Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Dialogue with International Relations Students

On July 1, 2024, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, whose political career includes roles as Germany’s Minister of Defense, Minister President of Saarland, various state minister positions, and CDU party leader, spoke at the event "Mechanisms of International Politics: Practical Experiences.", hosted by the Center for International Studies (ZIS). She engaged in discussion with moderator Anna Holzscheiter, Professor of International Politics at TU Dresden, and students mainly from International Relations and Political Science programs.

As a political science graduate, Kramp-Karrenbauer transitioned to academic and advisory roles after her political career. She is the Co-Chair of the International Leadership Council at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and a visiting professor for Political Management at the Mercator Foundation at the NRW School of Governance, University of Duisburg-Essen. It was not surprising that the discussion touched on policy topics, especially the re-enabling of the Bundeswehr for national and alliance defense, and current questions on the resilience of democratic political systems. Additionally, the practical relevance in political science was discussed, with current research and teaching receiving positive feedback.

Given her extensive experience, it was no surprise that the lecture hall was well-filled despite the summer weather. After a 25-minute keynote speech, Kramp-Karrenbauer answered numerous student questions for about 70 minutes. The event concluded with a final word from Anna Holzscheiter and a long round of applause, showing the students' appreciation for Kramp-Karrenbauer’s presence and insights. The event lived up to its promise, as "AKK" shared her extensive "practical experiences," particularly from her time as a federal minister at the European and international levels, in a clear and open manner.