Lukashenka May Expect a “Surprise” When Forming a New Government in Germany
- 7.10.2021, 14:33
Supporters of tough measures against the dictator show the greatest interest in the country's foreign policy department.
The process of forming the German government is reaching a new level. Preliminary consultations between the Greens, Liberals, and Social Democrats are starting today in Berlin. These consultations actually put an end to the chancellor ambitions of Armin Laschet (CDU / CSU) and send Christian Democrats into opposition, writes German-Belarusian historian Alexander Fridman.
Both the composition of the negotiators and the statements of the party leaders show that the Greens show the greatest interest in the FRG foreign policy department. They are in favor of a tougher policy towards the Putin and Lukashenka regimes and have an excellent chance of taking control of this important foreign ministry. It should be noted that the migration crisis provoked by Lukashenka only convinced the Greens of the need for radical measures.
If the migration crisis most likely does not become the topic of negotiations between the Social Democrats, liberals, and the Greens (they are united in assessing Lukashenka's key role in this crisis), then they cannot but affect the fate of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Social Democrats are inclined to continue the project, while potential coalition partners insist on its complete termination ("Greens") or advocate a moratorium (liberals).
On the eve of the elections, and now during the formation of the coalition, the Kremlin resorted to "gas blackmail" (a sharp cut in supplies, which led to a rapid rise in gas prices) with the obvious goal of pushing Nord Stream 2. Coalition talks will show whether Moscow has chosen the right strategy. Today, however, we can say that the "gas blackmail" has significantly worsened the image of Moscow, finally undermining the reputation of Russia (USSR) as a "reliable energy supplier" that had existed since the 1970s and thus weakening the position of supporters of close economic cooperation with the Kremlin.