Olaf Scholz’s approach to Europe and China risks leading Germany down the path of old failures
- The German chancellor has faced a series of challenges in his first year in office, putting his diplomatic skills and political pragmatism to the test
- His efforts to defend German interests and compete for the leadership of Europe have drawn the ire of allies and muddled European policy
For the German head of government, who seeks to fill the void Angela Merkel left behind as de facto leader of Europe, it is an indefensible track record and adjustments need to be made.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war forced Scholz and 26 other European heads of state to quickly look for countermeasures, and for the most part the European Union has acted as a united front. Last week, the EU passed its ninth sanctions package against Russia.
However, Germany all too often stands out as slowing down efforts. For example, Germany only advocated in favour of an oil embargo against Moscow when decoupling from Russian oil appeared safe.
French President Emmanuel Macron said at the EU summit in October that, “it is neither good for Germany nor Europe if Germany isolates itself” as a result of the actions taken by Berlin.
Macron, in particular, has not enjoyed Scholz’s tenure thus far. For instance, there was Germany’s purchase of US fighter jets as the Tornado successor model for Nato’s “nuclear sharing” mission. The Franco-German Eurofighter was suddenly obsolete.
Moreover, in Scholz’s quest to lead the EU, he launched the European Sky Shield Initiative, a proposed project to build a better European air defence system, without bringing France on board. Fifteen European countries – but not France – have declared themselves members.
The European External Action Service – the diplomatic service and combined foreign and defence ministry of the EU – has called for a harder line towards China, viewing it as a competitor with limited areas for potential cooperation.
Germany draws up new China trade policy: ‘Can’t let ourselves be blackmailed’
However, the idea that Scholz – a semi-Machiavellian politician – would make concessions to another party that could harm Germany’s economic interests, as well as his profile, remains inconceivable.
How German leader Olaf Scholz walked a fine line in China
It is pivotal for Scholz to find a balance between national interests and European loyalty while putting an end to the undignified quest for European leadership between him and Macron.
Continuing on the path he’s taken in his first year in office will mean resuming German failures of the past. After all, neither Germany’s natural gas partnership with Russia nor the profit-seeking in China championed as an investment in its gradual democratisation have worked that well for European interests as a whole.
Thomas O. Falk is a UK-based independent journalist and political analyst who is working on a PhD with a focus on German foreign policy during the Kohl and Merkel years