Daniela Schwarzer, Otto Wolff Director of the Research Institute
Expertise: Transatlantic relations; developments in the EU; German foreign policy and German policy toward Europe
“This year’s presidential election has turned into a decision on liberal democracy in the US and America’s role in the world. For Europe, certainly, a Clinton victory would mean that we will have to take greater responsibility when it comes to foreign and security policy. Berlin will be key in shaping future transatlantic relations – Washington already sees Berlin as its most important point of contact within the EU.”
Henning Riecke, Head of Program, USA/Transatlantic Relations Program
Expertise: German and US foreign and security policy; European and transatlantic security policy
“This election campaign has damaged the US on the international stage. And the crisis will not be over with the election. The weight of extreme positions, a political culture of scandal, the diffuse hatred directed against the political establishment – all of this undermines political legitimacy and will restrict the government’s room for maneuver.”
Josef Braml, Editor-in-Chief, DGAP Yearbook
Expertise: Transatlantic relations and American views on world order; religion and politics in the United States
“There is not much the next president can do to improve America’s social and economic situation if most of his or her initiatives are gridlocked by Congress. Interest groups want to block government altogether in order to avoid taxes or corporate regulation. As the time bought by the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy starts to run out, this will be America’s biggest problem.”
Jana Puglierin, Head of Program, Alfred von Oppenheim Center for European Policy Studies
Expertise: European foreign, security, and defense policy; transatlantic relations
“Regardless of who wins the election, Europeans – and particularly Germans – are going to have to deliver more in the future. The Obama era will be remembered as a time when America’s leadership role in Europe began to shift. The White House has signaled to us that we can no longer outsource our foreign, and especially military, responsibilities to Washington.”
Stefan Meister, Head of Program on Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, Robert Bosch Center
Expertise: Russian foreign and security policy; EU-Russia relations
“For Russia’s leaders, this polarizing election battle between two very unpopular candidates has been more effective than any propaganda campaign. Though leaks and the release of (dis)information may have helped Candidate Trump, the Russian government’s main goal, rather than supporting a particular candidate, has simply been to let American democracy discredit itself.”
Svenja Sinjen, Head of Program, Future Forum Berlin
Expertise: Security and defense policy; transatlantic security relations/NATO; conflict management Syria/Iraq
“Clinton would again position the US more strongly as a global power, thereby demanding greater support from Europe and Germany – including military support. Should Trump become president, the price tag for America’s future NATO commitment could rise considerably for Europe. Germany and its European partners may well have to act without US assistance on certain serious crises in the future.”
Claudia Schmucker, Head of Program, Globalization and World Economy Program
Expertise: Transatlantic economic relations; globalization and the world economy; G7/G20; international economic organizations
“For TTIP and Europe’s trade with the US, this election campaign will lead to a phase of uncertainty, regardless of the outcome. Even under Hillary Clinton, the present trade negotiations will be postponed for a while as the US reconsiders its foreign trade policy.”
