We’ve seen a clear and often founded rise in the level of disenchantment and apathy among voters. Just taking a look at recent election outcomes across various world powers, it’s no surprise that people feel like their votes hold no significance. Especially when they are living in Germany, paying taxes and building the economy, but hold no legal right to vote. Why does it even matter? Well, it matters for a number of reasons.

In this episode we are joined by William Noah Glucroft, a reporter who has been living in Berlin for 12 years and works covering Germany and transatlantic relations. William highlights the importance of knowing what's going on in your city, your state and your country. Particularly a country like Germany, the 4th largest economy in the world, with huge economic impact and political influence on the European Union and the world. As we look to a new chancellor and the possibility of change, we explore what your vote could mean for the future of climate policy, Germany’s actions with the situation in Afghanistan, trade, transport, housing, healthcare and much more.

Thank you William for chatting with us, Pirate Studios for making our recordings possible, and Epidemic Sound for the theme song.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is info@bearradio.org - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

Our theme song is City Phases by John Abbot, also featuring audio from Deutsche Welle, Deutsche Welle (2), Deutsche Welle (3) and TLDR News EU.

More information on each episode (descriptions, titles) and transcripts available at bearradio.org/september-26