Berlin looks at Brussels ” “

The lengthy Programmatic Document, 180 pages, signed by the Christian Democrats (CDU-CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) in Germany, that underlies the action of the new government led by Angela Merkel, deserves special attention also at continental level for at least two reasons: first, because that text mentions more than forty times the new government’s objectives at European level, and also because in the chapter devoted specifically to the European Union it clearly underlines the willingness of the German political elite to build a more federal Europe.The coalition agreement signed in late November has been severely criticized by the German press for its supposed lack of ambition, and for imposing additional costs to families and middle classes. However, the European dimension included in the national government agreement is convincing for its sense of realism. A EU Member State government – while being the largest and richest – today can no longer claim to act alone, without partners or “against” European institutions. Almost no policy area is exempt from this observation. Therefore, the coalition agreement systematically explains how a European action of the German Government will accompany a measure taken at domestic level. Often the success of the first will determine the outcome of the second.The major telecommunications or transport networks, the digital agenda and research programs, renewable energy or nuclear power, the labor market or training, taxation of companies and banking supervision, consumer protection and agriculture, cultural heritage and audiovisual media, migration: in all these areas, the signatories pledge to follow a European guideline. In a transparent manner and with a strong pedagogical approach, German citizens will thereby learn what it means for their country to be part of a community of states, linked by history and geography, with a market and a single currency. They will benefit from the fact of acknowledging it, as will be the case for other governments, and draw lessons on the general direction of European policy.The sixth chapter of the Agreement is titled, “The strong Europe”. The new government affirms it will assume its European responsibility. A more democratic Europe is yearned for: “Decisions regarding European politics often deeply affect the lives of our citizens. It is therefore important for the confidence of citizens in the European Union to strengthen its democratic legitimacy and make decisions more transparent”. For this it is necessary to strengthen the role of both the EP and the national parliaments.Always at the center of the Community method, the European Commission is expected to become more effective.Moreover, community programs for the young should promote the emergence of a European civil society, “a preliminary condition for a thriving European democracy”. To exit the economic and monetary crisis Germany will continue pursuing its line. Solidarity and responsibility go hand in hand: “Europeans must be successful competitors in the global market through competitive economy”. With the reform agreement concluded at European level, Eurozone countries will be called to be committed in a credible and democratic manner to consolidate their finances and boost competitiveness. In exchange, they will be able to count on the solidarity of their partners – states Berlin’s government. For this purpose, the signatories of the new coalition agreement, representing two thirds of German electors, announced their intention to change the Treaties as relates to economic and monetary union. In short, EU partners are ready to meet the new German government, determined to change the course of European history.