The Franco-German axis, which for so long has defined the European Union, has taken some serious hits lately. Following the trauma of the eurozone crisis, the relationship between the two countries is heading towards a historic post-war low – to the point that Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy are almost no longer on speaking terms according to whispers in Brussels. This wasn’t helped by Sarkozy’s comments the other week that “95 percent” of the bailout package deal agreed corresponded to French demands.
Today Wirtschaftswoche takes an interesting look at the strains, quoting one “experienced” CDU source saying that “In this government one can talk anti-French without being punished…that wasn’t the case at the time of [Chancellor] Kohl”.
Quite extrordinarily, the article also suggests that relations between Sarkozy and Merkel are at such a low ebb that “Merkel likes to imitate the vain behaviour of the little Frenchman, thereby making friends in her party laugh during the late hours.” Harsh!
Apart from the huge implications for the future of the EU, Merkel’s more assertive stance – and the power vacuum left by the radical weakening of the Franco-German axis – is also proving very confusing for journalists. Particularly anglo-saxon ones. In today’s FT, Philip Stephens is so perplexed by this new order that he desperately searches for some sort of familiar point of reference and finds….Margaret Thatcher! Stephens argues:
Mrs Thatcher spoke the language of the small shopkeeper from her native Lincolnshire. Ms Merkel, as determined as was Britain’s Iron Lady that Germany should no longer pick up Europe’s bills, has her own exemplar of the virtues of provincial thrift.
He also seems very pleased with his phrase “anti-European invective”, using it twice to describe what he sees as the mood in the UK and Germany – without engaging with any of the actual arguments about the sustainability of the current model for European integration. Stephens is obviously struggling to get with the programme. If Merkel sounds like Thatcher, what exactly is that a sign of? German taxpayers are potentially liable for some €120 billion in eurozone loans and have just seen the independence of the ECB kissed goodbye – after having been promised that neither could ever happen. Whining over the fact that the Germans are not acting like this is ‘business as usual’ just isn’t serious.
In Stephens’ eyes the whole world is turning ‘anti-European’, apart from Sarkozy and a freemasonry of like-minded Eurocrats in Brussels (to steal a phrase from a thought-provoking piece by Simon Jenkins the other day). His views sound almost…provincial.
A leader in today’s IHT is also struggling to come to terms with the changing nature of Europe:
Now, at the worst possible moment, Germany is turning to nationalist illusions. Europe’s past economic successes are now viewed as German successes. Europe’s current deep problems are everyone else’s except Germany’s. That is neither realistic nor sustainable. But German politicians and commentators are callously and self-destructively feeding these ideas.
Some journalists should really get out more and see some ordinary people outside of the political bubbles in a few selected capitals. A more sensible take on the situation can be found in the Economist’s Charlemagne column today:
Anger and denial are hardly surprising. Germans were promised that the single currency would be the old Deutschmark in new clothes, backed by Teutonic discipline and a fiercely independent central bank. Arguably, that fantasy Deutschmark died early on May 10th, when a euro-zone bail-out mechanism was agreed and the European Central Bank started buying government bonds by the bucket load. Germans are now in mourning. How they recover is not just their problem, but Europe‘s.
Now, we all prefer when people get along. But the broken Franco-German engine certainly opens up the playing field for new alliances in Europe – and for a new, more sustainable and healthy European agenda. Is the UK’s Con-Lib coalition government ready to go to work?
#1 by Marcel on May 28, 2010 - 8:08 pm
First point on the agenda: undo political integration because the peoples are against it.
Second point: abolish the Euro because peoples do not want fiscal union.
Economic cooperation only please.
#2 by DG on May 28, 2010 - 9:01 pm
I suggest that Mats Persson go into a dark room and lie down for a while. If the UK, or Sweden for that matter, had been in a position of deciding the direction that Europe should take, it (Europe, that is) would have run into the buffers a long time ago.
The attitude of both countries is understandable but hardly glorious. Both were of the view that the European train would never leave the station and, if it did, they were not interested in getting on board and when it did leave the station, both clambered aboard in the most undignified manner possible i.e. being asked to pay a surcharge on the ticket.
The surcharge seems likely to rise. Attempting to play the roles of both bystander and participant usually ends up rather sadly.
#3 by Patrick on May 28, 2010 - 9:36 pm
Philip Stephens, like most of the UK media, misunderstands Germany’s relationship with Europe and tries to judge it from a parochial English perspective.
I have lived in Germany for some time and I can tell you that never have I heard one person seriously call for the return of the DM. Not even in Bild, the Sun equivalent. You see, Germany knows that there is no other serious alternative but the EU and it will do its upmost to make it work. Germany is also aware that its international influence is far greater as leader of the EU, than as just another player in the global market. Germany is the quintessential Eurorealist.
The ConLibs will have enough on their plates dealing with the economic crisis. In any event, the Tories are effectively hamstrung in Europe because their MPs won’t accept anything other than a taking back of competences. They also want to avoid another Treaty like the plague, as no-one quite knows what’s going to happen when the British public vote it down after 20+ years of Europhobic nonsense from the media.
#4 by french derek on May 29, 2010 - 6:40 pm
Further to Patrick’s post, it would be helpful to comment on the reported “anti-French” attitude in Berlin. I reckon this is more anti-Sarko than anti-French. If Frau Merkel does a “take” on Sarkozy, then good for her: it’s exactly what he does to his closed circle. Anyone who doesn’t think he’s the greatest since Napoleon (inc me) is likely to find themselves pilloried.
#5 by Jose Demko on May 30, 2010 - 7:25 pm
“anti-European invective” in the mood in the UK?! I’m shocked, SHOCKED!
#6 by Roberto A on May 30, 2010 - 7:31 pm
QUOTE: “They also want to avoid another Treaty like the plague, as no-one quite knows what’s going to happen when the British public vote it down after 20+ years of Europhobic nonsense from the media.” UNQUOTE
No Europeans will be given a treaty vote in the future, especially not the British. The result would be a certain “no” and where would that take the EU?