When the German chancellor compares coronavirus with 1945, one wonders: why is there more - clumsiness or cynicism? “Germany has never faced such challenges since the end of World War II,” Chancellor Merkel began her television appearance before the nation.
Not a single chancellor before her allowed herself to use comparisons with the war even in the most difficult situations. Firstly, this is a violation of the unwritten code of ethics, which does not allow German politicians to use language related to the Second World War to explain the current situation in the country.
Such comparisons will always cause associations with the Third Reich. And although Merkel applied this formulation when speaking of coronavirus, everyone immediately thought about the destroyed Germany as a result of World War II, which Germany unleashed.
Such statements force burghers to flee to stores to buy what is needed and what is not needed at all. How else? After all, the chancellor herself compared the situation with the Second World War. This statement did not cause general panic just because Merkel did not declare a state of emergency in the country. Although according to all her words, by gestures, it was clear that she really wanted to do this. However, the issue of declaring a state of emergency in Germany is a matter of several days. It will inevitably be announced tomorrow or Sunday. And again, everyone will remember her words about the Second World War.
What feelings will embrace the Germans? The feeling that the country has lost the war and is paying for its deeds? In this case, they will have to look for the guilty party for their troubles, and I'm not at all sure that they will not think about Russia. In the modern world of Western civilization and democratic values according to the Western model, it is fashionable to blame Russians for all troubles.
True, this primarily concerns politicians. Society is in a completely different mood. The Germans mostly react calmly, confidently and consolidated. For example, in the house in which I live, on the second day after the pandemic was announced, an announcement appeared of several residents of the house with a proposal to provide assistance. They wrote down their names, phone numbers and offered elderly and old people support - to make purchases for them, go to the pharmacy or provide all possible assistance at home. If on the first day there were two surnames, now the sheet is written out - there are more than a dozen surnames and phone numbers.
But back to Frau Merkel. Before speaking to the nation, Merkel was in a lethargic dream. While Health Minister Jens Spahn, Home Secretary Horst Seehofer and several other politicians made daily statements on how to deal with coronavirus, Merkel was hiding somewhere in the back streets of her department. At least that's what they say in German society.
For several weeks, Merkel avoided appearing in public, did not give an interview, and did not comment on the seriousness of the situation in the country.
On the one hand, this is her typical line of behavior. She waits until everyone speaks out, until the general mood in the country is clear, draws her conclusions, appears on the screen and makes her speech. It was wonderful not in a pandemic. However, when the population is in a state of almost panic, it can be expected that the first leader of the country will say some specific words. And certainly, the comparison with the war that Germany is responsible for was blatant.
Apparently, Merkel was already so resigned to the idea that she would free her chair that she could not find the right words.
She definitely had something to talk about. Germany, which is still called the locomotive of Europe, is gradually turning into a trailer car of the United States of America. This became especially clear precisely in these days - the days of the pandemic and general uncertainty. Germany obediently lags behind the military doctrine of the United States and NATO. This could somehow be explained in the years of the Cold War, when Germany was divided into two countries, and Berlin was completely surrounded by a wall. But times have changed, the situation is completely different. The United States has clearly lost the role of world leader and can no longer claim the position of chief chef, to which all European countries, including Germany, are subordinate.
What then is the benefit of Germany, which claims to be shaping its policy only on the basis of its own interests? Why is Germany, which already suffers from unlawful pressure from the United States, for example during the construction of Nord Stream 2, have to participate in military preparations for a possible clash with Russia?
Rather, one would expect that German business (and German politicians) will try to find a Vivendi modus in which its own interests will be respected and the dignity and honor of the country itself will not be affected. However, this does not happen.
Why is Germany still adhering to the line of North Atlantic solidarity? Is the sense of duty, which is talked about so much in Germany, prevail in determining the country's foreign political line?
Of course, Germany is very indebted to the United States of America, and this applies not only to finance, but also to political support after the Second World War. True, there are certain doubts here. Can this support be considered disinterested? Those rules and laws that were imposed on Germany by the United States of America, in many respects put this country in a subordinate position, in which Berlin must always and in everything look back at Washington. For example, on the issue of lifting sanctions against Russia.
In the current situation of general quarantine, the surest thing Germany could do is to abandon the sanctions policy. This will relieve the German economy, will normalize relations with the eastern neighbor, and prevent the escalation of tension in the East. German anti-sanction policy could be the beginning of a new political era in Europe - an era without mutual pressure, sanctions or blackmail by these sanctions.
It is hoped that the German Chancellor or someone who comes to his place will be able to really assess the situation and take the right measures not only with respect to the coronavirus, but also politically in relation to its strategic partner - Russia.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.