Germany megathread

[Helsinkian]

Germans are starting to realise how foolish it was to give up nuclear power:

https://twitter.com/energybants/status/1555508616882540545

[Helsinkian]

Why is the German political class so hellbent on doing this fake balancing act between the United States and Russia? In Sweden the social democrats don't have nearly this same problem and, despite often criticizing the United States, still recognized Russia as a threat throughout the Cold War and in the current day. Why are so many German politicians so obsessed with trying to "understand" Russia's "concerns" and apologize for them? Baffling behavior.

Guilt over World War II

Then why does that guilt only lead them to feel an obligation toward Russia, but not toward Ukraine, even as millions of Ukrainians were also killed in WWII?

[Helsinkian]

German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level

Comments by CDU leader Friedrich Merz could see erosion of political ‘firewall’ separating conservatives and far right

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level

[Helsinkian]

The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is planning to transform Germany into an authoritarian state similar to Russia, the country’s vice-chancellor and economics minister, has warned, tacitly backing calls to ban the party.

[...] Habeck appeared to support calls to outlaw the party, while stressing the risks of such a move “dangerously backfiring” were it to fail.

“The damage that a failed attempt would cause would be massive. Which is why if a case is put, it would have to absolutely 100% stand up in court. It’s something you have to consider very carefully,” the Green politician told the magazine Stern.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/17/afd-plans-to-turn-germany-into-authoritarian-state-vice-chancellor-warns

What do people seeking to ban the AfD think would happen after they have succeeded? That all the AfD voters would just shrug their shoulders and go back to voting for the established parties? Would they not simply set up a new party -- one that is more careful in its messaging but which still fundamentally believes the same things?