By Ewald König

‍

‍

The rivalry over foreign policy has a long history and many stories. I remember Horst Teltschik, who later became chairman of the Munich Security Conference. He was Chancellor Helmut Kohl's foreign policy advisor, and a very self-confident shaper of foreign policy for his boss. At that time, however, the Foreign Minister was also a strong figure, Hans-Dietrich Genscher; as a result, there was a lot of jealousy between the Chancellery and the Foreign Office, partly behind the scenes, partly on the open stage.

‍

When Gerhard Schröder was head of government and Joschka Fischer was foreign minister, foreign policy was once again in the hands of two strong players. The result was a constant scramble between the two. This was particularly evident in European politics. Fischer had to watch as the Chancellery seized European policy more and more. Schröder's clarification of who is a cook and who is a waiter is legendary.

‍

Under Angela Merkel, the balance of power was distributed differently. Their foreign ministers did not have the weight of their predecessors, especially Guido Westerwelle and certainly not Heiko Maas. Only Sigmar Gabriel had what it took, but he was only interim minister.

‍

The suspicious eyes of diplomatic and intelligence observers are now focussing on the new structure. It looks as if the trend of foreign policy expertise is continuing in the direction of the Chancellery. Merz had announced several times that he wanted to bundle central foreign and security policy decisions in the Chancellery due to the international interdependencies. It should not be forgotten that Merz was chairman of the Atlantic Bridge for many years and has built up good contacts, even if they may not help much under Donald Trump. But the designated head of government definitely has more foreign policy ambition than his predecessor.

‍

One indication of this is the plan to form the National Security Council and place it in the Chancellery. In a recent keynote speech, Merz announced that this National Security Council would be the centre of gravity for the government's collective political decision-making on all key issues of foreign policy, security policy, development policy and European policy. A clear statement that the new Foreign Minister will have to get used to.

‍

The plan to form the National Security Council and establish it in the Chancellery is also an indication of this. In a keynote speech, Merz recently announced that this National Security Council should be the linchpin for the government's collective political decision-making on all key issues of foreign policy, security policy, development policy and European policy. A clear statement that the new foreign minister will have to get used to.

‍

The new structures and Merz's ambitions could finally help to create a unified foreign policy that is no longer torn between the diplomatic, humanitarian, security and financial interests of the Federal Chancellery, the Foreign Office, the Development Aid Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

‍

In Greek mythology, the image of Argus' eyes goes back to the giant Argus, who was ordered by the jealous Hera to keep a close eye on Zeus and his lover. The motif of jealousy can be applied here to the relationship between the Federal Foreign Office and the Chancellery. And foreign countries are watching closely.

‍

‍