With a massive one trillion-euro debt-financed twin package for defense and infrastructure, Germany’s new government aims to future-proof the country in the years ahead. "Whatever it takes" – seems to be the motto of Friedrich Merz, Germany’s likely next chancellor. Merz, the leader of Germany’s conservative party, the CDU, alongside his expected coalition partner, the SPD, plans to pump huge amounts of money into defense considering Trump’s shift away from the EU and the threat posed by Russia. Additionally, up to 500 billion euros will be required to revamp Germany’s ailing infrastructure – and all this will be funded by debt. If the plans do pass through the German parliament, the Bundestag, will Germany once again be seen as a role model for Europe? And will the public support this massive rearmament and infrastructure overhaul? Our big question today: Can Germany tackle the crisis with debt?
Our guests:
Alexander Burilkow, expert on military and security issues
Malte Lehming, senior editor at the German daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel
Karolina Wigura, writer and sociologist from Poland
Chapters:
0:00 Shockwaves from Trump: Germany in desperate need of reform
4:00 Poland: high expectations and bad memories of German past
6:00 Can investment alone get the German economy back on track?
7:00 There is no plan B to the German debt reform
8:00 If Merz doesn’t deliver the populists will win the net elections
11:00 The two traumas of Poland
12:30 Will Germany come out of recession?
14:00 No investments will lead to social unrest in Germany
16:00 Will Germany manage to take on a leading role in European defense?
17:30 Should there be mandatory military service in Germany?
18:00 Is the new generation willing to fight a war?
19:00 This is why Poland is looking towards Finland
22:00 Can the European industry deliver arms in high volumes?
25:00 Germany does not have any other option at the moment
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