International press review: “A phase of uncertainty begins”

Foreign media are looking forward to the federal election with excitement. While they see different reasons for the result, they largely agree on one thing: the formation of a government will take a long time and bring a lot of uncertainty.

The SPD’s race to catch up apparently impressed American President Joe Biden: “I’ll be darned … they’re solid,” Biden said to reporters at the White House on Sunday evening – in German, for example: “Thunderstorm, they’re strong!” Initially, after returning from the weekend, Biden waved his hand and said he had not seen any results. When he learned of the narrow lead of the SPD, the shirt-sleeved appreciation of their wafer-thin election victory followed.

Of course, the US media also report this: The “Washington Post” predicts a protracted struggle to form the Merkel successor government. “A phase of uncertainty” begins in Germany that could last weeks or months. The traditional paper also explains the unexpectedly good performance of the SPD with the fact that Merkel failed to build a convincing successor.

“Politics will get more chaotic”

the “New York Times” judges that Merkel is leaving behind a changed country full of pride, prosperity, but also fears of coming changes. Politics will become more chaotic in the future, which is also due to the fact that a government coalition will now consist of three parties.

The transmitter CNN spoke of a close race, and asks where Europe’s largest economy is headed when it is led by a social democratic party. The right channel Fox News emphasizes that the upcoming government coalition – if it is established – will have to get the economic problems in the wake of the corona pandemic under control.

Power struggle expected in the CDU

The British “Guardian” expects a dispute over the direction of the CDU, which has suffered a historic defeat after 16 years in government. “For a long time the party seemed immune to the erosion that other conservative parties in Europe had gripped.” Now there will be a dispute within the party, the right wing will point the finger at top candidate Armin Laschet and demand far-reaching changes.

The power poker can begin

The transmitter “Franceinfo” from Paris emphasized that work was only just getting started. Since the election result did not produce a clear winner, difficult negotiations for a government majority are now pending – the game of poker can begin.

And the French “Figaro” warns of political instability in Germany. Despite all the crises, Angela Merkel’s 16 years of government were a time of great stability and predictability. The now tight election result and the fact that both the Union and the SPD claim the post of Chancellor will bring a phase of uncertainty for Germany.