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Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
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German leadership in the eurozone and the EU- with the strong stand for eurozone countries to do their economic homework and restore fiscal balance, and the action taken to bring the EU countries together on Russian intervention in Ukraine- is leading to questions about the dominant role played by Germany. Chancellor Merkel has played a leadership role partly because of the absence of other leaders with strong support in their home base who could provide such leadership. Merkel's poll rating in Germany actually shot up during the eurozone crisis from 40% in 2010 to 70% in 2013, and steady at 67% in June 2015, as German taxpayers and voters see Merkel as preventing debt ridden countries in the eurozone passing on higher costs in the debt crisis to Germany. With German wages kept low for the last decade to ensure a economic recovery and lower unemployment, Germans see no reason to support other eurozone countries when a low wage sector exists inside Germany, except under conditions that ensure fiscal balance. In a Harris poll taken in France June 30-July 1, 2015, Chancellor Merkel is rated higher at 43% expressing approval compared to 36% saying they approve of French premier Hollande's handling of the Greece and eurozone crisis. Over 50% of people in Spain and in France disapprove of Merkel's handling of the eurozone crisis, yet two thirds of France's main centre right party support Merkel's handling of the eurozone crisis. In the Harris poll when asked how Merkel, IMF, Hollande and Tsipras handled the Greece crisis people polled in France gave 43% approval to the IMF and Merkel compared to 36% for Hollande and Tsipras of Greece, and 60% disapprove of Hollande and Tsipras handling of the crisis compared to 53% disapproval for the IMF and Merkel. The Christian Democrats party in Germany has dominant leaders in its tradition starting with Konrad Adenauer in the early postwar years, through the Kohl years during reunification and Merkel in the eurozone crisis. By contrast the Social Democrats from the period under Wily Brandt, through the Schmidt years and Schroeder have operated under more of a consensus leadership. Under Sigmar Gabriel or some other Social Democratic leader Germany is likely to have a different style of leadership in the future, especially because the German public does not favor Germany playing this kind of dominant role. At different points in the eurozone crisis Merkel's leadership was needed for decisionmaking- making banks take a 50% writedown on their loans in negotiation with Charles Dallara in Brussels, calling for Italy's president to bring in a new government (led by Mario Monti) when premier Berlusconi failed to make needed changes, and providing flexibility for spending rules for Spain, Italy and France. Merkel has actually moved to the centre to maintain popular support inside Germany, especially since the new coalition government was formed with Social Democrat leader Sigmar Gabriel. On the other major issue of immigration Merkel has provided decisive leadership to prevent the rise of anti-immigrant parties in Germany. Herfried Munkler, author of "Power in the Middle," about why Germany is playing this role may provide clues to Germany's role- by representing different aspects of German public opinion Merkel has prevented the rise of right wing populist or nationalist parties in Germany, which would distort the German narrative about what it sees as its role in keeping Europe together after three wars.
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The German response to the debt crisis in the eurozone and the events in 2011-2012.
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The EU proposal on Greece made by Hollande and Merkel on June 2, 2015
06/03/2015
The June 2015 proposals provide EU concessions on public sector worker reduction, and the surplus targets for 2015-2017, in an effort to reach a settlement. French president Hollande and German chancellor Merkel worked together to come up with a deal for Greece. Greece will have to make some cuts in the middle of a deep downturn, and continue reforms, but the plan takes into account the current situation by setting lower surplus targets and giving Greece more time to correct its finances.
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Greece’s Creditors Make Some Concessions as Showdown Approaches
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09/20/2011
Gerhard Schroeder describes his approach to a new Agenda 2020 for Europe. Schroeder implemented Agenda 2010 for Germany with changes to the welfare state in Germany starting in 2003. He talks about how this was done and important decisions that were made at the time for implementing it without losing public confidence, which bear directly on the situation today.
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Germany reaps rewards of entitlement cuts - The Washington Post
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Germany's chancellor Merkel's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis and the call for a "persistent NATO presence" in the Baltic states- Sept. 2014
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German Leader Emerges as Key Figure in Ukraine Talks
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Ukraine Ends ‘Nonaligned’ Status, Earning Quick Rebuke From Russia
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Talks and meetings of Francois Hollande of France and Angela Merkel of Germany in 2012 and 2015
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Year Into Hollande Presidency, âa Sense of Driftâ
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Increased scrutiny of anti-immigrant party Pegida in 2015 as its message conflicts with Chancellor Merkel's message of tolerance in Germany
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An effort to preserve the German environment of an immigrant friendly country by chancellor Merkel, Christian Democrats and Social Democrats in the coalition government. This leads to increased scrutiny of Pegida which begins to fall apart with more information appearing about the background of the leaders in the movement.
Grouped Articles
German Anti-Immigrant Leaders Resign
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In Germany, an Ugly Past Rears Its Head
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Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
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German public opinion on the failure of talks and the referendum in Greece in July 2015
07/04/2015
Polls show about 70% of Germans support finance minister Schauble in the talks with Greece.
Grouped Articles
Collapse of Greek Bailout Deal Brings Surprise Boost to German Coffers
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Merkel’s German Critics Say Greek Bailout Was Doomed From Start
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Public sentiment in Spain towards the eurozone in 2012-2013
10/15/2012
Shifting sentiment in Spain towards the eurozone as 57% of Spaniards say the eurozone is not good for Spain in a October 2012 poll. This happens as prime minister Rajoy has to make a decision to ask for aid from the EU with conditions attached. A request for aid was made a condition for funds approved for Spain which would come with conditions and sovereign responsibility for funds going to Spanish banks. The feeling in Spain is that the aid restrictions are a result of party politics in Germany ahead of elections for chancellor.
Grouped Articles
Germany's Surplus Isn't the Problem
Wall Street Journal 11/11/2013
Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
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Some in Spain Blame Germany for Bailoutâs Delay
New York Times 10/15/2012
Venezuela Casts a Long Shadow on Elections in Spain
The New York Times 06/19/2016
Challenges Chancellor Merkel faces in Germany on immigration and Greece's position in the eurozone in 2015
12/31/2014
In the tenth year of the Merkel administration questions are raised about whether her position on immigration is out of touch with ordinary Germans. Her New Years Eve message included a reference to the Dresden marches on immigration saying that these people had "prejudice, coldness, and even hatred in their hearts." Immigration and paying the cost of integrating immigrants was one of the issues in 2014 Swedish elections, and is an issue today in the UK and France. The terrorist attack in France by radical Muslims has created new tensions in 2015.
Grouped Articles
Euro and Immigration Promise Challenges for Merkel in 2015
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Big Anti-Immigration Rally in Germany Prompts Counterdemonstrations
New York Times 01/12/2015
Wall Street Journal 01/21/2015
Russia Links Loom Larger as Greece Seeks Debt Relief
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Greek Financing Talks Break Down Amid Deep Divisions Over Bailout
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What does Germany want from the Euro and the European Union? The Euro issue facing Germany in 2011-2015
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German political leaders do not want a "transfer union." At the same time they want to keep the European Union, just as much as Chancellor Kohl and Chancellor Adenauer. Merkel, Schroeder, Schauble and other leaders agree on the need for the European Union. The question is how to bring fiscal discipline to the EU, even if this means redesigning the structure of the EU. The vision of a united Europe persists.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 03/03/2010
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New York Times 05/22/2014
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The 2011 Christian Democratic Union Party Convention in Leipzig, Germany
07/13/2011
It was at the 2003 CDU convention in Leipzig that Angela Merkel told delegates that the CDU would return Germany to it position of economic leadership in Europe.
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Germany's Angela Merkel's decisiveness at key moments in the eurozone crisis 2010-2012
04/29/2010
In dealing with bankers on bondholder losses for loans to Greece, with Greece's prime minister Papandreou over a proposed referendum on debt reduction, and with French president Sarkozy on bondholder losses to reduce Greek debt, at every turn Angela Merkel showed a clear decisiveness during the eurozone crisis in 2011-2012. After a no confidence vote for premier Berlusconi in Italy's parliament Merkel persuaded president Napolitano to win consensus for the formation of a new government headed by Mario Monti, EU commissioner. After earlier fumbling with the crisis in actions by Merkel in 2010, the German chancellor learned from errors and improved her handling of the eurozone crisis in 2011-2013.
Grouped Articles
Deepening Crisis Over Euro Pits Leader Against Leader
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Germany's role in world affairs with chancellor Merkel and foreign minister Steinmeier in 2014-2016
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Grouped Articles
Steinmeier Says Germany Needs to Stay Engaged in World Affairs
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German Stance on Russia Complicates Long-Cultivated Tie as G-7 Meets
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Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
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Vladimir Putin: For Trump and Against Merkel | ZEIT ONLINE
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Germany president: Steinmeier chosen by lawmakers - BBC News
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Germany's Social Democrat foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Germany-Russia relations
11/19/2014
Steinmeier has continued to maintain Russia relations under a policy of Ostpolitik even after strains over Ukraine. He was foreign minister in 2005-2009 and assumed the position in the new coalition government with Merkel's Christian Democrats. He has no illusions about transition to a multipolar world and believes the lessons from World War I of ignoring the impact of conflicts at the periphery should not be forgotten. At the same time he says miltary restraint should not mean "political constraints."
Grouped Articles
Frank-Walter Steinmeier Meets With Vladimir Putin
New York Times 11/19/2014
Russian President Vladimir Putin Seeks to Reassure on Economy
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Russia's Central Bank Acts to Save Trust Bank, a Failing Lender, With More Rescues Expected
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In Reversal, Germany Cools to Russian Investment
New York Times 12/28/2014
Steinmeier Says Germany Needs to Stay Engaged in World Affairs
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2015
Angela Merkel and François Hollande to Press Putin on Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 02/07/2015
The Christian Democrats, the AfD, and Pegida- anti-immigration sentiment in Germany and Chancellor Merkel's move to the centre
12/12/2014
Grouped Articles
Populist Surge Challenges Germany’s Political Establishment
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Proud to Offend, Charlie Hebdo Carries Torch of Political Provocation
New York Times 01/07/2015
Euro and Immigration Promise Challenges for Merkel in 2015
New York Times 12/31/2014
Big Anti-Immigration Rally in Germany Prompts Counterdemonstrations
New York Times 01/12/2015
German Anti-Immigrant Leaders Resign
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What Drives Young Muslims to Radicalization
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German reaction to the debt crisis in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy.
04/09/2009
Germany said to be turning nationalistic in this crisis, seeing Germany's economic successes as its own, and not accepting the advantage of export markets in Europe in strengthening Germany's economic position.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 03/03/2010
New York Times 11/03/2013
Germany's Surplus Isn't the Problem
Wall Street Journal 11/11/2013
How Italy's ENI Vastly Boosted Oil Output
BusinessWeek 04/09/2009
Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
Wall Street Journal 07/07/2015
New York Times 05/26/2010
Shifts in German public opinion to bailouts of other European countries
12/01/2010
Grouped Articles
Germany reaps rewards of entitlement cuts - The Washington Post
Washington Post 09/20/2011
Collapse of Greek Bailout Deal Brings Surprise Boost to German Coffers
Wall Street Journal 07/04/2015
Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
Wall Street Journal 07/07/2015
Merkel’s German Critics Say Greek Bailout Was Doomed From Start
Wall Street Journal 07/08/2015
Debt crisis tests German ties to euro
Washington Post 12/01/2010
Merkel's Defense of Euro Forged in East Germany
New York Times 01/30/2011
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