Merkel era ends leaving German science with a bright future
Outgoing German chancellor’s background in chemistry and physics gave her unique insight into the importance of stable funding
A new era in German politics has begun. Angela Merkel has retired after 16 years as c chancellor and a new coalition government is taking shape. Preliminary results show Merkel’s CDU party came a close second to the SPD, and it looks likely that the next chancellor will be the SPD’s Olaf Scholz.
Whoever takes over inherits a well-funded, world-class research base, thanks to long-term prioritisation of science by Merkel’s government. However, there are several areas where it appears Germany is lagging, including digitalisation, as well as politically sensitive issues concerning social inequalities within the university system.
Funding for science grew steadily under Merkel’s chancellorship. The budget of the research ministry was €8.5 billion (£7.3 billion) in 2005 when Merkel became chancellor. By 2021, it had grown to €20.8 billion. The Federal Statistical Office estimates total R&D spending was €109.5 billion in 2019, with about two-thirds coming from industry. This is 3.2% of its GDP, up from 2.5% in 2007, and the government is still aiming for 3.5%. It puts Germany above than the US (3.1%) and neck and neck with Japan.