Germany's newly formed government will not have much time to 'settle in', as the German G7 presidency began on 1 January. Analysts are calling this a sink or swim opportunity for the new Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Why? O. Scholz has neither the authority nor the level of recognition that Angela Merkel had. These same analysts believe that strengthening international cooperation on climate issues following the COP26 held in Glasgow in November will now depend largely on the German G7 presidency. Furthermore, the meeting of G7 heads of state and government planned for 26-28 June in Bavaria is considered an important stepping stone towards the 2022 climate plans. If we recall, in 2015, in that same location in Bavaria, but under Angela Merkel's leadership, the previous G7 leaders' meeting during a German presidency took place; the agreement reached back then on the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels by the end of the century led to the successful conclusion of the Paris Agreement 7 months later.
Photo: Mark Plotz