After UN fiasco: Former African president harshly criticizes Baerbock – “condescending.”
On the sidelines of a summit of African leaders in Nairobi, Botswana’s former President Mokgweetsi Masisi spoke to Bild in strong terms: “Perhaps Ms. Baerbock should have focused on doing her job in German diplomacy instead of trying to dictate to Nigerians where to build their toilets and telling Africans how to deal with elephants.” Masisi added: “Perhaps Germany would then have received more votes from Africa for the UN seat.”
And that kind of sort of rhymes with Baerbock, which also means to bungle.
Verbaerbockt?
“Baerbock blew it” – CDU/CSU calls for an inquiry into the Green Party politician following the UN defeat – CSU foreign policy expert Stephan Mayer is calling for an investigation into Germany’s failure to secure a seat on the UN Security Council. Former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock must answer questions before the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Following Germany’s failure to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the CDU/CSU is stepping up pressure on former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. CSU foreign policy expert Stephan Mayer is calling for the Green Party politician to be questioned in the Bundestag, as reported by “Bild.”
“We must thoroughly investigate the causes of this embarrassing election defeat,” Mayer said. To that end, he added, “it is absolutely essential that Annalena Baerbock answer questions from the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee.” The former foreign minister must explain “how and when her office took specific steps to mobilize majorities in support of Germany’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.”
Germany seeks to avoid becoming next UN climate host by accident – Australia and Turkey both want to host the COP31, and if neither back down the talks will be held in Germany.
Just look at what UNRWA accomplished. They did a smash up job.
Germany, France call for UN role to secure peace in Gaza – Despite Trump’s aversion to the United Nations, the proposal could gain traction should Arab countries join the push.
Berlin and Paris are pushing for the United Nations to play a key role in maintaining peace in Gaza as the next, and potentially thorniest phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan begins.
Germany slashes aid and development budget – Germany has cut its budget for international development by 8% and emergency aid has been halved. Aid agencies warn of drastic consequences.
The governing coalition of the conservatives (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD) has slashed the budget of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) by 8% to just under €10 billion ($11.47 billion).
Development Minister Reen Alabali Radovan (SPD) is clear about the impact of the cut: “My budget is down by around €910 million compared to the previous year. In view of increasing crises, Germany is investing far less in international cooperation than is actually urgently needed.”
And she “will continue to play a prominent role on the world stage.”
Former German Foreign Minister Baerbock starts UN job – Annalena Baerbock, former Green Party politician and foreign minister, has moved to New York to start her new job on September 9. Not everyone is happy that she will be presiding over the UN General Assembly…
Then, on June 2, she was elected as the new president of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. However, unlike her predecessors, Baerbock was not approved by the customary show of hands to signal unanimous approval, but through a secret ballot.
That means Sunday sermons. As in political sermons that sound nice to those giving them but never lead to anything other than nonbinding resolutions.
Like the one German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gave yesterday at the United Nations – the world’s most popular venue for Sonntagsreden.
Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock addressed the United Nations General Assembly before a vote for a U.N. resolution upholding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and calling for a cessation of hostilities after Russia’s invasion. Every country, she argued, had a duty to send a clear signal that the war was coming to an end. Addressing the 30 to 40 countries likely to abstain from the resolution, including China, India and South Africa, she noted: “Today each of us has to make a decision to stand in isolation with the oppressor or stand together for peace.”
The U.N. General Assembly then approved a nonbinding resolution Thursday that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that Moscow’s aggression must stop.
The resolution, drafted by Ukraine in consultation with its allies, passed 141-7, with 32 abstentions.
Good Lord. Is there any way one could make that sound any creepier?
“Ve must immediately pass this on to the Zentrale in Berlin!”
WHO, Germany launch new global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Republic of Germany will establish a new global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence, data, surveillance and analytics innovation. The Hub, based in Berlin and working with partners around the world, will lead innovations in data analytics across the largest network of global data to predict, prevent, detect prepare for and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks worldwide.
“I am delighted that WHO chose Berlin as its location and invite partners from all around the world to contribute to the WHO hub.”
Germany’s green dreams run into climate change reality – Berlin’s commitment to stay nuclear free complicates Europe’s push to lower emissions.
The contradictions in Germany’s energy policy are coming home to roost.
It’s struggling to balance efforts to combat climate change while at the same time shutting down its nuclear power plants.
Don’t sweat it, Germany. If you need any advice on how to improve things in the CO2 department just contact the folks in Washington.
“The rushed and improvised exit from nuclear power that some support is not our policy. Recent events prove that pretending otherwise is a pure illusion.”
Well received? “Berlin’s bid for UN Security Council seat was well received, but questions remain.”
I don’t have any questions. No way. Go with Venezuela. At least you know where the Venezuelans stand when it comes to the question of shouldering responsibility. They don’t stand there very well, of course, but at least you know where they stand. Germans just talk the talk. And don’t even get embarrassed when they get caught doing so.
Maas highlighted the fact that Germany is one of the largest UN contributors. He also expressed how grateful he was for the trust he felt was given to Germany at the UN, describing Berlin’s bid for a rotating Security Council seat as a way to try to give back some of the trust.
“We are shouldering responsibility already and we are prepared to shoulder responsibility in the future.”
Observing Hermann 