Foreign Correspondent Unplugged: Campaign Season on Both Sides of the Atlantic

The year 2026 is shaping up to be an important electoral moment on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, voters will head to the polls for the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and shape the final years of the current administration in Washington, DC. In Germany, several key state elections will test the strength of the governing coalition and the continued rise of parties such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), offering an early indication of the political dynamics that could influence the next federal contest. Together, these campaigns will provide a revealing snapshot of how domestic political pressures in both countries may shape the future of the transatlantic relationship.

On April 20, the American Council on Germany and the Goethe-Institut USA hosted a Live Podcast Recording and Discussion at the Goethe Institut Washington D.C. on “Campaign Season on Both Sides of the Atlantic” with Liz Goodwin, National Political Reporter, The Washington Post and Nadine Lindner, Journalist, Deutschlandradio. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO, The American Council on Germany. 

Drawing on our guests’ extensive on-the-ground reporting – from Germany’s evolving party landscape to the shifting dynamics of U.S. national politics – this discussion explored how political narratives, voter behavior, and media coverage are influencing democratic debate and the broader transatlantic relationship.This event was part of a week-long speaking tour by Nadine Lindner to five U.S. cities titled State(s) of Democracy: A German Journalist’s Journey to the U.S. in 2026.