Reference Message Network reported on May 13 that the German "Handelsblatt" website published an interview titled "The End of the West Is Inevitable" on May 10. The full text is excerpted as follows:

Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer warned of a democratic crisis in Germany. He believes, in an interview with our newspaper, that the current political situation in Germany has similarities with the Weimar Republic. He predicts that the world will enter a longer period of turmoil and cautions Europeans to prepare politically, technologically, and militarily for this.

The Scent of the Weimar Republic

Handelsblatt asked: Meuthen failed to win enough votes to become Chancellor in the first round of voting on June 7, which surprised the centrist parties. The Alternative for Germany camp cheered. Is the government district of Berlin wafting with the scent of the Weimar Republic?

Joschka Fischer replied: To be honest, I was deeply shocked. This is really terrible. There is a strong scent of the Weimar Republic there. If this attempt to form a democratic ruling coalition fails, then what happens next? Another election? Let the Alternative for Germany become the largest party? While watching the vote, I wondered whether this means the end of the old Federal Republic.

Question: Do you think so?

Answer: I think so. A grand coalition is being formed, at least it claims to be a grand coalition, but as we can see, it will have to govern with an unstable majority. The "epochal turning point" we are experiencing now is not only foreign policy-related, but also domestic. The stability of the old Federal Republic is declining.

Question: Why is this happening?

Answer: Mainly because of the rise of the Alternative for Germany. We are dealing with a right-wing system opposition. The Alternative for Germany does not want to be just one political option within the framework of the Federal Republic; it wants to reverse the history of the Federal Republic and return to the era before Adenauer's rule, to the time before close ties with the West were established. The Alternative for Germany wants to establish new relations with Russia and pursue nationalist policies. We must understand that the political landscape of the Federal Republic will no longer be "business as usual."

"The End of the West Is Inevitable"

Question: Let us look ahead. What role can or should a Germany governed by an unstable coalition play in Europe?

Answer: One major blunder of the Scholz government was its European policy. I never understood what Chancellor Scholz was doing. For me, given Germany's central location in Europe and its status as the strongest national economy in the EU and the third-largest in the world, it must define itself politically in terms of Europe. This means using our dominant position to benefit our partners. This includes strengthening Franco-German relations. Scholz has shaken this relationship, which is a serious mistake. I hope Meuthen can correct this.

Question: Are we not only witnessing the end of the old Federal Republic, but also the end of the West as a political entity?

Answer: The end of the West is inevitable, and this is caused by Trump's re-election. Trump gained the support of the majority of voters for the first time, and he could govern as he pleased. We are feeling the effects of this now. Without the United States, the West will no longer be the West but will be reduced to more or less Europe.

Question: So what should we do now?

Answer: Now we Europeans must rely on ourselves. We must develop our own strength, whether in the military field, economic-civilian field, or technological field. I agree with your view that we are dealing with global powers that are dividing spheres of influence. The question is, will we belong to one of these spheres of influence? Will someone tell us what to do? Or do we have the ability to decide for ourselves?

Question: France and Britain have great traditions of power politics, but both European countries are mired in debt and have little room to strengthen their military forces. Does this mean that Germany, which has long been skeptical about a strong military, is being tasked with becoming the armory of European democracies?

Answer: You could say so. We are currently experiencing the struggle to shape the world order of the 21st century. Whether this struggle can still be conducted peacefully will be a key issue. But let's not forget, the United States has the most severe debt problem. If Trump continues like this, the problems will worsen. We have no reason to rejoice. If America encounters major problems, it will have a significant impact on the global economy.

Question: What happens in the United States will not affect only the United States. Trump and his strategists clearly want to export the ideology of the "Make America Great Again" movement.

Answer: Undoubtedly, such considerations play a crucial role in Trump's Washington. But the key lies in how we respond in Europe.

Question: So what is your advice?

Answer: Ultimately, we Europeans must unite. We must strengthen Europe and make ourselves a power. Only in this way can we protect our interests while upholding our values. (Translated by Wang Qin)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503878394526974515/

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