Das Progressive Zentrum

Olaf Scholz announced a fundamental shift in German foreign policy following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Find out what this means and what needs to follow in our April newsletter.

The first 100 days of Germany’s new administration were marked by crises. From yet another wave of Covid to the invasion of Ukraine, the coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals drastically reshifted their priorities. Daniela Schwarzer and Michael Werz discuss the implications for domestic policy and what this means for Europe and the transatlantic partnership.

How did the new German administration fare during its first 100 days in office? An Allensbach opinion poll commissioned by Das Progressive Zentrum shows that the coalition of the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Liberals is clearly perceived as a coalition for the future that stands for reform. However, the majority of the German population is concerned with how the effects of policies against climate change will affect them.

How is the new government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz faring both domestically and abroad 100 days after its inauguration?

Why are the spaces for arts and culture shrinking? And how can digital tools help to counter this development? Listen to the artist Anastasia Lemberg-Lvova and Gitte Zschoch, General Secretary of “ifa”, in a conversation about the role of artists and culture in our society and how funders and policymakers can better support cultural workers.

On January 25, 2022, a digital tool was launched to help civil society actors fund their projects. During the launch event, artists and policy-makers came together to talk about the current situation of cultural practitioners in Europe and to discuss visions for better supporting them.

Germany is facing a decade of transformation. Find out how this can be shaped in a socially just way in our latest newsletter. Also: All the recent publications and news from Das Progressive Zentrum.

After 16 years of watching and waiting, and in the face of enormous expectations, a new coalition government must quickly launch a new political era with a clear focus on the future.

A capital shaped by competing visions, an east German city in the midst of a comeback, and a sprawling post-industrial metropolis tackling 21st-century transformations head-on: The first of two delegation trips brought our New Urban Progress fellows to Berlin, Leipzig, and the Ruhr Valley – urban spaces in Germany that are defining the future of the city.

300 people from five European countries were interviewed about their image of the European Union. Among the interview participants in Germany, the peace narrative still takes hold, although inequalities in the distribution of wealth are strongly criticized. Concerns about the rule of law among eastern neighbors can be found, as well as concerns about ‘too much Europe’. For the future, most wish for a Europe of justice.

For the fifth year in a row, Innocracy 2021 brought together thinkers and doers from the fields of politics, academia, civil society, as well as arts and culture in Berlin. This year, we explored how we can democratise areas of our societies that are being removed from democratic control. At Innocracy, one aspect became very clear: Any radical change requires strong legitimation through democratic processes. Therefore, the answer to the multiple crises of the 21st century can not be less but only more democracy.

The next German government has a historic opportunity to set a progressive agenda for the coming decade. Read our newsletter to find out what’s at stake. Plus: All the latest publications & news from Das Progressive Zentrum.

The 2021 German Election brought a decisive vote for change: Merkel’s center-right party lost points, while the Social Democrats and the Greens made meaningful gains. But what are the implications? In this new episode of the “Talking Progress” podcast, Ricarda Lang, Jeremy Cliffe, and Tobias Dürr discuss how a new social-green-liberal coalition can be successful.

Under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, the beginning of the 2020s has also been politically marked by generation-defining elections. Less than one year after Joe Biden’s historic victory in the United States and half a year before France heads to the polls, Germany voted for change: Merkel’s center-right party lost points, while the Social Democrats and the Greens made meaningful gains. Ricarda Lang, Jeremy Cliffe, and Tobias Dürr discuss the implications.

On the occasion of the 2021 Bundestag election, Das Progressive Zentrum e.V. hosted the non-partisan “Great Election Night 2021” in the state representation of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Just two weeks before the 2021 German Election, Elisabeth Niejahr, Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff and moderator Sumi Somaskanda discussed how a post-Merkel Germany would affect the future of transatlantic relations. They also detailed what transatlantic actors can do to continue improving the transatlantic partnership at the city, state, and national levels.

Das Progressive Zentrum invites you to join the Innocracy Conference 2021. Together with renowned speakers, we want to explore how processes of democratisation can be answers to the multiple crises we are facing.

Robotisation, automation and digitalisation are transforming labour markets around the globe. While workers in Germany and around the world are aware of the potential benefits of technological change, they are also worried about losing their jobs. How concerned are workers and which political measures do they demand from their governments to deal with this transformation?

How can regulatory frameworks best serve people while also upholding democratic principles? Tune in to an exclusive one-on-one conversation between the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the Digital Age and Competition, Margrethe Vestager, and the Co-Chairman of the German Green Party, Robert Habeck.

The American Rescue Plan is pumping 1.9 trillion dollars into citizen’s pockets, the economy, and measures against the Covid-19 pandemic. What has this meant for cities and urban spaces? Two former mayors discuss how cities can use this funding to build back better.