A guiding role in Europe for reunited Germany

Twenty-five years ago, October 3rd 1990, Germany was re-united. The collapse of the communist regime – after 45 years of division – enabled the citizens of Germany’s so-called Democratic Republic to become full members of the Federal Republic of Germany, through free self-determination, and naturally they also became citizens of the European Union. Since then, like it or not, Germany has gained an increasingly important role at the helm of Europe. The guiding-role of a member country had not been envisaged in the Treaties underlying the “constitution” of the European Union. In the community of European States and peoples leadership is decided by Community bodies – under the control of the European Parliament – notably by the Commission that represents the common interest, and by the Council of ministers, whereby national interests converge in a common stand. This coordination is productive within a legislative framework, but it does not function in the area of foreign policies, as is the case of asylum policies, for example. This happens because the European Union has not been completed. Its national members still play a decisive role, legitimated by the federal system of the Union and by the fact that member States have founded the Union. They remain, although to a lesser degree, “the owners of the Treaties”. Until European institutions continue lacking the necessary authority to set the right pace to the EU, it is necessary that among the EU28 Member Countries at least one set the general direction. While at the first stages of Europe’s integration process the role of the metronome, which evidently now belongs to Germany, was assumed by France, counting on Germany’s support in its leadership since the 1970s, today Germany is the country that seeks to take the lead with France, thereby paving the way to all other Member countries. Leadership is not a privilege and it does not confer a privilege. Leadership means first of all the assumption of responsibilities not only for oneself and for personal interest, but also of the community as a whole. Is Germany mature enough for this role? For sure, since its reunification Germany has become the largest country in the EU, both in demographic and in geographical terms. It is equally important to have a perfectly functioning constitution leading to a stable political system and to a political culture characterised by the capability to face crises rapidly and through constant development. Thanks to its courage, the huge problems affecting Germany’s organization, economy and social realm have been solved. This also explains its confidence in facing the major challenge linked to the inflow of hundreds of thousands of refugees, with the help of an actively engaged civil society. Its central position in Europe also means that Germany has many bordering countries, and therefore the Country and its population are encouraged to be constantly open and extend their gaze beyond national borders. Finally, the State’s federal structure assures great flexibility, it furthers national reforms along with the development of economic processes, thereby facilitating the promotion of generous social policies. As has emerged during the Greek crisis, and in many other occasions, the leadership role is linked to unpleasant collateral effects. Those in leadership positions attract criticism regarding their decisions as well as suspicions, escalating into offence and defamation motivated by envy, and fuelled by those who feel their nationalist centrality has been violated. Those exerting their leadership responsibly should be able to cope with this situation. Nationalistic drives in particular – to the right and to the left – flaunt a demagogical opposition against Germany’s leadership and its political proposals. These violent reactions can be partly explained with the memories of Germany’s role in the first half of the past century. To the proponents of these stands, the democratic developments of the past 70 years do not do any justice. Moreover, opposition to Germany’s leadership is primarily caused by a certain degree of rigour in the politics of Angela Merkel, due to the fact that the regulations jointly adopted at EU level, notably those on monetary union, must be respected. In fact, only rules can ensure the cohesion of a Community with many States, each one attached to its own national “sovereignty”, without the recognition of a higher authority that takes decisions. If rules are not respected, the Community risks falling apart.