Briefing Paper

The German Elections: Implications for South Africa

“This paper discusses the runup to the 1995 German elections. It is argued that the outcome of elections is likely to have little impact on German policy towards South Africa which has remained constant and favourable even during the apartheid years. However, the crucial determinant of the intensity and warmth of relations remains South African domestic policy; this in turn will entice or scare-away German investors; who are among the largest foreign companies in SA.”