Sigrid
The only news that we have been hearing in the past couple of days has been about the attack and how the new government is putting itself together. For that, we have a specialist with us. He’s a political advisor and does public affairs by heart. He’s one of the greatest networkers in Berlin, and he’s with us today: Peter Alberto Behrens. Welcome!

Peter Alberto
Thank you very much, Sigrid.

Sigrid
So great to have you with us. First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself and what being a political advisor actually means.

Peter Alberto
Good question. My name itself reflects my identity. I define myself as Latino-German. I have German roots but also come from Paraguay. I’ve lived in six different Spanish-speaking countries. I came to Germany at 19 to study political science in Bonn and Mainz, after previously living in Spain. So even though I’m German by nationality, Germany was somewhat foreign to me.

I’ve been working as a political advisor for 30 years now. That means I help companies, foundations, and institutions handle politically sensitive issues and navigate political stakeholders. I engage with parliamentarians, government representatives, and more. My specialty is the German-Latin American context.

A New Government Amid Uncertainty

Sigrid
As someone who has lived in many countries and understands Germany and its current political landscape, can you summarize the coalition agreement and what we might expect from it?

Peter Alberto
That’s a good question. If I knew it all by heart, I’d probably be rich! But seriously, we’re living in times of uncertainty. The current coalition agreement is not drastically different from previous ones but also marks a transition period. We’re not in the past anymore, but not quite in the future either.

The agreement, set up by the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats, is an achievement in itself. That kind of collaboration is unique in Europe. I’m cautiously optimistic that this government will act according to the times we live in.

Migration at the Heart of the Agenda (Missing Narrative)

Sigrid
You’re one of the few who are optimistic. Let’s break down one of the key topics: migration. What does the coalition agreement say about it?

Peter Alberto
Good point. Friedrich Merz, the almost-certain next Chancellor, has been very outspoken about illegal migration. The focus is clearly on limiting irregular migration. While some stricter measures favored by the Christian Democrats made it into the agreement, others did not.

What I think is missing is a cohesive migration strategy. Yes, every country has the right to control who enters its borders. But Germany needs to attract people too. What’s missing is a balanced narrative: keeping out those we don’t need and welcoming those we do. That’s just rational.

When I lived in Latin America, I was frustrated with Germans living there for years without speaking Spanish or integrating. It’s the same here. No one expects you to become German, but there should be a willingness to be part of something. That’s reasonable.

Sigrid
I agree. There is also a problem with how we use the term „migrant.“ It doesn’t capture the diversity of people who live here. The current discourse focuses on one narrow image.

Peter Alberto
Exactly. Germany hasn’t always acknowledged that it’s no longer an ethnically homogeneous society. The guest worker narrative of the 60s and 70s is outdated. Today, over 20% of the population has a migrant background.

The issue is how we live together. Germans often pride themselves on being tolerant, but that masks a deeper skepticism. When I first moved here, I didn’t feel accepted. For four or five years, I didn’t have German friends.

Eventually, I realized it wasn’t about them. It was about me. Germany offered me more opportunities than any country I’d lived in. I learned to live with the cultural differences. This country has given me the chance to thrive, and I’m very grateful.

Could Germany Go the Way of the U.S.?

Sigrid
One big fear is whether Germany will go the same way as the U.S. on migration. Do you think that’s a possibility under Friedrich Merz?

Peter Alberto
Short answer: no. The polarization seen in the U.S. doesn’t exist here. Migration isn’t the problem—irregular migration is. The 2015 refugee crisis under Angela Merkel was an exceptional situation that became normalized. That has created confusion about what’s legal and what isn’t.

We won’t see ICE-style raids here, but we will see a tougher stance on irregular migration. That’s legitimate. Every country has the right to control its borders.

What complicates things in Germany is its Nazi past. There’s a kind of guilt that makes it harder to have rational discussions about immigration. Ironically, even migrants who followed the rules complain about others who expect a free pass. They’re right to be frustrated.

Sigrid
Migration is a topic that could fill hours of discussion. We’d love to have you back once the government settles in. And it’s worth repeating that 80% of Germans did not vote for the AfD. That matters.

Peter Alberto
Absolutely. And even among AfD voters, many are protest voters. I wouldn’t assume they’re all anti-migrant or racist. We need to keep that in mind.

Sigrid
Thank you so much, Pedro Alberto, for joining us today.

Peter Alberto
Thank you, Sigrid. It’s been a pleasure.