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WEEKEND READS: On July 1, Germany took over the rotating presidency of the EU. FEI's Jörn Fleck argues this is "a moment of truth for the future trajectory of the EU, Germany’s leadership within it, and the legacy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel." https://tinyurl.com/y9d4pv59
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The German EU Council presidency will largely focus on managing COVID-19 and its economic fallout. Their leadership will be central to the EU's long-term recovery as it strives for consensus among member states on critical economic & social policies. (2/8) https://tinyurl.com/ydhzd7yr
Will Berlin radically transform the EU? Unlikely. One indicator: Germany's track record on European unity, climate change, and digital innovation—three of its top priorities for the EU—has been uninspiring. (3/8) https://tinyurl.com/ydythdym
That said, one week into the German EU presidency, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for solidarity and cohesion to build a Europe that is green, innovative, sustainable, more digital and competitive. (4/8) https://tinyurl.com/y82ntec8
Germany will also be responsible for shaping the EU's future relationship with post-Brexit Britain, especially as London rejects any extension of negotiations on a trade deal beyond 2020. (5/8) https://tinyurl.com/ydesvn5e
On China, Germany plans to push a tougher EU line—reasserting the importance of values and demanding greater reciprocity. (6/8) https://tinyurl.com/yacsccsq
Germany's desire to decrease European dependence on the United States and China is noteworthy. EU sovereignty will be a priority for medical equipment, information technologies, energy, and defense. (7/8) https://tinyurl.com/y8smkk8m
Also on Germany's agenda: bolstering European defense. FEI Visiting Fellow @OlivierR_Bel writes, "Germany’s challenge will be to tie the loose ends on defense" and "to explain what Europeans are doing" to the skeptics in Washington. (8/8) https://tinyurl.com/y8ea85lu
