German Federal Elections: Europe Remains a Minor Matter

While US President Donald Trump and Russia's dictator Vladimir Putin are negotiating the future of Europe, European policy remains an afterthought in the German election campaign. "Without more responsibility for Europe, Germany will lose importance - at the very moment when Europe's future is being decided elsewhere," emphasises cep CEO Henning Vöpel.

Europe is present in the election manifestos, but only a few parties have outlined a clear strategy for the future. "The parties' ideas on European policy differ not only in terms of content, but also in their rhetoric and priorities," emphasises cep digital expert Anselm Küsters. Without a clear European policy direction, Germany could miss the opportunity to shape a strong European vision.

The party-political differences on the EU are therefore also reflected in specific issues. Reducing bureaucracy is one of the few issues on which there is agreement - but with completely different approaches. "With the exception of the Left Party, cutting red tape is a key concern for all parties. While the CDU/CSU, FDP, BSW and AfD want to abolish or suspend some reporting obligations under European law, the SPD and Greens are focusing on legal consolidation and digitalisation in order to make it easier for companies to comply with these requirements," explains Matthias Kullas, economic expert at cep.

According to the cep study, migration policy is another point of contention. While some parties are pursuing a purely security policy approach, others are focussing on a balance between restrictions and compliance with European obligations. "The election will also be a decision on which direction to take," says cep migration expert Andrea De Petris. There are also major differences between the parties on climate policy. The Bundestag election could also "become a vote on the EU's future climate policy", says cep researcher André Wolf.

(This paper is only available in German)