The international press emphasizes the stalemate situation, which is unusual for Germany, with two almost equally strong parties that can both form a governable three-party coalition. In countries like Switzerland and Italy, the big newspapers see a new era dawning for Germany due to the shrinking of the Union and the SPD, which has long been a reality in their countries: victories with 25 percent, colorful coalitions and complicated government formations. Of the Corriere della Sera from Milan even writes that this election is “more of a revolution than an election”. Even so, newspapers look like the Slovak one sme Even after this key choice, Germany as a stable, reliable, constructive part of the European Union: “That may be boring, but it is good.”
Belgium:
The Belgian newspaper thinks about the result of the federal election De Tijd: “Since Angela Merkel is no longer there, Germany is also entering an unstable phase. A new start is needed that enables a new level of stability. That is a difficult task, because the voters in Germany seem to have become just as capricious as they are in the rest of Europe. Forming a coalition soon in Germany – with whatever colors – would be the best sign of security for Europe. But there is no guarantee for the desired stability. In Germany, too, the consensus seems to have been lost. And that is not one good news – neither for Germany nor for the rest of Europe. “
Denmark:
The liberal Danish daily newspaper Politics (Copenhagen) commented on the general election in Germany: “It is still uncertain who will be the next chancellor. Everything indicates that it will take weeks or even months before the future government coalition is in place. But regardless of that, the historic election on Sunday will take place One thing is clear: By far the greatest task of the next government is to get Germany much further into the climate fight than it is now. This is not only crucial for Germany, but for the whole of the EU. (…) The Greens have not getting the choice they dreamed of. But the choice has become a climate choice. “
Great Britain:
The Londoners wrote about the formation of a coalition after the general election Times: “The challenge for Olaf Scholz is to move the business-friendly FDP to a pact with his SPD and the Greens, who have already signaled that they want to govern together. (…) However, the FDP would pay a high price for this Demand a deal. Its chairman, Christian Lindner, is expected to insist on controlling the Treasury to block some of the tax hikes that were at the center of campaigning by the SPD and Greens. (…) The Greens will hesitate, some to abandon their political trademarks, such as a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles from 2030. Their positions on taxes and spending, including a EUR 500 billion investment program financed by public bonds, are in stark contrast to those of the CDU and the CDU FDP who want to balance the budget and lower corporate tax rates to stimulate the economy while she is recovering from the pandemic. “
The liberal Guardian observed a “jubilant mood” among the Greens. They would have achieved their best result in a German election with 14.8 percent. Even if they “expected better results at an earlier point in time and have lost 13 percentage points since April, they have shown themselves to be confident kingmakers for the coming coalition talks.”
Italy:
The bourgeois Milanese Corriere della Sera, Italy’s largest newspaper, comments on the new fragmentation in Germany: “It was more of a revolution than an election. Germany has voted and closes the era of Angela Merkel with an unprecedented, extraordinary and highly problematic result. (…) The birth of a the new government is long and complicated. “
For the left-liberal Roman newspaper La Repubblica is “Germany in suspension” – that is the title in large letters on the first page. Lucio Caracciolo, Italy’s best-known expert on geopolitics, writes: “The German elections are having greater consequences for us than the coming Italian elections, whenever they take place. Especially if there were a government in Berlin in which the FDP would tip the scales and its leader, Christian Lindner, would become finance minister. In this case, Germany’s urge to return to a fiscal (and monetary) austerity policy as soon as possible would be very strong. (…) Such a restoration would also be a catastrophe for France, and so Rome and Paris are now de facto moving closer together. “
La Stampa from Turin thinks that the Germans have decided not to decide how to proceed after Merkel: “Perhaps the most important lesson from this election is that it is difficult to fill this vacuum of leadership.” The title on the sheet: “The Chancellor without heirs.”
Netherlands:
De Telegraaf writes: “The next head of government in Berlin will be a weaker chancellor. This is bad news for the European Union, in which Germany has to be a leader in a troubled world in terms of population and economic power. primus inter pares’ – the first among equals, as is the case with the Prime Minister in the Netherlands. “
The public service broadcaster comments: “Armin Laschet made some now famous mistakes, but much earlier it was clear: He simply speaks too few people. Even in the ranks of the CDU / CSU only a few were convinced of him. And also the election campaign was much criticized. It was initially meaningless and based too much on the assumption that Merkel voters would like to stay with the Union There is continuity and stability. That appeals to people with different political backgrounds. “
Russia:
The Russian government newspaper writes about the outcome of the federal election Rossiyskaya Gazeta: “Two candidates for Chancellor at once – Olaf Scholz from the SPD and Armin Laschet from the CDU – triumphantly appeared in front of their supporters and expressed their readiness to lead the future government. So far there is little doubt about one point: Germany will become a three-party coalition In fact, the most important political battle is still to come. (…) And many experts believe that it is really early to write off Laschet. At the same time, the Social Democratic candidate confidently declared: ‘The citizens want the new Chancellor Olaf Scholz means. ‘”
Switzerland:
The man from Zurich writes about possible government coalitions after the federal election Daily indicator on Monday: “Many Germans know that the country is facing major challenges. Scholz held out the prospect of change that demands as little as possible from the people – just like Angela Merkel. His chances are now intact, as the fourth Social Democrat after Willy Brandt To become Helmut Schmidt and Gerhard Schröder Chancellors. It will not be easy, but the excellent negotiator Scholz can be trusted to convince the FDP and the Greens of a new kind of center coalition. (…) Germany is approaching the parliamentary reality in other European countries Democracies on: Victories with 25 percent of the vote, followed by several medium-sized parties that are forming ever more colorful coalitions. Germany has to get used to this confusion. “
On possible government coalitions after the crash of the CDU / CSU thinks Neue Zürcher ZeitunG am Monday: “From a liberal perspective one could be tempted to prefer the Jamaica model to the SPD-led traffic light. After all, the Union and FDP both want a more efficient state and less bureaucracy for the economy, and both have ruled out tax increases Left parties, who stand for the opposite, take the liberals in a pincer. (…) Who knows, maybe Olaf Scholz will come so far towards the FDP in the end that the compromises are more convincing than what Armin Laschet can do could negotiate with the Greens. “
Spain:
El País On this election night, pays one more time to the outgoing Chancellor. Lluís Bassets writes that she will end her long term of office “without stumbling and without defeat”, that it is “extraordinary and admirable”. Her successor now faces the great task of leading this “better” country, which Merkel made of Germany, into the future without endangering her legacy, a country “whose strength was once terrifying and now promises security”.
The conservative newspaper El Mundo does not want to read from the small lead of Olaf Scholz any resurgence of social democracy in the center of Europe. After all, Scholz advertised during the election campaign primarily to continue the broad lines of Merkel’s policy. He promised that “everything will change so that nothing changes”.
Slovakia:
The liberal Slovak daily newspaper Sme writes: “What would mean uncertainty in other states is called a development in Germany. Regardless of whether a social or Christian democrat becomes the next German chancellor (…): Germany will continue to be a stable democracy in which common sense plays the main role will play in politics and populist parties will stay on the sidelines and where one will look for pragmatic solutions. (…) The result will always be that Germany can do it and be a stable, constructive part of the European Union. Does that sound boring? Possibly yes, but this is how a functioning democracy should look the way Germany is. So that key elections do not threaten it. That may be boring, but it is good. “
France:
The Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace (DNA) from Alsace: “Ultimately, the Greens are the big winners who, despite their mixed results, represent the third force in the country, but above all Christian Lindner’s FDP. He will play the referee and has not yet digested the way he was treated four years ago by the CSU and the Greens when they tried to form a majority . And promise Angela Merkel, who has to guarantee the transition, to stay at the head of the country for a few more months. “
UNITED STATES:
For the New York Times Sunday’s election signals the end of an era for Germany and Europe. “The election campaign has turned out to be the most volatile and unstable in decades. Angela Merkel’s departure leaves a country that has demonstrably changed – and is now anxiously looking forward to further changes.”