Chasing a Chimera
Comment - Times Online
"Chasing a Chimera
Germany must put growth, not the EU constitution, at the heart of its presidency
Like a giant waking from a long slumber, Germany takes over the leadership of the European Union next month just when its politicians and businessmen are at last feeling more confident. The economic growth rate has picked up sharply, reflecting some of the essential, though not spectacular, reforms introduced over the past two years. The grand coalition, led by Angela Merkel, the Christian Democratic Chancellor, has proved more capable than many Germans expected when it took office, though its popularity has fallen back considerably since the heady days of the World Cup. And Germany’s unions and voters appear finally to have understood that without a robust economy, underpinned by realistic social policies, Germany will be unable to exercise its full and due weight in Europe."
"Chasing a Chimera
Germany must put growth, not the EU constitution, at the heart of its presidency
Like a giant waking from a long slumber, Germany takes over the leadership of the European Union next month just when its politicians and businessmen are at last feeling more confident. The economic growth rate has picked up sharply, reflecting some of the essential, though not spectacular, reforms introduced over the past two years. The grand coalition, led by Angela Merkel, the Christian Democratic Chancellor, has proved more capable than many Germans expected when it took office, though its popularity has fallen back considerably since the heady days of the World Cup. And Germany’s unions and voters appear finally to have understood that without a robust economy, underpinned by realistic social policies, Germany will be unable to exercise its full and due weight in Europe."
