Helmut Anheier, adjunct professor of public policy and social welfare at UCLA Luskin, co-authored a Project Syndicate commentary about what Germany must do for its next government to succeed following its recent political collapse. The shake-up, which has precipitated a “snap election” set for February 2025, and the political arguments that have followed — while not desirable — present opportunities for Germany moving forward, according to Anheier. While Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government did propose reforms following years of relative stagnation under former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership, Anheier writes, “some initiatives were introduced too hastily, and others are still awaiting implementation.” Others were derailed by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he explains. “The competing pressures to make progress on pre-agreed reforms and achieve a fundamental policy reset — combined with budget constraints and ideological differences — ultimately tore the coalition apart,” Anheier argues, offering four key areas that new German leadership will have to address.
Adjunct Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy
Helmut K. Anheier is Adjunct Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy, Professor of Sociology at the Hertie School in...
