The author, returning to Berlin after a short sick leave in January, observed a familiar sight: discarded Christmas trees littering the sidewalks, accompanied by growing mounds of garbage bags. While the tree disposal system is designed for residents to leave their trees on the curb for collection, it has become common practice to also dispose of other refuse alongside them. This disregard for proper waste disposal extends beyond Christmas trees. Discarded furniture, appliances, and even mattresses are frequently abandoned throughout the city. While some argue this practice facilitates reuse, the author questions the appeal of scavenging items like mattresses likely soiled by animals. This cycle of accumulating trash and eventual collection repeats itself regularly, highlighting a recurring issue of waste management in Berlin.
The decline in public services, particularly the railway system, is another significant observation. Deutsche Bahn, once a reliable service, has become so unpredictable that the author now factors in significant delays when traveling. Train cancellations are commonplace, disrupting schedules and creating uncertainty. This unreliability extends beyond the railway; infrastructure issues plague the city. A bridge collapse in Dresden, frequent disruptions to the Berlin S-Bahn, and the dilapidated state of schools underscore a broader trend of neglect. The author’s daughter’s school experiences, including teacher absences and the lack of substitute teachers, highlight the severity of the teacher shortage. This lack of support also extends to immigrant children struggling with the German language, who receive inadequate assistance despite attending German schools for years.
These observations contrast sharply with the author’s experiences living in Kiev, Ukraine, a country at war. Despite the ongoing conflict, trains ran on time and car repairs were swiftly completed. This efficiency contrasts starkly with the three-month ordeal the author faced trying to get her car repaired in Berlin. The juxtaposition of a war-torn country functioning more efficiently in some aspects than Germany, a supposedly well-developed nation, underscores the gravity of the situation. The contrast further highlights the author’s surprise, attributed to a disparity between expectations and reality. Living in a society reveals the true nature of its inner workings, often defying preconceived notions derived from external perceptions.
Having previously lived in Russia for sixteen years, the author draws comparisons between the dysfunctional Russian state and the current state of Germany. While acknowledging that Germany is not as dysfunctional as Russia, the author emphasizes that Germans, having experienced a period of efficient governance and robust public services, now hold higher expectations for their government. This awareness of past functionality fuels their frustration with the current decline and leads them to demand better from their leaders. This discontent is reflected in the rise of the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), whose name cleverly capitalizes on the public’s desire for a different political direction.
The problems facing Germany are not unique, with other countries, like Sweden, experiencing similar issues with their railway systems. However, the scale of the problems in Germany, being a larger country, is magnified. The author emphasizes that the responsibility for this decline rests with all the mainstream German parties. The next government, regardless of its composition, faces the imperative of addressing these issues. Investing in infrastructure, improving schools, and rectifying the failed integration policy are crucial steps towards restoring public trust and improving the quality of life for German citizens.
The author concludes by highlighting the need for a strong Germany to lead Europe, a role that the EU desperately needs filled. However, the new German government, once formed, will likely be preoccupied with addressing domestic challenges. This internal focus may hinder Germany’s ability to effectively lead on the European stage, creating a potential void in leadership within the EU. The author’s experiences and observations paint a picture of a Germany grappling with declining public services, infrastructure issues, and growing public discontent, all of which pose significant challenges for the future of the country and its role in Europe.
