Germany’s center left is on the brink of oblivion – POLITICO

John Kampfner is a British author, broadcaster and commentator. His new book, “Braver New World: The Countries Daring to Do Things Others Won’t,” will be published in April. He is a regular POLITICO columnist.

“It is up to us to determine whether Germany will remain a strong country. No one else gets to decide. Not the White House, not the Great Hall of the People — and certainly not the Kremlin. We decide,” declared Lars Klingbeil, Germany’s vice chancellor, minister of finance and co-leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

“Doing this will pose challenges for each and every one of us. We will have to break habits, overcome gridlock; 2026 will require courage,” he added.