia caused prices to soar and plunged the German economy into recession. Setbacks occurred in almost all sectors.

In this situation, further budget savings are considered a threat and unreasonable. This makes some people tired and embarrassed, while others are angry with the government. When German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the flooded areas on New Year’s Eve, he was greeted with angry words. He was shouted “liar”, “traitor” and “criminal”.

The German Vice Chancellor’s ferry was almost attacked

Also disappointed are farmers, whose subsidies will be cut. Across Germany, they blocked highways, came by tractor and tronton to towns to protest and paralyzed traffic.

In the north, angry farmers, perhaps also infiltrated by far-right extremists, tried to storm the ferry on which German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Green Party) was returning home from the Christmas holiday. There are dramatic scenes previously only seen in eastern Germany, where the ultra-right AfD party has become hugely popular. During the corona pandemic, demonstrations were also repeatedly held in front of the private homes of a number of politicians.

Each person puts himself first

Ursula Mnch, Director of the Tutzing Political Education Academy, sees something similar, although less dramatic. “I don’t think we are talking about splitting society into two parts. But I see that the peripheral areas of society are getting bigger,” the political scientist told DW.

Economy Minister Robert Habeck also spoke about this in a video statement. Mnch said that it was those who “are actually inclined to dissent, who express strong dissatisfaction, who organize protests.”

For now, these groups are farmers and the train engineer union. Both are powerful interest groups and can paralyze the entire republic with their actions and strikes. For journalist Albrecht von Lucke of the monthly magazine “Bltter fr deutsche und internationalepolitik”, the farmers’ protest is a clear example that “each group only fights for itself”.

Ursula Mnch explains the farmers’ protest. On the one hand financially, subsidies had to be canceled quickly, and people did not have time to prepare adequately. Farmers also feel neglected because they and their associations were not consulted first. “You feel marginalized and not considered important.”

Anyone who talks to farmers often hears complaints that the pressure on them to reform is enormous. There are always new requirements for climate and environmental protection, as well as animal welfare. Small-scale farms in particular say they are not given enough time and funds to make changes.

Is the country late?

When in early 2023 a statement emerged that the government wanted to ban the use of home heating with oil and gas as soon as possible, and instead require the installation of heat pumps, there was a strong outcry from the public. The reputation of Economy Minister Habeck, who floated the idea, immediately fell, and the Green Party plummeted in opinion polls.

Political scientist Mnch said: “Until then, a lot of people were saying, we get it, we do have to change a bit. But the fact is that it will directly impact your pockets, your heating space and your garage. That’s actually what’s causing people to suddenly suddenly perceive this situation as something invasive.”

AfD takes advantage of the situation

However, Mnch argues that German society should not be frustrated. “I mean, we are clearly a country that has great resources, we have a strong financial foundation, and we are a prosperous country. It’s understandable that everyone has concerns, but we must not let ourselves be fooled.”

The party that benefits most from this condition is the AfD. Their approval ratings continue to rise. In the states of Saxony, Thringen and Brandenburg, where state elections will be held in September, the AfD has so far topped the rankings in several surveys.

A potential “angry election” in 2024?

Political scientist Mnch warned that citizens should not only listen to extremist and populist messages. “Currently, in my opinion, there is actually a certain threat or danger because some parts of society can be easily exploited.” The number of people who believe they have been given incorrect information is increasing, he said.

Meanwhile journalist Albrecht von Lucke predicts there will be “angry elections” in 2024, especially as there is no visible improvement in the current government coalition. “Discord will continue, frustration in the country will rise, and we may face an election filled with protests and hatred.” (ae/cell)

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Watch the video ‘Sightings of Farmers’ Tractors Blocking Highways in Germany’:

(ita/ita)

2024-01-16 07:33:20
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