2012/02/04

Too much or too little leadership? Germany’s new role in Europe

2012 will be a decisive year for Europe. Germany will naturally have to assume a leadership role. Yet, political leaders are reluctant to accept it – if they do at all

Minister of Defence Thomas de Maizière (Foto: Zwez)

Usually, the look in Munich is not directed towards the inside, but rather towards the outside, from Germany to the hotspots of the world. Yet, Germany’s role in Europe and the world was the opening topic of this year’s Munich Security Conference. This is why recognized authorities on Germany from partner nations joined German Minister of Defense Thomas de Maizière and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) parliamentary group Frank Walter Steinmeier on the podium: Timothy Garton Ash from Britain, Radek Sikorski from Poland, and Robert Zoellick from the U.S.

What does the world, particularly Europe, expect from Germany? Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radek Sikorski recently gave a much-publicized speech on the subject in Berlin. He said that Germany had to admit that it was the biggest beneficiary of European integration. This came with a great obligation to further the European cause. His fear of German inactivity was greater than his fear of Germany not meeting its responsibility for Europe.

“For a long time, this question alone would have meant breaking a taboo, above all the question of Germany’s military role or responsibility,” Thomas de Maizière said in his opening remarks. The German Defense Minister asked the partners for their understanding. Over the last few years, he noted, Germany had already come a long way: “For good reason, we have already assumed more international responsibility than we can explain to some of our citizens. Mentalities change slower than the situation.”

Frank Walter Steinmeier also stressed that in Germany, it was not easy to explain the need for increased German commitment to Europe. Therefore, it was the politicians’ task to canvass support for Europe and to make clear that doing so was in Germany’s own long-term interest. Germany’s success was its most vulnerable spot: After all, 60 percent of German exports, he said, were going to the EU partner states. That is why Germany had an inherent economic interest in ensuring the stability of the Eurozone.

The means to achieve this stabilization, however, are still a subject of dispute. De Maizière even complained that there were many calls for German leadership that were actually motivated by the wish for more money. But if the solution went into a certain direction, it was met with great resistance, he added. The other panelists agreed that fiscal austerity alone would not bring about a sustainable solution. While Germany has successfully insisted on consolidating the budget, it is particularly this area where expectations run high for Germany to do more.

Indeed, this situation seems to reflect the basic dilemma historian Timothy Garton Ash (Oxford) pointed out in imitation of Thomas Mann: “Today, we have a European Germany in a German Europe.” Ironically, of all things it was the monetary union that gave rise to Germany’s prominent role in Europe. Today, monetary policy was especially characterized by German principles.

“Do not let success get to your head,” Radek Sikorski gave the audience to take along. But he also said that Poland was ready to support Germany when European initiatives were concerned.

According to Garton Ash, the question whether Germany would now seize the opportunity to use its resources positively was about to be answered. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, fully shared this view. Zoellick, who participated in the negotiations about Germany’s reunification, had only recently published a commentary calling on Germany to step up its commitment to saving the Euro. He also thinks that Germany is at a crossroads now: “2012 could be a year where Germany becomes a leader of Europe ... or it could be the year in which Germany stumbles and draws the ire of Europe.”

As the debate showed, this is and will remain a fine line – with many stumbling blocks along the way at home and abroad.