Members of the pro-CDU Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) conducted an international press review in the aftermath of the German elections. The following is a summary of the reactions on the German election outcome. Additional reactions and opinions on the fate of the other parties are omitted.

USA

The US press is mainly concerned with the future German commitment to the mission in Afghanistan and possible economic reforms.

For instance the Wall Street Journal expressed its satisfaction with the results stressing Germany’s move towards market reform and “continuity in German foreign policy, including on Afghanistan, where the FDP is expected to continue to support Germany’s troop presence, while calling for an exit strategy in the medium term”.

The New York Times instead seems to be more critical about what can be expected from the new coalition government with respect to market reforms: “Rising budget deficits as a result of the economic crisis have drastically limited the kind of tax cuts on which the would-be coalition partners [FDP] campaigned.” Moreover, concerning Afghanistan, the New York Times expects a reopening of the debate on German military involvement. However, “analysts do not expect immediate change or a call for a quick removal of German troops.”

The Washington Post expects difficult times for the CDU-FDP coalition since Merkel’s Christian Democrats are likely to be reluctant towards realizing the Free Democrats’ plans for market reform. According to the Washington Post, the CDU will have to face a strong coalition partner which might become an obstacle for smooth cooperation.

Finally, the LA Times expresses its faith in the continuation of Germany’s commitment in Afghanistan even though the decision is unpopular with Germans.

Latin America

Reactions from Latin America were relatively reserved.

It is worth mentioning that, overall, the results were interpreted as a “movement to the right” (KAS). According to KAS, Merkel’s re-election was especially welcomed by the Venezuelan opposition. Instead, the Chilean press attributes Merkel’s success more to the good results of the FDP.

Concerning Germany’s relations to Latin America, no major changes are expected. In Peru, the press did not even mention anything with respect to a future outlook in German-Peruvian or German-Latin American relations. In the Mexican press a view was expressed that Latin America was not a “global player”. That is why Germany had no interest in the South American continent.

Rather, Germany is expected to focus on Afghanistan and economic recovery. In Chile, it is believed that the CDU’s and FDP’s respective programs have much in common. As a result, governing will be relatively smooth. By contrast, the Brazilian press maintains that the CDU-FDP government will have to face a strong opposition which, in turn, will render economic and social reforms more difficult.

Africa

The KAS conducted press reviews only in South Africa and Namibia, therefore it is questionable how representative the opinions are for the whole continent.

Apparently, the reception of the German elections was relatively low in both countries. In South Africa, the second Africa South America Summit (ASA) received more interest. However, KAS observers have reported that the general reception of the election results were ranging from neutral to slightly positive. Moreover, changes in German-South African relations are not expected.

Namibia’s German-language Newspaper “Die Tageszeitung” focused on the consequences of the elections on German-Namibian development cooperation, which is expected to remain stable.

Middle East

Also, the Middle East was not covered fully by the KAS press review.

With respect to the Arab press, it was reported that the Egyptian provided background information on the German elections. Only the “tabloid press” (KAS) published an opinion describing chancellor Merkel as “the most powerful women in the world”. Moreover, it was said that the outcome is more favorable to the US than to Russia. Differently, in the United Arab Emirates a clear line in German foreign policy concerning Iran was demanded and hopes for a global economic impetus expressed.

Reactions from Israel were documented in more detail. In general, the media  did not pay much attention to German elections. Nevertheless, the results did not remain unobserved.

According to KAS, Merkel has many sympathizers in Israel. Her stance on Israel is recognized as being favorable to Israel.

The newspaper Jedioth Aharonot is said to reacted enthusiastically on Merkel’s re-election. The chancelloris perceived as a “friend of Israel“ who does not blindly except all policy decisions of the Israeli government. With respect to Iran she has shown a clear position. Most importantly, Merkel is one of the few European politicians that accepted that Israel is threatened by radical Islam.

Similarily, the Jerusalem Post welcomes the next Merkel government. By contrast, the newspaper is more critical with the leader of new coalition party, Guido Westerwelle, who is seen as less Israel-friendly. For instance in 2006, Westerwelle spoke against  German participation at the UN Mission (UNSCR 1701) to disarm Hezbollah. In general, it is perceived that the FDP’s economic orientation favors good relations with Iran and the Arab world. It is remembered that in 1984 former FDP foreign minister Hans Dietrich Gentscher was the first European foreign minister seeking economic and political relations with Iran after the Islamic Revolution.

On the contrary, the newspaper Haaretz perceives Westerwelle as more Israel friendly than the Jerusalem Post. Further, Haaretz expects the CDU-FDP coalition to introduce liberal reforms and a clear pro-American foreign policy including measures to reduce antisemitism.

Asia

According to KAS, Asian countries showed divided opinions on the formation of a new CDU-FDP government.

In India, the media published mainly positive comments. In India, a German CDU-FDP leadership is often brought into relation with positive experience under earlier CDU-FDP coalitions, such as the ones under former chancellor Helmut Kohl. In Addition, this years election results were interpreted as the people’s preference for economic stability.

Differently, the Chinese Global Times focused more on the future of Sino-German relations. Earlier, this newspaper had reported about a worsening in bilateral relations. On the occasion of the German elections it cited political science professor Gerd Langguth who maintains that Merkel’s government is interested in good relations with China. Moreover, the newspaper expects the coalition will not work smoothly due to the CDU’s movement to the left over the last four years.

The Chinese version of the Global Times (Hanqiu Shibao) as well as the Guangming Daily, both directed by the Central Committee, do not expect any changes in German foreign policy. In particular, it is maintained that 90% of the parliamentarians will vote in favor of the Afghanistan mission despite the fact that 60% of the German population are against that decision. Other than the Indian media, both newspapers sustain that the coming CDU-FDP coalition differs from those of earlier times. Over the coming years, it will have to face several challenges, such as a strong opposition composed of the SPD, the Green Party,  and the leftist party (Die Linke). It is further believed that Merkel will most  likely reveal her true face as an “iron lady”.

The official newspaper of the Communist Party, the Renmin Ribao comments that the new German government has moved to the right, and will therefore be less social. In its Tuesday’s edition the newspaper asked why Merkel was re-elected. The answer given was that the Germans have an inflexible mentality. Moreover, having a PhD in Physics, Merkel possesses a reputation as an intellectual person, and as the first female German chancellor with roots in East-Germany, many women in the eastern parts voted for her.

The KAS press review in Japan has not been fully updated yet, but, according to sources of the KAS, Japanese media will most probably focus on German nuclear energy policy as well as economic policy in the near future.

Europe

Different reactions were recorded in EU member states as well as non-EU countries.

The British press generally welcomed the election-results which it sees as a continuity in Germany’s foreign policy. Above all, the British media hope for economic reforms and speculate about Germany’s future energy policy. Furthermore, the British press sees the possibility that the opposition will challenge Merkel’s government’s position on Afghanistan and Iran.

For the French media, the  election results were not unexpected. However, the press is aware that a new CDU government would not have been possible without the FDP. This, in turn, gives the FDP a strong negotiation position. In general, most newspapers welcome Merkel’s re-election. Only the newspaper “Liberación” speaks of a “German paradox” meaning that exactly at the hight of a global crisis of neoliberal policies the liberal FDP gets into government.

Germany’s neighboring country Poland welcomes a CDU-led government. Positive effects on German-Polish relations are expected. Yet, Poland is mostly hoping for Germany’s quick economic recovery and more protection against Russia.

Similarly, most Eastern and Central European countries, for instance Bulgaria, Latvia, or Czech Republic, wish for a relaunching of the German economy.

The Spanish press instead expressed a critical view on the consequences of a CDU-FDP-led German government on EU policies which are believed to become more conservative and less socially oriented.

Similarly to France, the election results were not surprising for the Media in the BENELUX countries. There was a general welcoming of CDU-FDP coalition. However, some doubts were expressed with respect to the compatibility of CDU and FDP programs. It is held that governing will not be easier than during Grand Coalition.

Instead, non-EU countries such as Turkey and Serbia concentrated more on the consequences of a German CDU-FDP government on their prospects of future EU membership. In Turkey, it is feared that the CDU will speak against a possible Turkish EU membership. By contrast, in Serbia, one counts on German support against the Dutch “No” to the EU Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia. The CDU-FDP coalition stands for continuity, thus meaning continued support for Serbia’s future EU membership.