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Election posters: There is no clear winner in sight
Photo: IMAGO / Bildgehege
Will Germany be the sick man of Europe again in four years - or will the general election on Sunday be a new beginning?
After 16 years as Chancellor, Angela Merkel is also looking closely at the vote in this country abroad.
The balance of the international observers is mostly sobering, too much was left behind in the Merkel era.
The view of the foreign press on Germany at a glance:
The
New York Times
considers Germany ill-prepared for future challenges: “There are signs that Germany is economically vulnerable, is losing competitiveness, and is not prepared for a future that is due to technology and the rivalry between the United States and China is shaped. "
The Belgian newspaper
“De Standaard”,
on the other hand, identified many deficits in Armin Laschet's election campaign. "In the election campaign of the Christian Democrats' candidate for chancellor, there were a few slip-ups that compromised his credibility," the paper analyzes. “His awkward appearance (in the flood area) haunts him to this day, Laschet distances himself from the Red and Green candidates for chancellor, who seem to have found each other. He warns of the consequences should they come to power. All analysts say that is a sign of weakness. "
"The choice is completely open," analyzes
Danmarks Radio
on the other hand
.
A quarter of the voters have not yet made a decision - but they were not really helped by the final round of the top candidates of the parties on Thursday evening (read the live commentary on the broadcast here, an analysis here).
"Anyone who expected a political dating show like the one at the last Chancellor debate, in which the Social Democrats and Greens practically embraced each other, was disappointed."
Scholz recommends »Economist«
If you are still looking for a recommendation, the British
»Economist« has
one ready: The influential business magazine has spoken out in favor of the SPD candidate Olaf Scholz. "It's time for a change," said the magazine's Europe correspondent, Vendeline von Bredow, to the German editorial network. The front page of the Economist magazine this week is adorned with a collapsing eagle, above the line: "The chaos that Merkel is leaving behind."
The
»Neue Zürcher Zeitung«,
on the other hand, does not seem to be convinced of any offer. Contrary to what Armin Laschet claims, the country has not made any progress in the past 16 years, according to a comment. “It has become so cumbersome and sluggish, as tired and full as those two parties that have shaped it for so long. All of them pseudo giants. «As gratifying as the openness of this election was, the alliances that could rule the country for the next four years were just as unconvincing. Based on a statement by Kevin Kühnert, the text closes soberly: "Some actually belong in rehab, and others sometimes have political ideas out of the nut mill."
According to the
Washington Post
, Merkel's legacy
is uncertain
.
»The general election on September 26th marks the end of Merkel's 16 years in power.
Otherwise little is certain, «writes the newspaper.
“It's the most open race in decades.
The leadership in the polls has switched between three major parties: Merkel's Christian Democrats, the Greens and the Social Democrats.
The outcome of the election will shape the future of the EU's largest economy as well as the EU as a whole, its relations with allies such as the United States and rivals including Russia and China. "
Moderation as a trademark
In turn, the British
Guardian
is working on Merkel's legacy
. “Whatever the case, the Merkel era was a triumph of neutralizing crises - without actually solving them. Given the scale of these challenges, this hesitation is an achievement, but it is an ambiguous legacy that poses many problems on its successor and leaves existential questions about the future of Europe unanswered. "
The newspaper
»Público«
from Portugal, on the other hand, has something good to say about Merkel's politics - sees moderation as its trademark: »Gone are the days when the Chancellor was caricatured as a dictator in countries that were dependent on financial aid programs. Many of those who so attacked them now recognize the importance of their political moderation. Merkel's leadership is seen as a contribution to balancing the different interests of the EU countries in order to avoid European disintegration or German hegemony. "
Specifically, the Norwegian tabloid
“Dagbladet”
criticizes
Merkel's failures in digitization: “Germany is lagging behind in the EU when it comes to the expansion of fiber optic cables, and in the digitization of public administration on a par with Bulgaria.
In order to contact the authorities, you are welcome to appear in person or send a letter on paper. "If Olaf Scholz becomes chancellor, the newspaper recommends, he can" go on a study trip to the north, where his social democratic friends will soon rule all countries - completely without fax. "
apr / ulz / dpa
