The three-party coalition government - the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Green Party and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) - in Germany collapsed just as former US President Donald Trump was re-elected and will return to power in the US. Germany is a pillar of the EU and the leading economy in the EU. Political instability due to the government crisis like this forces Germany to be more preoccupied with itself, unable to promote its role and influence in the EU, in Europe and in the world as before.
The EU is currently in a very difficult situation due to the negative impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as the confrontation between the Western bloc and Russia. The EU is also troubled by the refugee and immigration problem. The economy of the EU in general and of most EU members in particular remains pessimistic about the current situation as well as about the future prospects.
Meanwhile, the US presidential election has come to an end. The EU has also prepared very early to deal with the possibility of Mr. Trump returning to power in the US, but this is not easy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he would let parliament vote on the government in January next year and hold an early general election in March 2025, before the regular parliamentary election in the second half of the year. The FDP and the opposition demanded that Mr. Scholz immediately hold an early parliamentary election. Mr. Scholz could continue to govern with a minority government and not hold an early general election immediately because he wanted to take advantage of the time to salvage the SPD.
Germany, politically and socially, is unlikely to be a reliable support for the EU as it has been in the past, in times of increasing turmoil and expected to become even stronger after Mr. Trump officially takes office as President of the United States again. Mr. Trump will lead the United States for the next 4 years, but it will not be an easy time for the EU.
The government crisis in Germany has weakened the EU and made it difficult in many aspects. The EU has realized this and has hastily discussed it within the EU framework and the European Political Community forum at high-level meetings in Hungary last weekend. The EU has determined that it must create and strengthen internal unity and solidarity, and must quickly promote economic growth. The government crisis in Germany has forced the EU to brace itself and act more on its own.
