After 16 years in office, Angela Merkel stepped down as Germany’s Chancellor in December 2021. In came a new government, the so-called ‘traffic light coalition’ made up of three parties: the Social Democrats (SPD, colour red), the Greens (Bündnis 90/die Grünen, colour green) and the Free Democrats (FDP, colour yellow).
At the federal level, Germany has always been ruled by two- party coalitions. A three-party coalition is, however, a new experience that has attracted some scepticism due to internal divisions over foreign and fiscal policies. Due to the conflict with Russia over Ukraine and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the new government has had no time for a honeymoon.
Taking stock of the new government’s first 100 days in office, a panel of experts from the Centre for German Transnational Relations at King’s College London discussed the roads (not) taken and future challenges and opportunities.
The discussion featured Dr Mareike Beck, Dr Alexander Clarkson, Dr Isabelle Hertner, and Professor Christoph Meyer. The event took place on 17 March, 2022, and was chaired by Dr Holger Stritzel.
