The German Union faction, a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), finds itself fractured in its response to the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela, highlighting a growing divergence in European perspectives on transatlantic relations and international law.
Jürgen Hardt, the CDU’s foreign policy spokesman, offered a cautiously optimistic assessment, acknowledging Maduro’s long history of suppressing Venezuelan civil society and allegedly facilitating regional instability through terrorism and drug trafficking. He characterized a potential end to Maduro’s rule as a “signal of hope” for a population largely displaced by his regime. However, recognizing the relatively distanced European perspective, Hardt urged restraint in German and EU foreign policy, advocating for continued, measured analysis and diplomatic engagement with various stakeholders, including the United States, neighboring nations and Venezuelan contacts.
This measured approach contrasts sharply with the critique voiced by fellow CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter. He expressed serious concerns about the U.S. actions under the Trump administration, accusing Washington of abandoning the post-World War II rules-based international order. While acknowledging Venezuela’s repressive nature, Kiesewetter drew a stark comparison to Iran, arguing that the situation doesn’t warrant the same level of interventionist action. He warned of a return to a pre-1940s “doctrine of the strong” where spheres of influence and raw power dictate international relations, a departure from established international law.
Kiesewetter’s statement carries significant weight, signifying a desire within a key German political group for a more independent European foreign policy. He called for a wider European emancipation from U.S. influence, urging Europe to assert itself within its own sphere of responsibility, upholding international law and supporting allies like Canada and Denmark, which are facing pressure from the United States. Kiesewetter concluded with a pointed criticism of the Trump administration, suggesting its actions are eroding trust in American reliability on the world stage. The internal debate within the Union faction underscores a wider conversation within Europe about its relationship with the United States and the future of the international order.