European Union: Angela Merkel's last decisive presidency

Text by: Anissa El Jabri Follow

German diplomats have been preparing for this presidency for two years. Their plans were totally shattered by the coronavirus crisis and the need to respond to the emergency. “All together to relaunch Europe”, that is the slogan which was projected in several languages ​​on the Brandenburg Gate on a blue and yellow background, the colors of the EU.

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"Relaunching Europe" means very concretely the plan to alleviate the economic and social crisis linked to the coronavirus. Hundreds of billions of euros have been borrowed jointly, mainly to distribute grants for the countries and sectors most affected. We know the Commission's proposal - 500 billion in grants, 250 in loans - but we still don't know what can be negotiated with skeptical countries - Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Austria. What amounts withheld, what allocation key between countries ...

The big event will be the European summit on July 17 and 18. It will be the first physical summit between the 27 since the start of the crisis. A "flesh and blood" meeting is necessary to be able to make major decisions - all diplomats say it - and it is also for Angela Merkel the method to get things done. Because the Chancellor is a follower of bilateral talks. This “Merkel method” is also nicknamed “confessional diplomacy”, also referring to her origins as a daughter of a pastor.

Merkel's experience expected at the turn

The know-how of this experienced manager is in any case eagerly awaited in many European capitals and in Brussels. No European leader can boast of his experience gained from 15 years of continuous power. If some specialists compare the rotating six-month presidency of the EU to that of a session presidency, everyone agrees that it is a real difference when a country that weighs heavily politically and economically. To this must be added another advantage for Germany: the Chancellor is also one of the very few leaders to emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis , at the height of her popularity in her country.

"  The wait on our shoulders is enormous,  " said Angela Merkel on Monday June 29 at Meseberg, the government residence 70 km from Berlin where she received Emmanuel Macron. It should be emphasized, it is a real reversal of situation for Berlin, seen as Father Fouettard, the gravedigger of Europe even said some during the financial crisis of 2008-2011. In favor of budgetary orthodoxy, Angela Merkel had nevertheless at that time seriously envisaged the exit of Greece from the euro zone.

A chance to restore Germany's coat of arms

Today, it is expected and watched, and it is an opportunity that offers to restore the coat of arms of Germany. Especially since the Chancellor has promised to leave power at the end of her mandate in just over a year. Angela Merkel has already broken the longevity record of Helmut Kohl, her mentor, but she remains for history the Chancellor of the changeover to the euro, when she, for her part, is still trying to shape her European heritage.

This European summit of 17 and 18 July is therefore a first test of major importance for this presidency. But there are other very big files at the start of the school year, and that is partly why Paris and Berlin want to move quickly on the recovery plan and the European budget. Another potential shock is looming: a Brexit without a commercial agreement .

September-October will be a defining moment, observers say. Another major issue is EU relations with China. The summit scheduled for September in Leipzig has been canceled, but Germany still hopes to find a date by the end of the year. For other pending files, particularly migration, the risk is therefore very strong to be postponed until later.

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• European Union
• Angela Merkel