In Germany, Olaf Scholz unveiled a “national security strategy” for the first time. The Chancellor points to the threats posed by Russia and China to his country.
For the first time, Germany is acquiring ofa “national security strategy”, a concept unveiled this morning by Olaf Scholz. The chancellor who points to the threats posed by Russia but also China to his country.
The Middle Kingdom is thus designated as a “partner, a competitor and a systemic rival” acting against German interests and values. This security strategy aims at all-out vigilance to meet Germany’s new challenges.
Nothing natural for the heterogeneous coalition
“Security in the 21st century is not being spied on by China when chatting with friends or not being manipulated by Russian robots when browsing social networks”. This is how German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock today summarizes the state ofspirit of the German government. A firmness that is not self-evident, in a heterogeneous coalition bringing together the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals.
This kind of statement confirms that the head of German diplomacy, holding ofa hard line, managed to win against Olaf Scholz. The government agreement signed in 2021 certainly provided for the definition of an external and internal security policy. But the Russian attack on Ukraine has forced Germany, traditionally cautious on defense issues, to change the paradigm. And to broaden its vision of threats.
A focus on China
Trade with the Chinese accounts for 20% of Germany’s total trade. Considerable stakes for Berlin, which now does not spare its criticism of Beijing, accused of putting pressure on regional stability and international security, and of not respecting human rights.
In the document made public this morning, the Scholz government accuses China of wanting to reshape the international order and of claiming regional supremacy in an increasingly aggressive manner. These statements are obviously watched closely in Beijing, a few days ofa visit to Berlin by the Chinese Prime Minister.
Germany points to Moscow as a danger to Westerners
Berlin calls Russia the biggest threat to peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area for the foreseeable future. Olaf Scholz believes that Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine marks a change ofera for defense policy, which implies a rearmament of Germany. So Berlin will buy an Israeli anti-missile system for 4 billion ofeuros. But this questioning has limits, the Scholz government renounces to create a National Security Council on the model of the United States.