Merkel
Merkel’s Summit
Rarely has one of the recent European crisis summits had as little impact on the public mood as the one just concluded in Brussels on Monday of this week. Reactions to the decision on the tight fiscal pact were generally muted. Most commentators on both sides of the Atlantic described the results… Read more >
Is Germany Losing its Allies?
Following a recent statement by Dutch central banker Klaas Knot, argues Alexander Privitera, it appears that Angela Merkel is beginning to lose her ally in the Netherlands when it comes to fighting Europe’s debt problems. According to Mr. Privitera, Germany’s seemingly slow approach to the Euro crisis could place them on the outside of future negotiations.
A New Dawn, or Just a New Phase of the Crisis?
Another EU summit, another plan to solve the debt crisis that fails to calm market fears. In his essay A New Dawn, or Just a New Phase of the Crisis?, Alexander Privitera, Washington-based Special Correspondent for the German news channel N24, examines the current state of the sovereign debt crisis following last week’s EU summit. According to Mr. Privitera, Angela Merkel’s continued unwillingness to openly discuss some of the proposed top options for solving the crisis is only fueling market concerns over the euro.
Heroine or Villain?
Following this week’s summit in Washington between U.S. and EU officials, it has become increasingly clear that only one actor truly has the ability to lead any solution to the debt crisis: Germany’s Angela Merkel. In his essay Heroine or Villain?, Alexander Privitera, Washington-based Special Correspondent for the German news channel N24 and frequent AICGS contributor, examines Chancellor Merkel’s actions in dealing with the crisis and lays out her available options.
Germany: Inactive but Indispensable?
In this week’s At Issue, Executive Director Jack Janes examines the challenges Chancellor Merkel faces at home and in Europe with her style of leadership, while Germany is increasingly becoming the focus of Europe’s euro crisis.
Seriousness and Wish for Unity
In his essay Seriousness and Wish for Unity, AICGS Trustee Andreas Nick examines the serious tone set by Angela Merkel and other CDU leaders at this week’s party convention. While Merkel’s goals of a stronger Europe and a practical approach to global issues were once again at the forefront, it appears that the CDU’s plan for the 2013 general election has begun to take shape.
Leadership and Democracy
As the political mindset in Europe begins to change – both among the newly appointed Greek and Italian Prime minsters, or among the incumbent Merkel and Sarkozy – the questioning of each leader’s commitment to Europe will only increase. According to his essay Leadership and Democracy, Alexander Privitera, Washington based Special Correspondent for the German news channel N24 and frequent AICGS contributor, explains that all European leaders are approaching the point at which they will have to make very unpopular decisions. In particular, Angela Merkel could be tested very soon.
Merkel’s Momentum
In this week’s At Issue, Executive Director Jack Janes reviews the CDU party convention in Leipzig and Angela Merkel’s political leverage as she looks forward to the second half of her second term as Chancellor.
Markets and Merkel: fear and hope
What has the latest round of market turbulence told us about the Euro crisis?
First, that nobody in the Eurozone is safe from contagion.
Second, the politicians are finally realizing that things can get much worse much faster than they ever thought possible.
And finally, that Angela Merkel may yet achieve her goal of closer European integration – with the help of the financial markets.
Chancellor Merkel has long been distrustful of the markets − and the feeling is mutual. Both have blamed the other for an ever-deepening crisis across Europe. More recently, though, both sides might have woken up to the fact that becoming allies would not be that outlandish.
Why Germany is Leading From Behind
With so much resting on the euro for Germany, why does Chancellor Merkel continue to avoid taking full control of the reigns in Europe? In his essay Why Germany is Leading From Behind, which originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal on November 4, 2011, Josef Joffe, Editor of Die Zeit and AICGS trustee, argues that Germany has a lot to lose in the current euro zone crisis. While the markets most often look to Angela Merkel for answers, it seems that a case of history is holding her back from truly leading her European counterparts.
