Germany’s incoming government has big plans to make Europe more influential in the world. However, the two main political parties, the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), still have some disagreements over how to lead the European Union (EU). Both parties want to strengthen the EU, but they don’t yet agree on who should be in charge of EU policy.
The Goal: A Stronger European Union
Both the CDU and SPD are united in their goal to give Europe more power on the global stage. They want the EU to be stronger and better equipped to handle global challenges. Germany’s new government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, hopes to take the lead in Europe after the country’s previous government struggled with poor coordination and infighting over EU issues.
Friedrich Merz, a long-time EU veteran, is one of the key figures in shaping Germany’s vision for a stronger Europe. The new government wants to make the EU more independent and capable of acting quickly on global issues. The plan includes strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities and its ability to compete on the world stage.
Shifting Priorities in the EU Budget
One of the first challenges the new government faces is the EU’s budget. Germany wants to change the way the budget is spent. Instead of focusing on traditional priorities like agriculture, the new government wants to invest more in defense and European competitiveness. They argue that the world is changing, and Europe needs to adapt.
Germany plans to push for funding that will help strengthen Europe’s military and defense capabilities. This includes working with other EU countries to improve security across the continent. The new government also wants to support the integration of future EU member states. Germany believes that candidate countries should be brought into EU institutions gradually before becoming full members.
Supporting Ukraine and Foreign Policy Changes
Another important issue for the new government is support for Ukraine. The coalition has made it clear that they will continue to assist Ukraine “as long as it takes.” However, they avoid the phrase “whatever it takes,” which has been used by more hardline supporters of Ukraine. This subtle difference shows Germany’s cautious approach to supporting Ukraine while balancing other priorities.
The new government also wants to make changes to the EU’s foreign policy system. Currently, foreign policy decisions in the EU require unanimous approval from all member states. This system often leads to delays or blocked decisions. Germany wants to replace this system with a majority voting process. This would make it easier for the EU to make decisions quickly and avoid deadlock.
Germany also wants to change how EU decisions are made. They plan to use the passerelle clause to make some of these changes without needing a full treaty reform. The passerelle clause allows certain decisions to be made without changing the EU’s founding treaties. This approach would help speed up decision-making without requiring a major overhaul of EU rules.
Expanding Cooperation with Other EU Countries
Germany’s new government is also focused on strengthening its relationships with other EU countries. The coalition plans to involve Italy and Spain in a new format called “Weimar Plus.” This is an expansion of the existing Weimar Triangle, which has traditionally involved Germany, France, and Poland. By bringing Italy and Spain into this group, Germany hopes to improve cooperation within the EU and make Europe’s voice stronger on the global stage.
Disagreements Over Who Leads EU Policy
While the CDU and SPD agree on many aspects of the EU’s future, there are still some disagreements over who should lead EU policy. The main issue is how much power the Chancellor should have in decision-making.
The CDU wants Chancellor Merz to take charge of EU policy when there is no agreement among ministers. They believe the Chancellor should have the authority to step in during EU talks if necessary. This would allow Germany to take a more active role in shaping EU decisions.
However, the SPD is not happy with this proposal. They believe that the Chancellor should not have too much power and that decisions should be made by a more democratic process. The SPD suggests setting deadlines for decisions to encourage the government to reach an agreement more quickly. They argue that this approach would prevent decisions from being blocked because of disagreements between ministries.
The CDU rejects this idea because it still allows for abstention if no agreement is reached. This would continue to block Germany’s participation in key EU votes. As a result, both parties are still negotiating to find a solution.
The Future of Germany and Europe
As the negotiations continue, Germany’s new government faces an important challenge. They must find a way to strengthen Europe while also resolving internal disagreements. The final decisions made by the CDU and SPD will have a big impact on the future direction of the EU.
The new government is committed to making Europe stronger and more independent, but how they handle internal divisions will determine whether they can achieve this goal. For now, the CDU and SPD are working to finalize their coalition agreement and set a course for the future of Europe.