Episode 69: Germany’s Shifting Political Landscape: Through the Lens of the Lower Saxony Elections

On this episode of the Zeitgeist, AICGS President Jeff Rathke, AICGS Senior Fellow and Director of Society, Culture, and Politics Program Eric Langenbacher and AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger discuss the result of Lower Saxony’s Landestag election on October 9 and what it illustrates about national politics in Germany. What are the major issues shaping the country’s political dynamics? Has the SPD’s relative success in Lower Saxony removed concerns about the party’s recent dive in nationwide public opinion? Is the Green Party, which will be part of 12 of Germany’s 16 state governments becoming a new centrist fixture in German politics? Will the stability of the federal government coalition come under threat as the FDP comes under pressure to strengthen its profile following a string of poor performances in recent state elections? And have observers underestimated the AfD’s appeal to German voters, especially in times of crisis? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, AICGS Non-Resident Senior Fellow Eric Langenbacher, AICGS Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program