Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (The Greens) is convinced that Europe can no longer depend on the United States for its protection. Speaking to the television channel Phoenix, the Green politician stated that America is set to withdraw from Europe, predicting this will represent a fundamental break from the traditional international order and place Germany in a wholly unfamiliar role. He believes that Europe must therefore assume responsibility for its own destiny militarily.
Fischer specifically addressed the relationship with the US, noting that based on his understanding of Donald Trump, the US has already broken internal ties with NATO, meaning that reliable support can no longer be counted on. While acknowledging that some of these major geopolitical events could not have been entirely predicted, he criticized the situation, stating that individual errors played a role. He remarked, “One was under the impression that everything was fine. Now one realizes: little is fine”.
On the domestic front, Fischer pointed out that German politics faces enormous challenges that extend beyond just the military sphere. These include finding ways to finance the welfare state, maintaining the competitiveness of the German economy, and executing digitalization. “It is an entire bouquet of challenges that Germany faces. We must tackle this vigorously” he advised.
The former minister also expressed a preference for previous leadership, having wished former Chancellor Merz more success than the present government, “in the interest of the country”. Looking ahead, Fischer warned that the coming years will reveal whether Germany will continue along the European path or adopt a nationalistic stance, similar to the AFD party. He dismissed this possibility, calling it “a catastrophe” that would jeopardize everything the Federal Republic has achieved since 1949.
