Rebecca Harms: Germany Faces a Huge Challenge
6- 30.12.2024, 13:17
- 4,680
Berlin has to become stronger and more principled.
On February 23, early parliamentary elections will be held in Germany. The key EU country will have a new government. What can we expect from the changes in Germany? Is Berlin ready for a more active role in the EU? What should Belarusians expect from the new German Chancellor? Charter97.org spoke about this and more with Rebecca Harms, the Vice-President of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and former Co-Chair of The Greens–European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament.
— What are your expectations from the upcoming elections in Germany?
— One priority for my political work was always the East of the continent. During not only the last three years with Chancellor Scholz and "the traffic light" coalition I was missing awareness and a clear position towards the risks which have been brewing in Moscow for quite a while.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022 there was a change in Germany, but never ever there was unity in the German government that Ukraine must win this war and Russia has to lose. Until today, the German government, including the Greens, has still a cautious, a bit anxious approach towards Russia. From my point of view, by this they are increasing the risks not only for Ukrainians, but also for everybody else in Europe.
There is hope that this will change after the elections in February 2025. But regarding the programs by the main political parties, I think that some more weapons, maybe even Taurus will be delivered by Chancellor Merz, but still I do not see a fundamental change towards the Russian aggression and the German response.
— How would you estimate the feeling in Germany regarding the security risks from the East? If one said, that one day Germany itself could become a target, would it be perceived as too far-fetched?
— Based on ongoing opinion polls in Germany, many conversations, public events, etc., I can say that the majority of Germans is ready to support Ukraine. At the same time there is another majority (there is an overlap) backing Scholz and his cautious approach, which he says, "is always focused on the best protection of Germany".
Too many Germans are still thinking that if we do not make a mistake, then we will not face aggression like Ukraine did. Too many of my compatriots tend to believe that Ukrainians "made a mistake" and are in this war because of their “mistake”. I know that this is totally wrong. But I observe since many years the success of Russian disinformation in Germany. The truth is, that whatever Ukraine would have done, the strong will of Ukrainians for true independence and democracy, the way out of the Russian empire is the real reason why Russia has started this war.
Especially in the Eastern part of Germany, the former GDR, many people remember Gorbachev as the supporter of democratic change and peaceful reunification. Like Moscow’s soldiers in 1945, his name is connected to the idea of liberation. Today they believe that everybody else in the former Warsaw Pact or Soviet Union Republic states — if only they would show respect towards Russia and its interests — could live in peace. You see here a lack of understanding of Gorbachev, of the end of the Soviet Union. The Germans in the East but also in the West are still lacking a true understanding of the whole postwar period in the GDR, its regime and its ties to Moscow. This makes it more difficult to build up real resilience against Russian aggression which goes on since years. Especially because the Germans began to speak about the so-called ‘freedom and democracy’ in the West.
— Some say that under new Trump's administration, America might reduce its support for Ukraine. If the role of the leader of the Ukraine-supporting coalition became vacant, would Germany be able to step up?
— Germany and other bigger EU countries like France didn't prepare for another Trump presidency. So, if Trump reduces the support, it will be a huge challenge to replace the American supply. There were many-many-many missed moments when it was clear that the Europeans had to do more for the security of their own countries and the entire continent.
Nearly three years, more than 1,000 days after the full-scale invasion in Ukraine began, we are still discussing how we can improve our ability to support Ukraine with weapons and to to defend our countries. Taking over the role of the United States in Ukraine’s defence, is really a huge challenge. It would be feasible, but only if the nations have the will. When I read that Chancellor Scholz has a telephone call with Trump to find out what is possible with the Trump administration to end the war, I'm very sceptical because this means he is first of all looking for an escape instead of getting ready for the worst case. Trump still means uncertainty. So, the other NATO states have to become stronger, more principled and better in their support of Ukraine and have to be reliable partners in the defence against Russia.
— If there is a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, then there is a risk, that Belarus might be considered as Russia's backyard, which is unacceptable from the Belarusian point of view because in 2020, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians bravely took to the streets, thousands of people remain in prison to this day.
— Together with colleagues and friends I am involved in an initiative to remember the German politician Werner Schulz. We created a prize to honor citizens who stand and work for human rights, especially in Eastern Partnership countries. As a jury, we chose as the first laureate of the ‘Werner Schulz Prize’ Ina Rumiantseva, founder of Razam Germany.
It is high time that we pay again more attention to Belarus. Putin and Lukashenka want Belarus as Russia's backyard. The courageous Belarusians who resisted shall not be forgotten but supported.
There were thousands and thousands of people rallying in Minsk and in other places in Belarus against the stolen vote. With nothing but violence and terror, Lukashenko could prevail. The least the West can and has to do is to pay serious attention to those people who still resist and are punished by the regime. Political prisoners should never be forgotten — this helps only dictators like Lukashenko.
— What would be your message to Belarusians who strive towards Western values and Europe?
— First of all, Belarusians should be proud of what they tried. In the end it was the terror regime which prevailed. Meanwhile, more people in Europe recognize that the fight for free elections in Belarus is part of a bigger fight. Ukrainians are defending their independence in a terrible war, in Georgia people are taking to the streets and standing up against Russification. The Belarusians who stood up against the stolen vote are taking part in a bigger fight against the re-colonization of some European territories by Moscow. It is not over, it is ongoing. Germany and Old Europe have to understand this fight in the right way: It is a bigger fight against the return of Russian imperialism.