Beyond Merkelism: What Europeans expect of post-election Germany
Paradoxically, to fulfil many Europeans’ expectations, Berlin will need to revise the principles of Merkelism that created this trust
Experts & Staff
Jana Puglierin
Head, ECFR Berlin
Senior Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
German and European foreign, security and defence policy; Germany's role in Europe; transatlantic relations
Languages
German, English, Italian
Biography
Dr. Jana Puglierin is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and head of its Berlin office since January 2020. She also directs ECFR’s Re:Order project, which explores emerging visions of the global order, as well as the interplay between economic might and geopolitical influence.
She headed the Alfred von Oppenheim Centre for European Policy Studies at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) from December 2015 to December 2019, and was a research fellow with its Berlin Future Forum from September 2013 to November 2015. Before joining DGAP, she worked as an adviser for a member of the Bundestag on disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation, as well as German and European foreign and security policy. Between 2003 and 2010, she was researcher and lecturer to the chair of political science and contemporary history as well as in the program for North American studies at the University of Bonn. In summer 2010, she held a lectureship at the Chemnitz University of Technology.
After her Abitur in Siegen in 1997, she spent a year in Paris – where she completed the Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne. She then studied political science, public law, and sociology at the University of Bonn from 1998 to 2003, as well as at Venice International University for a semester in 2002. In studying for her doctorate at the University of Bonn, she focused on the life and thought of political scientist John Herz, and conducted research in the United States.
Puglierin was an associate at Stiftung Neue Verantwortung in Berlin from October 2010 to October 2011. In November 2017, she was a visiting fellow at the American-German Situation Room, a joint initiative of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies and the German Marshall Fund. She was part of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts between 2007 and 2016.
She has been a member and deputy spokesperson of the Advisory Board of the Federal Academy for Security Policy since June 2022. She is also a member of the board of the European Movement Germany and the board of the German Atlantic Society.
Her work focuses on German and European foreign, security, and defence policy, as well as Germany’s role in Europe and transatlantic relations.
14 Sep
Beyond Merkelism: What do Europeans expect from post-Merkel Germany?
What do European citizens expect from Germany’s next government, after 16 years of Angela Merkel? With little over a week to go until the elections, join a panel of pundits to analyse ECFR’s latest survey of attitudes of 16,000 citizens across 12 EU countries
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
What future for the transatlantic alliance?
How well does the transatlantic alliance still fit with the way that Europe and the United States now see their goals in foreign policy?
How to prevent Germany from becoming Eurosceptic
To engage more confidently with a world that is changing, outward-looking Germans need to shape a progressive new national identity before it is defined by the forces of isolation and exclusion
Crisis of confidence: How Europeans see their place in the world
Public faith in EU institutions has declined due to their handling of the covid-19 pandemic. However, citizens still believe in the need for greater cooperation
8 Jun
New Ideas for German Foreign Policy
Discussion with key representatives from the major parties on their party’s vision on German foreign & security policy. How are parties responding to the new challenges and how do they want to secure the support of the voters?
1 Jun
EU defence: Looking for a Strategic Compass
How do Europeans see the future of EU crisis management? What are the EU military capabilities? How does the EU’s defence initiatives complement those of NATO?
Direction of force: The EU’s Strategic Compass
The demands on EU crisis management, both military and civilian, have constantly risen, but there is a lack of the necessary means and political will to act collectively
12 Mar
Europäische Außenpolitik gestalten: Gespräch mit EAD Generalsekretär Stefano Sannino
Prioritäten & Herausforderungen Europäischer Außenpolitik, sowie Deutschlands Rolle in diesem Kontext
Publications
Transatlantic twilight: European public opinion and the long shadow of Trump
A new ECFR poll points to Europeans’ widespread (but not universal) reassessment of the transatlantic relationship, and extensive opportunities for the new US president to divide them if they do not work together
Keeping America close, Russia down, and China far away: How Europeans navigate a competitive world
European citizens are adapting slowly to the new geopolitical landscape. But leaders have an opportunity to build public consensus on Europe’s approach to China, the US, and Russia
The art of vassalisation: How Russia’s war on Ukraine has transformed transatlantic relations
Europeans’ response to Russia’s war on Ukraine confirms their profound dependence on the US – an unwise position given the security challenge in Europe and coming geopolitical competition with China
Beyond Merkelism: What Europeans expect of post-election Germany
Paradoxically, to fulfil many Europeans’ expectations, Berlin will need to revise the principles of Merkelism that created this trust
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
Crisis of confidence: How Europeans see their place in the world
Public faith in EU institutions has declined due to their handling of the covid-19 pandemic. However, citizens still believe in the need for greater cooperation
How to prevent Germany from becoming Eurosceptic
To engage more confidently with a world that is changing, outward-looking Germans need to shape a progressive new national identity before it is defined by the forces of isolation and exclusion
The crisis that made the European Union: European cohesion in the age of covid
The pandemic poses a threat to European cohesion by increasing economic divides and undermining trust in the EU and national governments
The big engine that might: How France and Germany can build a geopolitical Europe
The EU Coalition Explorer survey reveals the importance of Germany and France within the EU, and the impact they can have when they cooperate with each other
Health sovereignty: How to build a resilient European response to pandemics
Europe must improve its early warning systems, supply chain resilience, medical R&D, and cyber security and technology, to act decisively in future emergencies
Articles
From fence-sitter to pace-setter: How Merz’s Germany can lead Europe
On foreign policy, Germany’s new chancellor will be pulled between conservatism and radicalism. For Europe’s sake, he must choose the latter
Taiwan’s balancing act: Keeping the US in, China out, and domestic technology superior
Amid the global political turmoil, Taipei is aiming to keep Washington onside. But the arrival of the second Trump administration presents a parallel opportunity for Europe and Taiwan to deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest
How to prevent the next war in Europe: A five-point plan
Europe and Ukraine are on the brink of disaster. An emergency programme is needed that relieves the US, strengthens Ukraine—and prevents the war from spreading. This is what it could look like
The Merz doctrine: What a CDU-led government would mean for German foreign policy
Germany’s likely next chancellor shares his party’s pro-EU and Atlanticist instincts, but also the country’s wider reluctance to play an exceptional international role
War, peace, and populism: How Germany’s extremist parties are shaping its foreign policy debate
Germany’s populist parties have enjoyed electoral success with their “anti-establishment” foreign policy. The governing centrist coalition must act fast to address their dangerous anti-Western stance before it becomes mainstream
Home alone: Germany’s security and defence policy when its closest allies are gone
By relying extensively on France and the US for its security and defence, Germany could easily find itself isolated and at risk. Berlin needs to act fast
Turning point or turning back: German defence policy after Zeitenwende
Germany’s defence policy has come a long way in the last two years. But looking at the challenges that lie ahead for Germany, the current course falls short – and the toughest political debates are yet to come
Multilateral changes: Turn and face the strange
Russia’s war on Ukraine has exposed the weaknesses of the already creaking multilateral system. Europeans need to accept the radical changes that are under way and adapt their approach to international cooperation
Shapes of Multilateralisms Collection
This collection of nine insightful essays illuminates the strategies employed to advance European interests and values within this evolving global polity of overlapping cooperative frameworks
The German scapegoat: Berlin’s inevitable role in the US presidential election
Germany cannot avoid being dragged into election debates in the US. On defence, it should focus on its own national security interests
Specials
Multilateral Matchmaker
Multilateral coalitions are increasingly important for combatting global challenges. Europeans have many eligible – and untapped – potential partner countries, but to stand out they need to ensure their offer is as grounded in these partners’ interests as their own
European Sovereignty Index
The EU can overcome the new challenges it faces and can shape the global order. To achieve this, Europeans will need to improve their joint capacity to act
EU Cohesion Monitor
European cohesion is bouncing back after crisis years. The EU Cohesion Monitor presents new insights on cohesion as an underestimated source of strength and collective action in the EU
EU Coalition Explorer
The Coalition Explorer illustrates the expert opinions of more than 800 respondents who work on European policy and creates a visual understanding of the views held by Europe’s professional political class
European Solidarity Tracker
The European Solidarity Tracker collects and displays instances of pan-European solidarity throughout the coronavirus crisis
Podcasts
A new chapter in German politics
Mark Leonard welcomes Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin to discuss the inauguration of the new German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz
What’s next for Berlin?
Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Puglierin to unpack what Friedrich Merz’s rise to the chancellorship means for German politics—and for Europe
German elections: Impact and implications for Europe
Mark Leonard welcomes Searching for Deutschland co-hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin, and ECFR colleagues Piotr Buras and Marie Dumoulin, to discuss the impact of Germany’s federal election on the country and beyond
What comes next: European discord or European leadership?
The final episode of Searching for Deutschland—a special crossover with the World in 30 Minutes—sees experts from Berlin, London, Paris and Warsaw break down the…
Germany’s election results: Continuity or turning point?
On the morning after Germany’s election, Searching for Deutschland hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin were joined for a live webinar by ECFR colleagues Timo Lochocki and…
Ukraine and the US-Russia talks: Deterrence or disarray?
In Searching for Deutschland’s last pre-election episode, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin review the Munich Security Conference, the US-Russia talks on Ukraine, and what the new era…
Live from the Munich Security Conference: Europe’s wake-up call
In Munich, Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke, Camille Grand, Janka Oertel and Jana Puglierin to unpack this year’s security conference
Defence and the Zeitenwende: Glass half-empty or half-full?
Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin talk German defence and the future of the country’s armed forces. They review the first…
Euroscepticism in Germany: Normalisation or radicalisation?
This week, hosts Jeremy Cliffe and Jana Puglierin discuss German election campaign frontrunner Friedrich Merz’s bid to win Bundestag votes on migration with support from…
Europe confronts Trump: the politics of transatlantic relations
Mark Leonard welcomes Camille Lons, Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Jana Puglierin, José Ignacio Torreblanca and Arturo Varvelli to discuss how European capitals are responding to Trump’s dramatic return to the White House
Events
24 Feb
ECFR election insights: Will Germany lead or lag in Europe’s next foreign policy chapter?
Germany’s election results are in—now what? Join the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) for a timely post-election analysis in the early morning after results…
12 Feb
European views on a second Trump presidency: Time for pragmatism
The re-election of President Trump sent shockwaves across Europe and around the world. From a global perspective, Europeans are seemingly alone…
22 Nov
Samba Steps: Understanding Brazil’s global role and what it means for Europe
As global power dynamics shift amid intensifying US-China rivalry, the rise of assertive middle powers, and increased scepticism toward the international rules-based order, Europe finds…
17 Oct
Das ÜberLeben der Anderen: Warum Deutschlands Sicherheit global gedacht werden muss
Konflikte in Gaza, im Sudan und in der Ukraine, irreguläre Migration, Klimakrise und Extremismus: Die Welt wird von immer mehr gleichzeitig aufretenden Krisen erschüttert, die…
1 Jul
Dormant NATO: Future Prospects and Challenges
Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown how much the Europeans are still dependent on the US to ensure their security, despite all the talk of…
20 Jun
How to Manage Europe’s Green Technology Dependence on China: A Black Coffee Morning
As the global landscape shifts towards strategic rivalry between China and the advanced industrial economies of the West, Europe finds itself at a crossroads, needing…
6 Mar
Finding untapped partners for a multilateral world: A Black Coffee Morning
Multilateralism is in crisis. Europeans find it increasingly difficult to shape their environment and make themselves heard on the global stage. Their relative weight is…
22 Jan
Europe debates: EU-Reform und Ukraine-Erweiterung
Die EU muss sich reformieren, bevor sie die Ukraine (und andere Beitrittskandidaten) aufnimmt – nur so verhindert sie totale Dysfunktionalität
13 Jun
Europe’s global role in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine: The public perspective
What do Europeans think about Russia, China, and the war in Ukraine? Join a panel of policymakers and expert observers to analyse ECFR’s latest public opinion…
22 May
European defence: Expectations and demands of non-EU partners
This event is part of the German Forum on Security Policy, organised by the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS).
In the media
Jana Puglierin on the new German government’s plan to centralise foreign and European policy
Jana Puglierin on the new German government
Jana Puglierin on the debate about compulsory military service in Germany
Jana Puglierin on the potential reinstatement of compulsory military service in Germany
Jana Puglierin on the EU in the age of Trump and Putin