b'SNAPSHOT: GERMANYS POLITICAL FUTURENEW GERMAN COALITION AGREEMENT TO IMPACT EUROZONES LARGEST ECONOMY.BY: DR. CARL-STEPHAN SCHFER AND ULRIKE AMORUSO-EICKHORNA fter 10 weeks of intensive work fol- However, it is not surprising that lowing the German elections of 26the coalition agreement sees the fight Sept. 2021, the coalition agreementagainst the coronavirus pandemic as for the legislative period through 2025the most urgent task. Other overarching was finalized. The parties that make upissues of importance are: tackling the the coalition, the SPD, the Greens and theclimate crisis, global competition, the FDP, accepted the 177-page agreementchanging way of doing business through entitled Dare to ProgressAlliance fordigitalisation, and demographic change Freedom, Justice and Sustainability.in Germany. In total, the federal cabinet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz consists of nineINNOVATION IS KEYmen and eight women. Below is informa- Innovation is a primary focus of the coali-tion on the ministries most important fortion agreement. The coalition will promote the seed sector, and relevant highlightstechnological, digital, social, and sustain-of the coalition agreement.able innovative strength. In addition, Economy and Climate Protectionbetter framework conditions for higherRobert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor. Ineducation, science and research are pro-the future there will be a Ministry forposed to make science more creative and Economy and Climate Protection withcompetitive. The coalition sees freedom a focus on transformingthe economyof science and research as the key to cre-toward climate neutrality.ative ideas to overcome the great chal- EnvironmentSteffi Lemke,lenges of our time. Minister for the Environment, NatureAdditionally, universities and uni-Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Theversities of applied sciences (HAW) are guiding principles for this ministry areto be strengthened as the heart of the the 17 Global Sustainable Developmentscience system. Innovation and transfer Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. from basic research to application will beUlrike Amoruso-EickhornEducationandResearchpromoted and accelerated. Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Minister forThe share of total government Education and Research. The coalitionexpenditure on research and develop-agreement emphasises the importance ofment will increase to 3.5 per cent of GDP strong science and research as guaran- by 2025.tors of prosperity, quality of life, social cohesion, and a sustainable society. RESEARCH Food and Agriculture - CemIn the area of research, the focus for the zedmir, Federal Minister for Foodfuture rallies around climate, climate and Agriculture. The focus is on animpacts, biodiversity, sustainability, the agriculture, with the goals of environ- earth system and corresponding adap-mental protection and resource conser- tation strategies, and a sustainable agri-vation (organic farming), as well as greatcultural and food system. Also covered emphasis on animal welfare and biodiver- is technological sovereignty and the sity.potential of digitalization, e.g., in artificial EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 7'