Germany Anticipates Further Tension and Conflict in Europe
German Coalition Talks Remain on the Brink of Failure
Following the September 26 federal election, German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced the task of forming a coalition government with four political parties: the Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union, the Free Democrats and the Greens.
Since then, Chancellor Merkel has made no real progress in securing this coalition. While the parties continue to talk, they regularly clash over various issues. A sense of hopelessness is creeping into the negotiations. Merkel was hoping to have the coalition formed before the end of the year, but that is looking increasingly unlikely.
Germany’s sloth-like movement toward a coalition government is no minor issue. In his Trumpet Brief this week, Richard Palmer stated that “the tortuous negotiations are a symptom of much deeper problems.” The tension and conflict within the coalition talks is a product of the tension and conflict within German society.
On Sunday, the leader of the Free Democrats said that there is a 50/50 chance of the coalition talks failing altogether. If the talks fail, that would mean another national election—an eventuality that could prove devastating for the German government.
German Strategists Anticipate Collapse of Europe
Last week, a secret document titled Strategic Perspective 2040 was leaked from the German defense department. The document, first reported by Der Spiegel, outlines six scenarios that could potentially unfold in Europe over the next 20 years.
The report shows that when German strategists peer into Europe’s future, they anticipate chaos, disorder and conflict. One scenario envisions the complete dissolution of the European Union, as well as more tension and conflict between European nations. Another scenario envisions an “increasingly disorderly, sometimes chaotic and conflictual world.”
Der Spiegel’s article noted that Germany will use this study to develop concrete plans to prepare for these possible scenarios, including measures for improving security and strengthening the German military.
