With elections for the European parliament early next month and the U.S. Presidential election on the horizon, campaigning in 2024 is heating up on both sides of the Atlantic. We are seeing increasing polarization and fragmentation of the political landscape – and even a calcification of positions. Yet, on both sides of the Atlantic, many candidates from the left and from the right are trying to appeal to voters in the political middle in the hope that they can pull votes from across party lines.<br /><br />On May 9, the third event in Foreign Correspondent Unplugged series was held at the Goethe Institut in Washington D.C. with a discussion featuring German journalists<b> </b>Annett Meiritz and Juliane Schäuble. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, the President and CEO of the American Council on Germany.

The American Council on Germany and the Goethe-Institut are hosting a series of discussions across the United States highlighting how German and American journalists based in the United States currently see political and social developments in Germany, the United States, and internationally.In a series of events speakers will address a range of topics that affect citizens in both countries. What strikes them most about current trends in Germany and the United States and the political discourse? What surprises them the most? In which direction(s) is the United States developing? What impact does this have on Germany – and the future of the transatlantic partnership? In-person events will be hosted at Goethe-Instituts across the U.S. and then released as podcasts. They are available on your favorite audio platform.