Germany and the USA - German sigh of relief after Biden's announcement
Germany's politicians are following the dramatic days in the US election campaign with astonishment. Reactions to Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race again show relief. But can the US Democrats still turn the campaign around and prevent Donald Trump from being re-elected?
Arbeitsminister Hubertus Heil (SPD) was sitting near the White House with campaigners of the presidential party for dinner when the news of Biden's step over their phones broke out. What are the first insights into the current situation from a German perspective?
"Biden's decision historic"
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wrote on the platform X, Biden's decision not to run again deserved "recognition". Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) paid "deep respect" to Biden. Heil said in a dpa-video interview in Washington: "The news of Joe Biden's decision has historical significance." For Germany and Europe, it is important that this is now "an open presidential race" again.
Current key question
Just before that, there was quite a commotion at the table of the Labor Minister. Among the half dozen long-standing advisors and campaigners of the US Democrats: Biden might not be able to lead a successful campaign due to his age. Then one of them saw the news of Biden's withdrawal - and all pulled out their cell phones.
"What a moment", said Heil, who was sitting over a green salad at the time. The mood changed suddenly - the focus was now on the next steps and the chances of Biden's deputy and preferred candidate Kamala Harris. The current question for Heil: "Will the Democrats be able to restart in the coming days or will fights break out now?"
"Kamala Harris can fight"
The Democrats know that the Republican challenger Trump would like to present them as a chaos party - that is clear. And they want to do everything to prevent that. At least in this round of democratic infighting, there is agreement: With Kamala Harris, that could work. The US head of the SPD-affiliated Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, Knut Dethlefsen, means Harris can fight, can "Department of Attack" - exactly what is needed in the campaign against Trump now. "We still have 102 days until the election", one of Heil's conversation partners grumbled. There is still enough time.
"It's an open race again"
Heil admitted dutifully to protocol that the German government had worked well with the Trump administration and was prepared for all scenarios. "We hope for the best and must also reckon with the difficult. But of course, my personal sympathies as a Democrat, as a Social Democrat, are with Kamala Harris."
Heil: "I hope she will be able to win with a strong campaign." His US conversation partners assumed "that there will be a shift within the party now." In other countries, right-wing populists had lost and Democrats had won - in France, for example, in Great Britain and in Poland. Heil: "It's encouraging that these elections here can also go well."
Impact on Germany of a Trump victory
Ukraine, missile defense, NATO - for Germany and Europe, the US election result has far-reaching consequences, said Heil. In fact, the Labor Minister had traveled to the US to see new approaches for the labor market with Artificial Intelligence (AI) - and perhaps draw lessons for Germany from that.
Next station of Heil's US-Tour: Houston, Texas. The US space-agency Nasa explores the potentials of AI on Earth as well. "It's about AI serving humans and not the other way around," Heil stated. Therefore, humans should not be dehumanized and computers should not take control. The same applies here, Heil added - it is crucial who will govern in the USA in the future. In general, right-wing populists usually prioritize the market over people with little regard.
- In light of the US Elections 2024, Germany's politicians are closely monitoring the current campaign with bated breath.
- The pullout of Joe Biden from the presidential race was a topic of interest for Olaf Scholz and Robert Habeck, both being part of the Federal government.
- The SPD's Arbeitsminister Hubertus Heil, currently in Washington, shared his thoughts on Biden's decision, terming it "historic."
- The focus of Heil and his colleagues shifted towards the probability of Kamala Harris successfully leading the US Democrats' campaign.
- The Democrats, as per Heil, are determined to avoid being labeled as a "chaos party" by Donald Trump's Republican opponents.
- According to Knut Dethlefsen, head of the SPD-affiliated Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, Kamala Harris possesses the necessary strength to counter Trump's attacks.
- The Democratic Party, with its internal conflicts resolved, could present a unified front in the remaining 102 days leading up to the US Elections 2024.
- In cases where right-wing populists have lost, Democrats have emerged victorious, providing a glimmer of hope in this year's US election campaign, as per Heil.
- The outcome of the US elections could significantly impact the labor market, missile defense, and NATO relations for countries like Germany and Europe.
- As part of his tour, Hubertus Heil is scheduled to visit Houston, Texas, to explore potential AI applications in the labor market, profile lessons for Germany, and discuss their implications for the US election result.
- Nasa, in Houston, USA, is exploring the potential of AI for humankind's benefit, and Heil believes that the choice of political leadership in the United States plays a crucial role in determining its application and impact.
