Public and published opinion in Germany: obstacles for a Social Europe?

Even Angela Merkel herself seems convinced that she can only win elections as long as the people believe that the euro crisis is ‘managed well’ and will not cost them anything. The author queries the view that the only way to convince the German people to save Europe is to apply a strict austerity program and a neo-liberal reform agenda.

He suggests that what the Germans really want is not austerity but stability – and that is what Chancellor Merkel delivers by austerity policies. The German public opinion is therefore not necessarily an obstacle for a stronger integrated and more social Europe. It is the lack of visionary political leaders and their obedience to published opinion.