Don’t mention the war: in Germany, politicians are hiding the truth about defence spending | Paul Taylor
By centring the discourse on immigration, MPs have handed support to the far right – and hidden a ticking economic timebomb from voters
The candidates to lead Germany’s next government are avoiding telling voters painful truths before Sunday’s crucial general election about Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coming disengagement of the US from Europe and the huge defence funding that is needed. Instead, the debate has largely focused on how to revive the ailing German economy after two years of recession and how to control migration, which has fuelled support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland.
The conservative CDU/CSU leader, Friedrich Merz, has swerved speaking about the need for massive borrowing to pay for a surge in defence spending because many of his supporters oppose extra debt. The Social Democratic (SPD) chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is dodging discussion of sending German troops to Ukraine as part of a possible European security force if a ceasefire agreement is reached because part of his political base is either anti-militarist or Russia-friendly. After an emergency European summit on Ukraine in Paris on Monday, an irritable Scholz said talk of boots on the ground was “highly inappropriate”.
Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre
Continue reading...Topics
-
Keir Starmer urged to ramp up defence spending – UK politics live
This is ‘probably one of the most alarming times for Britain’s defence since the second world war’, says Lib Dem leader Ed Davey as he calls for more spending. The Democratic Unionist Party has ...The Guardian - 3h -
When Germany Votes, It Will Be About the Economy
The country’s competitiveness has stagnated and its once-powerful industries are suffering. Just ask these executives.The New York Times - 8h -
As Israel uses US-made AI models in war, concerns arise about tech’s role in who lives and who dies
U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing servicesABC News - 3d -
Veteran Ugandan politician charged with treason
Yahoo News - 6h -
Outcry as Trump withdraws support for research that mentions ‘climate’
US government stripping funds from domestic and overseas research amid warnings for health and public safety. The Trump administration is stripping away support for scientific research in the US ...The Guardian - 6h -
Don’t miss the first GamesBeat Engage event at SXSW
Heading to SXSW? You won’t want to miss the first GamesBeat Engage – an invite-only, salon-style gathering in Austin on March 11.VentureBeat - 1d -
Europe’s elite fears Trump, Musk and the truth
The EU's ruling class has become fanatical in its desire to censor.The Hill - 5h -
Trump and Zelensky’s war of words
The US and Ukrainian presidents get into a public row.BBC News - 1d -
Germany’s Far-Right Comeback
Germany’s attempts to “remember away” its Nazi past has instead paved the way for an extremist resurgence.The New York Times - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 12m -
French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech over Steve Bannon’s ‘Nazi’ salute
Jordan Bardella calls off US address after former Trump aide makes controversial gesture with outstretched arm onstage. The French far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Friday morning cancelled a ...The Guardian - 1h -
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 33m -
Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann charged with stalking
Julia Wandel allegedly sent letters, calls, WhatsApps and visited family of missing girl . A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded in custody after being charged with stalking ...The Guardian - 3h -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 44m
More in World
-
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 12m -
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 33m -
South Carolina man to be killed in US’s first firing squad execution in 15 years
Brad Sigmon, 67, chooses to be shot dead amid concerns that lethal injections have caused ‘excruciating’ pain. A South Carolina man on death row has chosen to be killed by firing squad, and if ...The Guardian - 35m -
European draws and Pep Guardiola on Haaland injury – live football news
Liverpool meet Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Arsenal could face Real Madrid in the quarter-final. A video explains just how the draw works. I was confused ...The Guardian - 40m -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 44m