Jeanette Süß is responsible for European and Franco-German affairs within the European Dialogue of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), an institute close to the German Liberal Party.
FIGAROVOX. - The German Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals on Wednesday concluded an agreement to jointly govern the first European economy and to open a new era after 16 years of Angela Merkel. Does this augur a change of course?
Jeanette SÜß. -
Yes clearly.
The new coalition contract wants to promote progress.
And we need it if we look at the situation in the rail sector, the administrative slowness and the lack of digitalization in this area as well as in education.
The Liberals and Greens want to put in place a new roadmap to make the taxation of GAFAs fair.
Jeanette Süß
As regards the European and international scene, we can expect more firmness in foreign policy, in particular with the creation of a real European ministry to strengthen the external services of the European Union. The Liberals and the Greens are more determined to act against the non-respect of human rights in China, they also call for more capacity to act with regard to the digital sovereignty of the European Union, by prioritizing on the protection of personal data and the establishment of a “level playing field” of GAFAs, that is to say a new roadmap to make the taxation of these giants more equitable, to name only a few fields of 'action where we can expect more momentum.
Will these three formations succeed in working together?
Our political culture focused on consensus, will probably allow the three political forces to work together.
This new coalition is undoubtedly an unprecedented political experience, but their will to act is important!
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Despite the differences between these three formations, the coalition talks were able to show that there was an openness and a willingness to listen to the other rather than perpetually opposing each other.
Frictions are likely to arise when it comes to implementing the policy outlined ... only on paper for now.
Hydrogen should indeed be produced on a large scale by 2030 and followed by offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Jeanette Süß
Their coalition “contract” is called “Daring for more progress. Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Sustainability ”and gives pride of place to environmental protection, in particular with an anticipated exit from coal in 2030, against 2038 previously. How will this exit from coal take place? Will Germany relaunch nuclear power?
The main problem, apart from the choice of energy sources, is the lack of investment.
In Germany, we are counting on investment in green energies, which should cover up to 80 "% of energy until 2030. Other technologies are expected, but for them to be developed, it would be necessary help companies invest and speed up approval procedures.
Rather than relying on coal or nuclear power, the construction of new gas-fired power stations should see the light of day.
Germany is banking on the development of hydrogen.
Hydrogen should indeed be produced on a large scale by 2030 and followed by
offshore
wind
farms
in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
The new government promises to legalize cannabis. How will this be received by public opinion, according to you?
Apart from the traditional right-wing electorate who can potentially be hurt by this measure, German society is quite open to discussion.
Obviously, care must be taken not to trivialize cannabis by making it accessible.
But the promoters of legalization want to use the income generated for more awareness campaigns on drugs and alcohol in general.
This would allow the police to focus their efforts on more serious crimes and the quality of the cannabis for sale will be monitored and available only in licensed stores.
Random checks have indeed shown that most of the cannabis that consumers buy on the street is cut off by other substances.
If this law is passed, it will have to be evaluated after four years to ensure its positive effects.