„The world after is not the same as the world before”

A Turning Point in German Foreign Policy?

Abstract

Russia’s war in Ukraine has triggered a „change of era” in Europe, with direct consequences for German foreign policy. In a speech in the Bundestag on 27 February 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a new foreign policy direction, challenging principles on which Germany had been in consensus for the past 30 years. The speech marks the beginning of a „new era” in German foreign, security and energy policy. In his speech he has incorporated the logic of military deterrence into foreign policy by promising 100 billion euros of military investment and that German defence spending will reach 2 per cent of gross domestic product, meeting NATO’s expectations. The war made Germany realize that one of the pillars of its successful foreign policy, rapprochement with Russia, had failed, moreover, Germany was severely vulnerable to Russia due to its energy dependence. Energy transition targets cannot be met and maintaining German economic
competitiveness has become a major challenge. German foreign relations have shifted from pragmatism to a values-based foreign policy, and security policy has focused on strengthening European defence. Germany can only play a leading role in Europe that is commensurate with its weight if it is consistently at the forefront of
change. Germany itself will not be the same as it was, but there will be no complete turnaround in foreign policy: Germany will continue to reject unilateralism, while multilateralism, European and transatlantic solidarity will remain the cornerstones of German foreign policy.