McKenna Long & Aldridge Hosts Egon Kochanke, Minister, Economic Department, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

September 22, 2005

Who's In Charge Here?:
A Post-Election Analysis of Germany's Recent Election

McKenna Long & Aldridge's Government Affairs practice recently held a Government Affairs Breakfast Briefing featuring:

Egon Kochanke, Minister, Economic Department, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington, DC

Mr. Egon Kochanke, just-arrived Minister, Economic Department, at the German Embassy in Washington, provided an important analysis of the German national elections which took place on Sunday, September 18. The election results have been characterized by some as reminiscent of "Bush v. Gore" in its uncertain implications for the future shape of the German government. It is clear that a very complicated and difficult road lies ahead in terms of the task of putting together an effective coalition government.

The elections reflect a surprising level of political turmoil and uncertainty as well as the current state of the German economy. Only recently labeled by some as the new "sick man of Europe", the Economist last month stated that Germany "has won a new competitive edge over France, Italy, the Netherlands and even Britain… It is not surprising that both profits and the [German] stockmarket have been rising sharply" due to Germany's corporate turnaround and strong export performance. Mr. Kochanke provided insight into the performance at the polls by both major contending parties and what the next steps are likely to be.

Egon Kochanke is well-suited to discussing these matters. He has been a member of the German Federal Foreign Office for 25 years, with postings in Ottawa, Monrovia, Bonn, London, Tel Aviv, and Berlin, his most recent assignment. During this time he has served in many roles, including Private Secretary to the State Secretary, Political Counsellor, Counsellor in the Parliamentary and Cabinet Bureau and Deputy Head of Mission.