The representatives of the German political foundations in India discussed the topics of the election campaigns in Germany and the possible outcome of the election at an event of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

Britta Petersen, Senior Fellow of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)

Peter Rimmele, Resident Representative, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)

Dr. Ronald Meinardus, Regional Director, Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNS)

Patrick Ruether, Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

Stefan Mentschel, Resident Representative, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (RLS)

Gurjit Singh, former Indian ambassador to Germany, and...

Padma Rao, former correspondent "Der Spiegel", discussed the implications of the election for the foreign policy of Germany and the Indo-German relations

At first the representatives of the political foundations, from their point of view, presented the most important issues of the electoral program of the parties they are affiliated with. Peter Rimmele, representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in India, focused on the topics of demographic change, the rise of populism, internal security, future of the EU as well as the issue of migration and presented the positions of the CDU/CSU on these topics. Although there were different topics emphasized, nevertheless Britta Petersen, Head of Outreach and Development at the ORF, perceived mainly harmony in the positions of the different partys.

Afterwards, Gurjit Singh, former Ambassador of India to Germany, and Padma Rao, former "Spiegel" correspondent for South Asia, focused on the significance of foreign policy and the possible consequences for German-Indian relations. They identified security, especially counterterrorism, cybersecurity and trade of arms, as well as direct investments of Germany in India as possible fields for the further development of cooperation. Singh expressed his hope that Germany would be rather assertive as the US-American in the attitude towards China and rather Japanese with a view of investing in the Indian economy.

In the ensuing discussion, the question was raised whether the German parties would be too indifferent towards the populist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). All representatives rejected this thesis and made clear that this topic is paid attention to and discussed by all parties. Mr. Rimmele had previously pointed out that it was the right strategy to seek a substantive confrontation with the AfD and not to demonize it. When asked why the election campaign in Germany is currently so boring, the participants of the discussion found various answers. While on the one hand the lively discussion in the social media was mentioned, others diagnosed the boredom of the election campaign due to the fact that the major political issues and disputes in Germany are already clarified. On the other hand, the political culture of Germany was mentioned, in which some see political struggles as a threat to the political stability. From the Indian point of view, the German election campaign has probably been seen as boring as well, because the election campaigns in India are much more intensive and controversial.