G7, Ukraine and Pope Francis, what news for the German media
Correspondent Ard also 'says' about elections: "Germany at the crossroads"
BARI – Ukraine, with the fear that “only Europe” is taking on the risks, and the Pope, with his reflection on the “dangers and opportunities” of artificial intelligence : these are the key themes of the G7 from the perspective of the German public, according to Joerg Herbert Seisselberg, correspondent for Ard, Germany’s state broadcaster. The interview with the Dire agency takes place while the summit of heads of state and government is underway in the Apulian resort of Borgo Egnazia. “The G7 is an interesting forum for Germany, which was also founded almost 50 years ago by a German chancellor, Helmut Schmidt” is Seisselberg’s premise. Which goes on to analyze the individual dossiers. “Particular attention concerns Ukraine and the credit that will be decided during the summit” underlines the correspondent: “In the foreground, seen from Berlin, there is the need to ensure that taking risks it’s not just Europe.”
The German media are also giving a lot of space to the participation of Pope Francis, the first pontiff to speak at a G7 summit. “The confrontation scheduled in Borgo Egnazia for tomorrow is very interesting” underlines Seisselberg. “In Germany there is a lot of talk, just like the Pope does, both about the dangers and possibilities linked to artificial intelligence: for us it is a key topic“.
The interview also touches on the topic of the European elections, which produced results that were not favorable to either French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “Our head of government is objectively in difficulty“, says Seisselberg, mentioning the advance of the right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland (Afd), “but subjectively he remains a stoic character, who always feels at the helm of Europe’s leading industrial power and that is how he presents himself at the G7“. According to the correspondent, “Scholz’s perspective does not change at all due to the results of the European elections“.
On closer inspection, however, the vote would pose some problems. “In Germany the result is considered historic and certainly puts the government in difficulty” underlines Seisselberg. “There will soon be important elections in the eastern regions, precisely those where the AfD’s growth is strongest.” According to the journalist, “we will have to see how the CDU, Angela Merkel’s party, will behave in the face of the advance of the extreme right”. There would be two possible options, Seisselberg reasons: “Opening up, as has been done in Italy towards this political group, or continuing to say that coalitions cannot be formed with the AfD“.