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German Political Foundations: A Unique Tool in German-American Relations
It might come as a surprise to many readers that Germany's major political parties maintain a base in Washington, D.C. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), and Free Democratic Party (FDP) are represented here through their political Stiftungen, or foundations, offspring of the head foundations in Germany. Germany is the only country with political foundations in the U.S. capital. American political parties have no equivalent, either at home or abroad.
Nestled in the shadows of the White House and the U.S. Capitol are the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (CDU-affiliated), the Hanns Seidel Foundation (CSU), the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (SPD), and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FDP). The mandate of these uniquely German institutions fits somewhere between lobbying and diplomacy. And their central location facilitates easy attendance for staff from Capitol Hill, think tanks, and universities at foundation events -- seminars, round-table discussions, working dinners, and breakfast meetings.
After many years in operation, the German political foundations have become an integral part of Washington's political landscape. Though the foundations reach out to the entire United States and Canada, the U.S. capital was chosen as their base because of the obvious easy access to U.S. politicians and foreign-affairs professionals.
Operating in the same political environment, the foundations and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany are connected by a synergistic relationship. Whereas the embassy acts as Germany's official representative, the political foundations serve as an informal channel of communication. Their off-the-record events attract a wider audience, explains German Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas Mattusek, and they also enjoy greater freedom of outreach than the embassy. "Diplomats must adhere to certain limitations. They cannot jump into the fray." In the United States the foundations present a united front with the German Embassy. But there is no denying that differences exist between them based on party affiliation.
The political foundations are an extension of Germany's modern party system, established along with the Federal Republic after World War II. The SPD was recreated out of the former party of the same name, which had been banned by the Nazi regime in 1933. The other parties were all new. The two Christian parties drew their support from Germany's...