GERMAN EUROPE OR A DECISIVE POLITICAL POWER IN EUROPE

Germany has greatly increased its power within the European institutional framework and has become an unquestionable leader of the European Union. The euro crisis indisputably created a window of opportunity for Germany to increase its influence on the European agenda. Today, Germany is undoubtedly encouraged to use the window of opportunity in order to increase its power and influence on the European arena, and behaves in a way political realism would expect it to do.

The German sociologist, Ulrich Beck, in his book "German Europe" writes, "The fact is that Europe has become German. Nobody intended this to happen, but … Germany has ‘slipped' into the role of the decisive political power in Europe.

By pulling her weight behind the appointment of Mr. Juncker,  the German chancellor has  cemented her political base in Europe for years to come. By making Mr. Juncker  head of the commission, Mrs. Merkel scores a triple win: secure much-needed democratic credentials for the EU thanks to the new election-driven process of assigning the EU’s top jobs; determine the EU’s political agenda; and establish herself as Europe’s real leader.

Undoubtedly, Angela Merkel pulls more strings in Europe today than any other leader, and sometimes more than the rest of them combined. This is a function not only of the economic crisis but also of other leaders’ resignation to offer a credible alternative vision of how Europe should be run. When people complain about Germany hijacking the European agenda, the question should be asked as to who is putting forward a rival proposition.

New EU Leaders

• Jean-Claude Juncker: Head of European Commission (Luxembourg)
• Manfred Weber: Head of EPP Party (Germany)
• Martin Schulz: To be re-elected as President of the EP (Germany)
• Guy Verhofstadt: To be elected as President of the EP for two and half years after Martin Schulz (Flemish)