As Germany assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the Union is facing the “biggest test of its history”, in the words of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The considerable current challenges are related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a severe economic recession. The weight of expectations on Berlin to assume a European leadership role during the presidency are as extraordinary as those challenges. What exactly do other member states expect from Germany and how do they set their policy priorities?
To answer this questions and explore the expectations of various member states, the European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN) has compiled an analysis of 15 different national perspectives. On behalf of the European Institute of Romania (EIR), Bogdan Mureșan and Mihai Sebe, experts from the European Studies Unit, have provided such a contribution in the collective report, offering a national perspective.
The full text of the special report Member states’ expectations towards the German Council Presidency, available in English, may be accessed here.