Are conservatives set to take back power in Germany?

Today Radio Schuman chews over the confidence vote in Germany, expected to hand a clear lead to the SPD’s conservative rivals, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), with Olivia Stroud, Euronews Berlin correspondent.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s political future is precarious. His coalition government of Social Democrats and Greens has lacked a majority since the liberal FDP exited.

On the international stage, Germany faces mounting challenges. The war in Ukraine continues unabated, Syria’s new coalition government is fragile, and Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency presents significant issues for Germany, the EU’s largest nation. Meanwhile, unprecedented political instability in France has left the Franco-German alliance—the engine of European integration—effectively stalled.

What lies ahead for Germany? Why are conservatives poised to reclaim power, and what coalition could take shape?

In the second segment of the podcast we look at the most important issues under discussion at today’s foreign affairs council.

In the last part of the show, Radio Schuman reveals the side jobs of some members of the European Parliament.

Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by  David Brodheim and Georgios Leivaditis. Music by Alexandre Jas.