Will Germany’s new government restore its role as a bold leader of the EU?
Jennifer Rankin, The Guaradian, 24.02.2025
Quotes
Friedrich Merz can rebuild European relationships and be a driving force on defence spending, but faces Trump’s upending of postwar certainties
Germany has long been seen as the EU’s “indispensable nation” – the biggest, richest and most consequential power. But in recent years Berlin has widely been regarded as missing in action in the EU, hobbled by internecine feuding in a coalition government that has caused flip-flops and delayed decisions. [...]
Janis Emmanouilidis, deputy chief executive at the European Policy Centre, said Merz has been extremely careful not to say anything “which might cost him in his own party”, where many do not want debt-brake reform or eurobonds. It is “difficult to judge Merz’s room for manoeuvre” on the debt-brake, he said.
The centre-right leader is expected to dial down radical ideas from the campaign trail, such as permanent controls at the German border, as part of a five-point plan that included turning away all asylum seekers. Strict controls would damage relations with Germany’s neighbours. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, last year condemned controls introduced by Scholz’s government as “unacceptable”.
Emmanouilidis expects Merz to enjoy better relations with Tusk and Macron, although said it would be difficult for relations “not to get better”. Merz’s leadership style “indicates that he will be trying to play a stronger role” in contrast with Scholz’s “lack of boldness”, Emmanouilidis said, although “the devil will be in the detail”.
Read full text here
Latest media contributions
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: What does the Ankara NATO Summit mean for Europe’s security?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 09.07.2026
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: Will the June EU Summit provide strategic direction?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 22.06.2026
EU Democracy Reform Observatory: Two years on: Why Europe’s far right keeps growing
Online Briefing, YouTube, 11.06.2026
EPC Update: Can Europe lead when leadership is in short supply?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 29.05.2026
What are the sticking points for the EU's new budget?
Quotes, Deutsche Welle, 29.04.2026
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: Spring European Council: Can the EU meet the challenges of the new world disorder?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 26.03.2026
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: Informal leaders' retreat: New momentum for European competitiveness?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 16.02.2026
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: The Greenland crisis: A test for Europe's credibilitye need for strategic choices
Online Briefing, YouTube, 23.01.2026
EPC Update: EUrope in 2026: the need for strategic choices
Online Briefing, YouTube, 12.01.2026
EPC Update / Post-summit Briefing: The last EU Summit of 2025: a real moment of truth?
Online Briefing, YouTube, 19.12.2025