CIU discusses German Federal Assembly Election with the 'Germany after Merkel' theme

The seminar titled ‘Germany after Merkel’, which was organized by the Cyprus International University (CIU), Center for Cyprus and Mediterranean Studies (CYPMED), discussed the Federal Assembly elections held in Germany last week, including the developments during the election campaign, possible coalition options, and how the German foreign policy will take shape in the post-Merkel era.

After Angela Merkel governed Germany for 16 years, the Federal Assembly elections that took place on 26th September 2021 saw the Social Democrat Party (SPD) take first place with a small difference, while the Christian Union Parties (CDU-CSU), completed the elections by coming in second place.

Also attending the seminar was CIU Board of Trustees Vice President, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Öztoprak, and one of Germany’s important think tanks, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Cyprus Office Director Prof. Dr. Hubert Faustmann, who gave information in relation to both the election campaign process and the possible coalition scenarios to be formed following the election.

In his speech made during the opening ceremony, CYPMED Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sertaç Sonan stated that apart from Germany’s importance as an international actor, that the change of their government is of extreme importance, not only for Germany but for the European Union and globally, with Sonan continuing, “In Germany for the first time after 16 years, a government is being established without Merkel to lead it”.

Providing information in relation to Prof. Dr. Hubert Faustmann’s resume and his works within his speech, Sonan stated that he believes that the discussion of current world political issues with experts, who have extensive knowledge on this subject, is very important for the academic development of students, and that such events will continue.

Following the imparting of information in relation to the developments during the Merkel era, Prof. Dr. Faustmann in his speech discussed the striking developments that took place during the election process and the period to follow, and the local and global issues that the new government to be formed will face.

Providing information in relation to the possible coalition scenarios after the elections, after his presentation, Faustmann answered the questions of the students and the academic staff, in relation to the possible outcomes of the change of the government in Germany, in terms of global politics.