How might Merkel’s successor manage Germany’s role in the EU?

The German election comes at a critical time for the bloc, which is grappling with the pandemic, defence issues and the rise of illiberalism. Their discussions in the Elysee palace touched on the EU’s pandemic recovery package, climate change and defence policy – all priorities for Angela Merkel’s successor. “ ensure that there is no division between north and south and west and east in Europe, but rather that the further integration of Europe succeeds.” Laschet, who hails from Aachen, a western city with strong French influence, is a committed Europhile and believes a more tightly aligned union would tackle continent-wide, issues such as the pandemic and climate change. “They’re all on the same page when it comes to Europe with some differences mostly related to fiscal union.” During Merkel’s leadership, Germany has held the whip hand of eurozone fiscal policy, notably demanding that bailout funds for countries devastated by the financial crash should be conditional on strict budget austerity – which critics have said led to rising inequality and spurred the rise of far-right populism. CDU Secretary General Paul Ziemiak recently lashed out at the SDP, warning voters that Scholz’s proposals would “flood the EU” with Germany money.