Close ties and the experience of federalism

When I arrived in Manila in September last year to assume my first posting in Asia, I was welcomed in the warmest way. Literally from day one I got a first-hand experience of the world renowned hospitality of the Filipino people. Having served in a number of Latin American and also African countries, I have already experienced warm welcomes as an incoming Ambassador. However, the Philippines were special: here, in the most Eastern part of South East Asia, I enjoy a particular openness and friendliness towards me as the German Ambassador.

From the start, I could see how close relations between Germany and the Philippines have become in our globalized world particularly over the last 20 years or so in spite of geographical distance. Germans and Filipinos share common values of democracies deeply rooted in a unique recent history of two non-bloody revolutions that both overcame dictatorships: the 1986 EDSA revolution in Manila and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. On an international level, we strive for peace and international security and, for example, share concerns about the negative effects of climate change. Furthermore, Germany is the Philippines´ largest trading partner in Europe with a bilateral annual trade volume of more than 5 billion EUR (or P250 billion) and Germany is among the important development partners of the Philippines.

On the basis of these close relations, as the German Ambassador I am privileged to foster ties between Germany and the Philippines in close cooperation with an existing dense network of German institutions and organizations in the Philippines: the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce promotes trade and investments between our countries; Germany´s implementing agency for development cooperation, GIZ,  entertains one of its biggest offices worldwide in the Philippines providing technical support for development. The Goethe Institute is a great place to learn the German language and experience German culture; the German School in Paranaque offers top quality education and an excellent preparation to continue with higher studies, in the Philippines or abroad including in Germany. Some of these institutions go back a long way such as the German Club in Manila which has been here for more than a century. But most important – people to people relations between Germany and the Philippines are in full swing.

An important recent topic in German Philippine relations is the interest of the Philippine Government, Congressmen and experts in Germany´s federal political order. While many in the Philippines are considering the replacement of the present more centralist constitution of the Philippines through a federal order, they would like to learn more about the German experience as a federal state. During my first months in the Philippines I was often asked about federalism in Germany, why it works so well for us and whether I think that the Philippines could learn from our experience. I agree that the German federal experience can be useful for the discussions in the Philippines. I am satisfied to note that politicians and experts are interested in Germany´s experience with a federal system, which we are happy to share – also with the help of German political foundations represented in the Philippines.

However, every country has to find its own way and must take decisions best adapted to the wishes of its people and to their own history and needs. There cannot be a model that fits all. But I also believe we can learn from the experiences – good and bad - of others.

What is the federal experience of the Federal Republic of Germany? Germany looks back on a long historical tradition of strong regional autonomy. Today, the country consists of 16 federal states. Each state has its own constitution, as well as its own parliament, government, administration, police force and courts. The national federal constitution prescribes that the constitutions of the individual states must respect the principles of democracy, social welfare and the rule of law. At the same time, the individual states enjoy a significant level of political and legislative autonomy, for instance with reference to matters regarding the police or education. Furthermore, the individual states are funded through a fixed share of taxes raised in Germany.

In order for federalism to fulfil this function of democratic control, it is crucial that democratic principles are implemented at every level. Independent institutions, an active civil society, free and critical media, the fair competition of political parties and the rule of law everywhere from the local to the national level are the indispensable pillars of a federal democratic state. Despite the variety between the states and the autonomy of each state, solidarity and cooperation among the Länder and between the Länder and the federal government is key to the functioning of German federalism.

To sum it up, Federalism in Germany is deeply rooted historically and one of the key principles of the German Basic Law, next to and interwoven with the principles of democracy, social welfare and rule of law. In order to work, cooperation and solidarity must be carefully balanced with autonomy and democratic principles must be followed at every level. I would like to stress again that every country is different. What works well for one country might not work at all for another. While learning from the experience of others is of course a very smart thing to do, at the end of the day, every country needs to find the best way for itself individually and decide if it prefers a federal or a centralized system.