German FM-designate Wagner clearly regards China as a systemic rival when elaborating on his policy stance towards China. Both he and Merz come from the CDU and are considered loyal allies of the latter. It has been decades since a Chancellor and Foreign Minister were from the same party; analysts believe that the new government may adopt a more unified and tougher policy towards China.

According to the report by Table Media portal on April 28, the 62-year-old Wagner, who comes from the conservative CDU, will succeed the current Foreign Minister Baerbock from the Greens as Germany's new Foreign Minister.

The first CDU Foreign Minister in nearly 60 years

The new government led by incoming Chancellor Scholz - composed of the CDU, CSU and SPD - is expected to officially take office in early May, with the main cabinet positions to be announced on Monday.

The CDU plans to hold a small party congress in Berlin on Monday to approve the coalition agreement. The agreement also needs to be passed through an online vote by SPD members, which will end on Tuesday.

Wagner, from the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, is a policy expert. He will become the first CDU-affiliated Foreign Minister in nearly 60 years.

Wagner's China Policy Position: Clearly Regard China as a Systemic Rival

The incoming FM Wagner will be responsible for implementing the new China policy, emphasizing viewing China as Germany's institutional competitor. This positioning is an important consensus reached in the coalition negotiation talks between the Union and the SPD.

Wagner was born in Husum, holds a doctorate in law and is a reserve officer colonel in the Federal Defense Forces. He is a Protestant, married, and has three children. During his 16 years as a member of the Bundestag, he has repeatedly expressed his position on China publicly.

In November 2022, Wagner delivered an important speech in the Bundestag debate on China strategy.

At that time, Chancellor Scholz had just completed his first visit to China, which sparked widespread skepticism. Just before the visit, Scholz approved the China State-owned enterprise COSCO's investment in the "Tollerort" container terminal at the Hamburg port despite opposition from six cabinet departments, drawing criticism not only from the CDU but also from its ruling coalition partner, the Greens.

In his speech, Wagner used strong language. He pointed out that China "clearly aims to become the most powerful political, economic, and dominant country," and stated, "To achieve this goal, they are willing to use every means necessary."

Defend the International Rule-Based Order

Wagner called on the federal government to adopt clear and forceful policies towards China instead of merely pursuing personal diplomatic achievements. "We expect the federal government to take a clear stand and firmly defend the international rule-based order."

He called for Germany to jointly address challenges with "partners, friends, and allies." He pointed out that the EU has long defined China as a "partner, competitor, and systemic rival," and is now increasingly leaning towards systemic confrontation.

The China policy document released by the Union faction in 2023 also clearly states: "The policy of 'change for peace' has failed in the face of Russia and China."

Trend of the New Government's China Policy: More Unified, Tougher?

Wagner led the negotiations on foreign and defense policy issues within the CDU and facilitated the description of China as a major institutional rival. This change is also reflected in the new coalition agreement.

Will it lead to a tougher China policy? Possibly. Wagner's superior, incoming Chancellor Merz, also called for a tougher stance towards China in a speech at the Körber Foundation (Körber-Stiftung) in January.

Compared to the previous "red-green-light government" where there were differences of opinion on China policy - the Green foreign minister openly criticized China while the SPD chancellor showed pragmatism and compromise due to accommodating certain representatives of Chinese and German businesses - the new government is likely to show much greater consistency in its policies.

Since 1966, the foreign minister's position has traditionally been held by the smaller party in the ruling coalition. This year, the situation has changed - for the first time in decades, the Chancellor and Foreign Minister come from the same party. Especially given that Wagner is considered a loyal ally of Merkel, this may greatly reduce internal divisions.

"Unified" Diplomatic and Security Policy: "Single Departmentalism Will End"

Wagner emphasized that the future will break down departmental thinking and promote overall coherent, unified coordinated foreign and security policies. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, he stated that this is also the purpose of establishing the new National Security Council, which will coordinate the Chancellery, relevant ministries, and representatives from the federal states. Wagner stated: "The single departmentalism mindset will be ended."

Nevertheless, in the current highly unstable international situation, any prediction carries uncertainty. The new government will also face strong lobbying pressures from various interest groups. It can be said that in such turbulent times, Wagner, as the Foreign Minister, will have no honeymoon period and must quickly respond to a series of major challenges.

Cabinet Allocation Situation of the Coalition Government

After weeks of negotiations following the federal election in February, the Union and SPD finally reached a coalition agreement this month.

In the new cabinet, the CDU will control 7 out of 17 ministerial positions, including transportation, health, family affairs, and digitization departments. According to reports, Karin Pree will be appointed as the new Education Minister, and former MP Katharina Reiche will be responsible for economic and energy affairs.

So far, the CDU has not confirmed these nominations to DPA.

The SPD will occupy 7 positions, with Joint Chairman Lars Klingbeil expected to serve as Finance Minister, and current Defense Minister Pißlerius expected to remain in office.

The CSU will receive 3 positions, with Alexander Dobrindt likely to be the Interior Minister, and nominees for the Science and Agriculture Ministers will be announced on Monday.

Source: DW

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498470194390532634/

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