Portside

The German media, always happy about another juicy anniversary, has for days been marking the date, sixty years ago, when the “Berlin Wall” was constructed - August 13 1961 – proof that the ”real-socialist” system in East Germany was a failure.

The LINKE party in Germany is one of the most important left-wing parties in Europe (perhaps the most important). Its congress a few days ago avoided a threatening split, elected two women as new co-chairs, and stressed militant unity on most issues

Germany could veer left or right, when countless jobs are gone, small businesses vanish, evictions multiply. Some omens foreshadow grave differences.

Germany, which is weathering the corona pandemic better than most countries, will soon face giant economic problems, with disaster threatening many citizens. Hard confrontations may well be in the offing, in the domestic and foreign spheres.

“If you want peace you must prepare for war," - despite its history, support for a growing and aggressive military finds many such rationalizations in today's Germany. Meanwhile, the peace movement continues to demand base closures.

The defeat of the GDR, despite its serious problems, did not mean that the system it was trying to develop, strengthen and improve – socialism – was proven false by its defeat.

With many, it was less joy than sighs of relief; neither Saxon nor Brandenburg voters gave the far-right, fascist-leaning Alternative for Germany (AfD) the Number One position it had hungered for.

Germany today, the right-wing AfD cries out, sounding like Adolf Hitler: 'Panicked nightmares are increasing in our land, especially unfortunately among blonde women! And this in our own country. It is insufferable!" And they are winning elections!

While Americans teetered, arguing as to which side gained more in the elections, Germans have been balancing on a seesaw of their own – which can also have decisive consequences.

The impasse in forming a government in Germany has dragged on since election day, September 24th – often like a traffic gridlock, hardly moving forward. But Germany is Europe’s main central power – and with no proper government! Angela Merkel still acts as boss, the old ruling cabinet holds on as caretakers, but it’s all on borrowed time, with no legitimacy.