Merkel in Russia

How times have changed. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev a year ago in Sochi, the mood was icy. The Russia-Georgia war had severely damaged relations between Moscow and Berlin. But even though differences concerning Georgia and Russia's conduct in the Caucuses continue to exist, thanks to the global financial and economic crisis, the situation has visibly changed.

Now both sides have called a truce and want to start rebuilding a strategic partnership. The goal is to cooperate closely on several projects – saving the German auto company Opel, helping preserve the Waden Yards collection of ship yards, and ensuring the continued existence of chip maker Infinion.

But the declaration of intent for better German-Russo economic cooperation wasn't the surprising outcome of Merkel's visit to Sochi. Germany and Russia announced months ago that they planned to get through the economic crisis by working more together. That fact was most recently made evident during a meeting between Merkel and Mevedev in Munich one month ago.

Inter-political chess match

More interesting was the fact that Merkel was able to use the trip to Sochi to one-up her current vice chancellor and opponent for the chancellery, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) may be in the lead six weeks ahead of federal elections in Germany, but they haven't won yet, and every foreign trip is like a mini election campaign. That's even more true when it comes to visits with Russian presidents.

Ever since the male bonding that took place between Gerhard Schroeder and Vladimir Putin, the Social Democrats (SPD) have tried to keep everything that has to do with Russia in German politics all to themselves – even more so when it comes to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Over the past few years he has been a frequent and welcome guest at the Kremlin, even during times of crisis. Under his leadership as foreign minister, the foreign ministry developed and propagated the concept of a German-Russo modernization partnership, which is focused on linking the German and Russian economies.

Good relationships despite criticism

With this trip to Sochi focused on partnerships and cooperation Merkel has taken this trump card away from Steinmeier just weeks ahead of the elections. What's more is the fact that Merkel demonstrated how good her relationship to President Mevedev is while at the same time – as was clearly shown in the media – expressing her opinion about human rights in Chechnya, which has clearly set her apart from Steinmeier and his political foster father Gerhard Schroeder. Especially since the Social Democrats have always been criticized about their Russia policies, which are seen as not critical enough when it comes to authoritarian tendencies and democratic deficits in Russia.

The visit to Sochi was a real political feat for Merkel. She reinforced a good political relationship with Russia and made it clear she was supporting German jobs while at the same time taking the wind out of her opponent's sails. The fact that Russian President Medvedev willingly cooperated isn't only about the Russian interest in Opel. Even he must be aware of the polls in Germany showing Merkel in the lead and wants to be able to cash in on the good relations over the next four years.

Ingo Mannteufel is the head of Deutsche Welle's Russian radio and online departments. (mrm)

Editor: Nick Amies