Christopher F. Schuetze
Appearances
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
The highest share of German voters in decades flocked to the polls on Sunday for an election with massive consequences, not just for their country, but for all of Europe. The vote came amid deep dissatisfaction with the direction of the country's economy, with immigration in Germany, and with huge questions surrounding Germany's relationship with the United States.
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
One of the big questions heading into this vote was how well the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AFD, party would do. This is a party that's categorized as extremist by German intelligence, that has members who have been fined for using banned Nazi slogans, even members who have been accused of trying to overthrow the government.
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
And while they doubled their vote share from four years ago and have proven themselves to be a real force to be reckoned with in German politics, they will not be included in the new government.
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
The party that did win was the Christian Democrats, a center-right party led by Friedrich Merz, a businessman who has never run a government ministry or even a small city, but who promised to crack down on immigration into Germany and to roll back regulations and cut taxes in order to restart Germany's economic engine.
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
Merz also appears headed for what increasingly looks like a confrontation with the United States over foreign policy.
The Headlines
Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists
Mertz's victory came right on the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, and he has promised to lead a robust defense for the Ukrainians in Europe and Germany, supplying them with more weapons and basically taking on President Trump as he attempts to negotiate a peace with Russia that cuts out Ukraine and the Europeans.