German Security, Defense, and Foreign Policy Options

Germany’s approaching election could considerably alter the country’s approach to security, defense, and foreign policy. The impact on Europe and the transatlantic relationship could be equally significant. 

What are the positions of German political parties regarding key issues such as defense spending, NATO and EU enlargement, and support for Ukraine? 

As the table below shows, Germans have a choice of vastly divergent options.

What are the potential implications of these programs for Europe and the transatlantic relationship? Polls indicate that the next German government will almost certainly be a CDU-led coalition, but policy trade-offs will be needed for any multi-party agreement even if the platforms of the mainstream parties (CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP) largely converge. 

The following table, which excludes the AfD, the Left, and the BSW, all of which are highly unlikely to be part of any coalition, summarizes the potential implications of the mainstream parties’ programs, should each secure power in the next government.