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The reigning Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Berlin was asked how long world had to wait for a new German government. He gave a double answer on 7th Foreign Policy Forum of Körber Foundation: The Basic Law guarantees that Germany will in meantime remain capable of action, he assured. In a keynote speech he n made it clear that he had firm intention of continuing to shape German foreign policy as a minister. Now he just has to convince his SPD to go with him.
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At heart of Gabriel’s speech: Europe must reflect on its interests and self-confidently define its place in world. This also includes “projecting power”. He left no doubt that Germany should assume a leading role in this regard. The world has become far more uncomfortable – key points: US withdrawal, crisis of globalisation, crisis of EU; For Germany, despite comfortable economic situation, re could be “no place on sidelines”: “Eir we design in world. Or we will be shaped. “
And n Gabriel concluded an important sentence to local population and especially to his own party: “A value-oriented foreign policy will not suffice.” He himself, in any case, seems determined to focus German and European policy more strongly on geo-strategic objectives and not (only) on human rights issues. Because, his central argument: competition is not waiting! The vacuum that US has not only left since Trump International, which will also continue under a successor, filled Russia and China.
Gabriel sees three options as a way out: eir a world without leadership (“for Germany as a medium makes fire dangerous”), a new bipolar order with US and China as leaders or a multipolar order with binding rules and structures – Preferred Variant. In view of this new world order, Germany and EU should no longer hide, according to his conclusion. It is only when Europe defines its interests that international balance can be created.
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What se interests are supposed to be – however, Gabriel left it open. It needs a “clear view of world without moral blinders,” he demanded. For a Social Democrats quite new sounds. After all, SPD and Greens had hidden ir war holdings in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Kosovo behind defence of human rights.
“Germany must do more and dare,” said former SPD chief. To invest more in EU security. Also a new tone. In Bundestag campaign, Gabriel had still opposed US demand to NATO partners to raise defence spending to two percent of gross domestic product. “Not for Trump,” was his popular justification.
However, a survey published by Körber Foundation on same day shows that Gabriel and or foreign policy-makers, with ir demand for a stronger German commitment in world that y have been raising for years, have barely caught up with population so far. 52 percent of respondents are in favour of Germany continuing to hold back. 43 percent, on or hand, is in favour of more international involvement – an increase of two percentage points compared to last survey 2016. But still clear minority.
