German foreign policy leadership

Germany and the UK: Hints of a role reversal

  • Almut Möller
  • Note from Berlin

The EU debate in Berlin has moved on to one that is more instrumental, aiming to work out what the Union can contribute to protect and empower Europe’s citizens to continue their lives in freedom, security, and prosperity. 

Leading from the centre: Germany’s role in Europe

  • Josef Janning, Almut Möller
  • Publication

Berlin does not want to dominate Europe, but to exercise leadership via EU institutions – something that will be essential in a post-Brexit world

The swansong of Germany’s foreign policy president

  • Almut Möller
  • Note from Berlin

Gauck’s commitment to bringing the German people into the conversation has helped to widen the space for a challenge to a stronger German role in European and international security

Sound and fury over Germany’s genocide vote

  • Aslı Aydıntaşbaş
  • Commentary

Turkey’s outrage at the German vote on the Armenian genocide is for domestic consumption – Erdoğan is careful not to derail his deal with the EU or become still more isolated

Armenian genocide, German realpolitik

  • Josef Janning
  • Commentary

At a time when Germany and the EU are depending on Turkey’s help to solve the refugee crisis, the German political class clearly feels the need to demonstrate that this does not give Turkey a free hand when it comes to democracy and human rights issues

30 May

Workshop Losing the European reflex? The German question revisited

  • ECFR Berlin

On the 30th of May ECFR Berlin, the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Stiftung Mercator convened a workshop on what has controversially been framed “the new German question”. Experts from different member states addressed both objective and normative aspects of Germany’s leadership within the EU

Germany’s defence doublespeak

  • Almut Möller
  • Note from Berlin

While Germany's role in security is of increasing importance, German politicians must downplay it for a domestic audience