why it matters: A new “Grand Alliance” is ready to debut in Germany’s Federal Parliament, Bundestag. Leaded by Frederick Merz, the upcoming government plans to promote spending on science and technology-while expanding a one-so-so-ame invitation to the US researchers to transfer and continue its work in Europe.
The three largest political parties in Germany have agreed to form a new government by uniting the Center-rights Christian Democrats and the Christian Social Union with the central-left social democrats. While the Grand Alliance is nothing new, the upcoming mixture of ideologies includes some specially ambitious offers for science and technology policy formulation.
The 144-Page Agreement-All three parties are expected to win formal approval in the weeks to a new “super-hai-tech ministry” for the overseas, technology and aerospace. The scheme asks the current research and education to divide the Ministry of Research and Education, transfer research responsibilities and provide education to the federal ministry, senior citizens, women and youth in federal family affairs.
George Shoot, CEO of the Woakeswagen Foundation, called the plan a smart “realization”, which is naturally together. He argued that the research is deeply associated with technology and aerospace, while dividing science from education reflects a similar division within the European Union Council – one of the two central legislative bodies of the block, with the European Parliament.
The Grand alliance, led by CDU leader Frederick Merz, is placing a big bet on a scientific revival in Germany. The new super-ministry will target specific research and technology preferences, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, microchip development and manufacturing and fusion energy. The scheme asks Germany to carry forward an ambitious target: construction of the world’s first operational fusion reactor.
Germany has not yet submitted a budget to the proposed Super-Hai-Tech Ministry, but the coalition agreement underlines a clear money trajectory. It vows to increase annual support for major research organizations of the country annually through 2030.
The Grand Alliance Agreement also includes a plan to empower “scientific freedom”, including strict funding decisions related to strict science-powered criteria. Oncologist and researcher Eva Winkler said that this goal should be a no-brine. However, the current polarization coming from the US is also putting the most common theory for testing.
Germany may soon become a destination for researchers leaving the United States, where unprecedented budget cuts under another Trump administration have forced NOAA scientists to clean the toilet. The new European government is preparing an initiative called “1000 Minds” to make Germany more attractive to science and research professionals. Creating a smooth path to recruit valuable American and international talents could be the right step to reach that goal, Winkler suggested.
