Germany and Europe, there is no love anymore

When I was still at school in the beginning of this century, Europe was a house build on a strong foundation. The European people realized, that together they where stronger than as lone nation states. When I look back to these easy pictures for school girls and boys to understand, this house is shattered today. This house seems to be no home for Germany anymore, it never was.

When the Euro was introduced, German media was full of massages, that this new currency would make everything more expansive and that the German public was played by the evil bureaucrats in Brussels.

This view of Brussels dictating legislation, which was unpopular in the public, was fostered by politicians who saw a chance of not being to blame for their own (hard) decisions. This behavior is still visible today, when the German government hides behind the troika, when demanding hard reforms from Greece.

German government hides behind the troika

The true story as is, that Germany plays hardball in Brussels when it comes to the negotiations with Greece and announces to its own public that they are just following the positions of the Troika.

It seems sad but true, Europe can not expect the German public to help change the position of the German government. The public seems to be happy with political theater broken down to just buzzwords like “trust”, “principle” and “homework”. They do not want to be bother with a real discussion on the fundaments of European integration. They are fine with the way it is. German exports are high and unemployment is low. Why change that?

Germany did its “homework” and they hate us again

The dominant view in Germany right now is: Germany did its “homework” (agenda 2010, which fostered German competitiveness and created a massive low-pay sector) and the other countries in Europe should just follow the German example and everything will be fine.

After this weekend of European negotiations the German public is shocked that the world thinks #thisisacoup and that there are so harsh pictures of Schäuble hung on a tree. Media reports on this phenomenon with the message “they hate us again”, not explaining why they do.

Krugman, Sachs and Piketty are just snobbish scientist, who do not understand that “we, the people” worked hard for this position and want to blame us for being so great. There is no need for listening to them and their crazy theories.

For the German public Europe seems to be an unbehaved step-child who does not want to work und wants money from us again and again.
Germany never got over the self-perception of being the paymaster of Europe. There seems to be no other dimension in public debate aubout Europe then money.

Germany has no plan for the future of Europe

Germany could shape Europe in a positive way. Calling for more political and financial integration. Calling for a real concept of how to treat refugees coming to Europe. Calling for an European Army and Security agency. Even calling for United States of Europe. We see all the problems, we can not solve on our own anymore, but instead of transitioning the EU to a true state, the reaction is reversed in fear of losing something. The Germans seem to want to live in their cozy German home and not in the European house.

This behavior of Germany is dangerous. Germany is a reluctant hegemon with no plan for the future of Europe.

Tl; dr
Germany is way too self-centered to come up with a real plan of European future.