Theo Koll
Epochenbruch
('Watershed Moment')
The title of Germany's latest coalition agreement, 'Dare More Progress', has been dramatically rewritten by the Russian invasion of Ukraine – the daily maxim of the so-called 'traffic light coalition' consisting of parties of various hues is now: 'Daring to Progress'. Since Russia's attack on Ukraine, it seems obvious that a watershed moment is imminent. The extent to which the invasion caught Germany's politicians by surprise has now also become obvious. However, where will their hurriedly announced epochal change of direction lead? How will this alter the national and international circumstances of German politics? What impact does the attack on Ukraine have on the well-oiled wheels of globalisation – and thereby also on the prosperity promise which the stability of the past decades rested on? Whatever happens, the current model of prosperity thanks to cheap Russian energy and the seamless transfer of the globalisation profits to Germany from China is definitely no longer viable. The European, and particularly Germany's, peace dividend has been exhausted; once again, military muscle is the expensive order of the day, and of the future. For the time being, the imminent loss of this prosperity is still being cushioned by programmes amounting to billions. However, how will the potential end of this promise of prosperity and progress affect social cohesion, and Germany's sense of identity?
After the Neuhardenberg Speech held by TV journalist and head of television channel ZDF's Berlin studio Theo Koll, rbb24 Inforadio editor Harald Asel will not only welcome the speaker but also Julia von Blumenthal, the President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, as well as a professor at its Department of Social Sciences, and the diplomat and former Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger to a panel discussion.
