Bad governments
It's a bureaucratic word, but it describes a huge issue.
The Bertelsmann Foundation is presenting its “Transformation Index” in Berlin today, which it compiles every two years.
One question is at the center: How is democracy doing?
The answer: pretty bad.
“The quality of democracy in developing and transition countries has continuously deteriorated over the past twenty years,” say the researchers.
"Today there are only 63 democracies compared to a majority of 74 autocracies." In the study period so far, never have so many countries been governed as poorly as they are today.
So a bleak diagnosis, what treatment do the authors recommend?
“In many cases, civil society actors are the last and most determined line of defense against increasing autocratization,” says the summary of the study.
A message that should also be relevant for everyone who is very worried about the rise of anti-democrats in Germany.
Yesterday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed the question of how democracy can be saved with the Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev.
Scholz also referred to the civil society commitment in the country and the many demonstrations against right-wing extremism.
This caused “significant irritation among the AfD,” said the Chancellor.
In defending democracy, he relies primarily on optimism for progress, Scholz continued.
“Confidence is central, that’s my belief.”
The only question is how this confidence gets to people.
At the moment, the economic and political prospects do not necessarily suggest spreading boundless optimism.
The Chancellor and his government would then come into play again to change this.
A few months ago, Krastev discussed polarization with Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck in SPIEGEL: "Germany is not prepared for shocks" - "We are working on it, Ivan"
Big promises
Recently there has been irritation about how strong the ties between Germany and Ukraine still remain.
On the one hand, the federal government (rightly) boasts that it is the second largest supporter of the attacked country worldwide after the USA.
On the other hand, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich's thought games about "freezing" the war raised doubts as to whether the much-invoked supporters' motto "as long as it takes" (as long as necessary) still applies in the Chancellor's party.
On Friday, Olaf Scholz tried to recapture the many spirits that have now escaped his bottle.
At a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as the so-called Weimar Triangle, the three politicians demonstrated great unity.
We will continue to support Ukraine as one, "our unity is our strength," said Scholz.
As if to prove this, Scholz, Macron and Tusk announced new joint initiatives.
They want to procure even more weapons for Ukraine on the world market and expand the production of military equipment together with Ukrainian partners.
A new coalition for long-range rocket artillery should be formed, Scholz announced, details would follow.
Maybe these details will follow today.
At the invitation of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the Ukraine Contact Group, a coalition of 50 countries, is meeting at the US Ramstein Air Force Base.
There is a very specific and detailed discussion here about how support for Ukraine can be improved.
Scholz indicated that the artillery issue would be discussed at this meeting.
So at the end of the day we should know whether the announcement of the Weimar Triangle was really more than a verbal calming pill.
You can read about the lack of Ukrainian defense here: “We won’t be able to hold out like this for long.”
Holy Trinity
The relationship between German Catholics and their Pope is in a deep crisis.
A month ago, Francis prohibited the German bishops from creating a new body, the so-called Synodal Council, in which laypeople and clergy should discuss and decide together on important fundamental questions of the church.
He referred to canon law.
The Catholic laity were outraged and disappointed, as it was the bishops who had pushed the synodal path forward and reached out to the laity.
There was also anger among the bishops.
The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, is traveling to Rome today for talks with the Vatican for a first crisis meeting.
The outcome of couples therapy is uncertain.
However, it is likely to help decide whether the Catholic Church continues to lose popularity or whether its decline in membership can be slowed down.
But the conflict also shows what a distorted image some German Catholics apparently have of their church leader.
Compared to his predecessor Benedict, Francis is considered modern, people-oriented and open to many reforms.
Decisions such as allowing the blessing of homosexual couples reinforced this image.
It has sometimes been forgotten that the Pope is, despite everything, not a revolutionary, but thinks similarly to his predecessors on many fundamental issues.
His more conservative side is now evident in the question of who has the sovereignty over liturgical interpretation in the church - the laity or the clergy?
For the Pope, apparently not even the question is legitimate.
A year ago in SPIEGEL, the historian Hubert Wolf described the Synodal Path as a failure: "It's about the survival of the Christian faith."
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Today's starting question: In which year was the D-Mark introduced?
Winner of the day...
...is the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas.
She will be awarded the Walter Rathenau Prize in Berlin today, with Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock giving the laudatory speech.
Beforehand, Kallas will be received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Every year, the Walter Rathenau Prize honors “an outstanding life’s work in foreign policy.”
Previous winners include former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kallas, 46, has been one of the clearest warnings not to let up in support for the country under attack.
No wonder, since Estonia shares a 300-kilometer-long border with Russia.
Many Estonians worry that their country could also become a victim of Putin's aggression at some point.
Because of her commitment to greater defense preparedness within Europe, some recently brought the Estonian head of government into play as a possible NATO Secretary General.
In fact, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte currently has the best chance of succeeding Jens Stoltenberg.
You can read a portrait of the award winner here: Europe's Cassandra
The latest reports from the night
Council of Europe complains about "growing inequality" in Germany:
Poverty and social exclusion in Germany are disproportionate to the country's wealth: This is the verdict of the Council of Europe.
The demands on the government are clear.
300,000 free condoms in the Olympic Village – but no bubbly:
the Olympics also stand for the exchange of athletes.
The organizers in Paris are taking precautions to ensure that this does not have any undesirable consequences.
Top chef Ferré receives three stars straight away:
Three stars straight away - only a few have achieved this feat before him: 35-year-old Fabien Ferré is given the highest honor by the Michelin restaurant guide.
I would particularly like to recommend this interview to you today:
Why are we letting our vacation go to waste, Ms. Nussbaum?
March will soon be over, which means it's high time to take the rest of your vacation.
The systematists among the employees know the calendar, plan early and block bridge days.
Creative chaots, on the other hand, commit late.
Business psychologist Cordula Nussbaum talks about the culture of taking time off and the role holiday shame plays in it.
I wish you an inspiring Tuesday.
Yours, Martin Knobbe, head of the SPIEGEL capital office