Germany: High expectations from the G7 Summit in Bavaria

Michael Kappler’s famous photos for the German news agency dpa, from the G7 Summit in Slos Elmau, Bavaria in 2015, show then-host Chancellor Angela Merkel talking casually gesturing to former US President Obama who sits with his arms wide open on a bench. Behind them, the idyllic landscape of the Bavarian Alps. The current leaders of the G7 countries will be in the same scenario from tomorrow to Tuesday. It is doubtful, however, whether the atmosphere will allow such images.

Among the priorities set by Germany for its presidency were economic stability, preparedness for health crises, sustainable investment and partnerships for a sustainable planet. It is obvious that before the first half of 2022 is even completed, reality has highlighted different needs – even a new order of things. The only thing that remains the same in both German Summits is the του spirit of Vladimir Putin. The Russian president was expelled from the G8 in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and now his invasion of Ukraine has overturned all planning, affecting world politics.

At this year’s summit, however, the German presidency, in addition to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has also invited leaders of countries that board two boats because of their economic ties with Russia, such as South Africa and India. The two countries abstained in the UN resolution condemning Russia. The German rationale, however, is that these countries should not be driven even deeper into the Kremlin’s arms, but also that they have an important role to play in the global effort to protect the climate. Argentina, Indonesia – chair of the G20 – and Senegal, chair of the African Union, have also been invited to the meeting.

Vladimir Putin will therefore be absent from the three-day Bavarian summit, but it is considered certain that he will dominate the confidential talks. The course of the war in Ukraine, the battle of armaments, the sanctions against Russia, the attitude of NATO and especially the crises that threaten global food security and European energy security, will concern the leaders of France, Germany, the USA, Japan, Italy, Canada and Great Britain, in a meeting that has gathered great expectations for substantial and not only communication results.

For the safety of high-ranking officials, Slos Elmaou and the surrounding area have been converted into a fortress: 16 km long fence, helipad, which will be reached by leaders from Munich airport by police helicopters, 18,000 police officers, border controls to prevent The entry of extremist protesters and the monitoring of the airspace, are just some of the measures that have been planned and will cost the organizers more than 180 million euros, at least 50 more than they were allocated for security in 2015. It is typical that in the Olympic The Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski resort has 260 containers set up by police, 25 prosecutors and seven judges. 50 of them can also be used as cells. The organizers obviously do not forget the violent events at the 2017 G20 Summit in Hamburg.

Police have already blocked an area of ​​at least four acres around the hotel since last Sunday, while drivers and pedestrians are constantly being checked. The residents of the area were informed in time about the restrictions on movement, even about what objects they had to remove from their yards, while the schools will remain closed and the lessons will be done online.

Of course, the Summit itself could take place online, as it did in the previous two years, due to the pandemic. Or it could even be held at the Chancellery in Berlin. “After the years of the pandemic, however, it is important that we meet in person and talk to each other in a familiar atmosphere, such as Slos Elmau,” said government spokesman Stephen Hempstrait, when asked. The results will show whether the effort and cost were ultimately worth it – the war in Ukraine, the pandemic measures, the economic, energy, climate and refugee crisis. If instead of statements of intent there are specific decisions or agreements, the meeting in Upper Bavaria will prove to be more relevant than ever.

Source: AMPE