USA IN THE POLITICS OF GERMANY

German-American relations have evolved significantly over the last several years. This was due, among others, to the new conditions of the foreign policy of the unified Germany and the changing position of the USA on the international stage. It must be admitted, however, that during the rule of the CDU/CSU-FDP coalition a good atmosphere in mutual relations was maintained and the USA were one of the major points of reference for the policy of Bonn. Yet even then certain controversies could not be avoided, but this did not affect a change of America's role in the policy of the FRG. When power passed on to the SPD/Green Party coalition in 1998 at first there were no signs of any forthcoming deterioration of harmonious relations with the USA. The situation changed under the influence of developments that followed September 11, which included the proclamation of the 'Bush doctrine' and intervention in Iraq. At a crucial moment the German-American relations were in a state of 'poisoning'. The situation improved only after a shift in the German political configuration in 2005. Then it was possible to return to a favorable atmosphere in mutual relations, but on different conditions, whereby Berlin became a very important and valuable partner for the USA.