Will Germany’s new government restore its role as a bold leader of the EU?

<p>Friedrich Merz can rebuild European relationships and be a driving force on defence spending, but faces Trump’s upending of postwar certainties</p><p>Germany has long been seen as the <a href="https://dgap.org/en/events/i-fear-german-power-less-german-inaction">EU’s “indispensable nation”</a> – the biggest, richest and most consequential power. But in recent years Berlin has widely been regarded as missing in action in the EU, hobbled by internecine feuding in a coalition government that has caused <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/24/germany-facing-eu-backlash-over-u-turn-on-phasing-out-combustion-engine">flip-flops and delayed decisions</a>.</p><p>Olaf Scholz has a cool relationship with Emmanuel Macron, slowing down the fabled <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/15/why-the-franco-german-engine-that-powered-the-eu-is-now-almost-kaput">Franco-German motor that powers the EU</a>. The Polish-German relationship has also been rocky, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/30/donald-tusk-polish-revival-masks-deeper-divisions-with-german-neighbours">strained by disputes over European air defence</a> and historical grievances.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/restoration-of-germany-as-bold-eu-leader">Continue reading...</a>