The so-called traffic light coalition is at an end. An experiment that began with great hope quickly collided with a reality that included war in Europe, inflation, and an economic downturn. An exhausting series of compromises drove the partners apart. The latest moose test – the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House – came at the moment when the Ampel bus was finally thrown off course. The only surprise is the timing.

Berlin is sending a fatal signal to the uncertainty among business and citizens that comes with the reorientation of US policy. And to the EU, which has long had to doubt the reliability of its strongest economic nation. To business representatives, whose view that the traffic light coalition has been too often concerned with itself, and too little with the economic situation, has been confirmed. And above all to the many citizens disillusioned with politics, who once again have the impression that those involved are more concerned with their own political future than grappling with solutions.

The Trump victory could have been an opportunity – and looking ahead, it must be. The opportunity to realise that the European Union and Germany will, in future, be in international competition with two economic powers that not only share the clear strategic goal of strengthening their position in key industries. China and the USA under Trump also have one thing in common: They are taking a maximally pragmatic rather than ideological approach.

In contrast, there are the Ampel coalition parties, who carry „sacred cows“ in front of them in order to sharpen their own profile, which must be protected from their partners. The SPD has no intention of touching the welfare state. The Greens want economic growth, but only where it suits their own core clientele. And the FDP is clinging to the debt brake, as if this alone could decide whether the 5 percent hurdle is reached.

The vacuum created by the end of the traffic light coalition offers the Union (CDU/CSU) the chance to fill it. But the first reaction, to bring about new elections as quickly as possible, is already threatening to lose trust. Because who knows whether this will make things more stable? What citizens and businesses need is certainly not robbing the grave of the coalition, and even more election campaigning, but bold steps towards a pragmatic realignment – this too could have been learned from the Trump election.