German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, July to December 2020

Summary:

Overview and information relating to the German presidency of the Council of the European Union, running from 1 July to 31 December 2020.

Further information:

Germany held the Presidency for the 13th time since the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The last time Germany had held this role was in 2007.

The German Presidency is the first of a new Presidency Trio, which also includes Portugal and Slovenia. The original plans for their Presidency strategy were adapted in light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The health, economic and social consequences of the crisis became the overarching matter on the agenda, with a focus on the future. The main action areas were defined as follows:

• Overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic + economic recovery;
• Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027;
• Negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship;
• Other topics, including digital transformation, climate change and Europe's role in the world.

The plans for the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union were presented by Chancellor Angela Merkel on 18 June. A meeting with the President of the European Commission marked the beginning of the Presidency on 2 July. Ms Merkel addressed the plenary of the European Parliament to present the priorities of the German Presidency on 8 July.

Official

Official Website of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union https://www.eu2020.de/eu2020-en

Germany: Federal Government: A brief explanation of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/faqs-ratspraesidentschaft-1756426

Trio Programme of the Council of the European Union (1 July 2020 - 31 December 2021) https://www.eu2020.de/eu2020-en/aktuelles/article/trio-programme-germany-portugal-slovenia/2353560

General Secretariat of the Council: 2020 German EU Presidency https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20200701-2020-german-eu-presidency

Goethe Institut: EU 2020: The Goethe-Institut for Europe https://www.goethe.de/en/kul/erp/eur.html

European Parliament: Headlines, 01/07/2020: “Together for Europe’s recovery”: Germany takes over Council presidency https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/eu-affairs/20200624STO81905/

Germany: Federal Chancellor: News, 01/07/2020: Germany Assumes Presidency of the Council of the European Union - "Filling the motto of the Presidency with life" https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-en/news/beginn-eu-ratspraesidentschaft-1765630

Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Press Release, 01/07/2020: Foreign Minister Maas on today’s start of Germany’s EU Council Presidency https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/maas-germany-eu-council-presidency/2361180

European Commission: News, 02/07/2020: Next six months crucial for the EU, says von der Leyen at the start of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ac_20_1265

European Commission: Remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany, on the beginning of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU (2 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_1263

Germany: Federal Chancellor: News, 02/07/2020: Discussion with the European Commission - Focus on overcoming the crisis and on the future https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-en/news/austausch-mit-eu-kommission-1766124

European Parliament: Press Release, 07/07/2020: German Presidency outlines priorities to EP committees https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200706IPR82739/

European Parliament: Press Release, 08/07/2020: Angela Merkel presents German Presidency priorities to the European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200706IPR82712/

European Commission: Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the presentation of the programme of activities of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU (8 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_1302

European Parliament: Press Release, 04/09/2020: German Presidency outlines priorities to EP committees https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200706IPR82739/

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News

EurActiv: Topics: German EU Presidency 2020 https://www.euractiv.com/topics/german-eu-presidency-2020/

Reuters, 12/04/2020: Coronavirus will dominate agenda of Germany's EU presidency: minister https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN21U050

Euronews, 18/06/2020: Merkel warns of 'permanent deep rift' in Europe over COVID-19 response https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/18/merkel-warns-of-permanent-deep-rift-in-europe-over-covid-19-response

EurActiv, 24/06/2020: German EU Presidency: Government sets priorities as ‘motor and moderator of Europe’ https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/german-eu-presidency-government-sets-priorities-as-motor-and-moderator-of-europe/

RFI News, 29/06/2020: Merkel, Macron meet as Germany takes on high-stakes EU presidency http://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20200629-merkel-macron-meet-as-germany-takes-on-high-stakes-eu-presidency

Reuters, 30/06/2020: Merkel's mission for EU presidency: 'Make Europe strong again' https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2411TV

AP News, 30/06/2020: Germany takes EU hot seat with big challenges, expectations https://apnews.com/b37b17c0f78d7ee5de5aca1b3888949a

EurActiv, 01/07/2020: Merkel’s legacy at stake as Germany takes EU reins https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/merkels-legacy-at-stake-as-germany-takes-eu-reins/

France24, 01/07/2020: Germany assumes EU presidency as Merkel pushes for massive bloc-wide recovery plan https://www.france24.com/en/20200701-germany-assumes-eu-presidency-as-merkel-pushes-for-bloc-wide-covid-19-recovery-plan

RFI News, 01/07/2020: Germany to lead push for Covid recovery plan as it takes on EU presidency http://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20200701-germany-to-lead-push-for-covid-recovery-plan-as-it-takes-on-eu-presidency-merkel-macron

EurActiv, 01/07/2020: German EU Presidency: Berlin to lead on EU economic policy https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/german-eu-presidency-berlin-to-lead-on-eu-economic-policy/

EUObserver, 02/07/2020: Merkel warns of gaps as Germany takes EU helm https://euobserver.com/institutional/148824

Euronews, 08/07/2020: EU recovery package in spotlight as Angela Merkel addresses European Parliament https://www.euronews.com/2020/07/08/eu-recovery-package-in-spotlight-as-angela-merkel-addresses-european-parliament

EurActiv, 08/07/2020: Merkel asks EU Parliament for ‘willingness to compromise’ ahead of mini-summit https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-priorities-2020/news/merkel-asks-the-eu-parliament-for-willingness-to-compromise-ahead-of-mini-summit/

Deutsche Welle, 08/07/2020: Germany's Angela Merkel calls for EU unity on coronavirus recovery https://p.dw.com/p/3ewYg

Reuters, 08/07/2020: Germany's Merkel says EU must prepare for no-deal Brexit https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN2491WX

Bloomberg, 08/07/2020: Merkel Urges EU to Rise to the Biggest Challenge in Its History https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-08/merkel-calls-for-eu-solidarity-to-tackle-virus-climate-risks

EUObserver, 08/07/2020: Merkel urges EU unity to hold off economic fallout and populism https://euobserver.com/political/148895

Politico, 08/07/2020: Merkel calls for swift deal on EU budget and recovery package https://www.politico.eu/article/calls-for-swift-deal-on-budget-and-recovery-package-angela-merkel-recovery-fund/

France24, 08/07/2020: Covid-19 has exposed the limits of 'fact-denying populism', Merkel tells European Parliament https://www.france24.com/en/20200708-covid-19-has-exposed-the-limits-of-fact-denying-populism-merkel-tells-european-parliament

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico: Special Reports: Berlin in Brussels https://www.politico.eu/special-report/germany-special-report-angela-merkel-ursula-von-der-leyen-presidency-council-eu-european-commission/

ECFR: Article, 15/10/2019: Germany at the helm: Can it bring Europe together in 2020? https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_germany_at_the_helm_can_it_bring_europe_together_in_2020

Deutsche Welle, 30/12/2019: Germany could make big EU impact in 2020 https://p.dw.com/p/3VEtl

Europa Nu: Analysis, 27/02/2020: German Council Presidency – Game changer or paralyzing factor? https://www.europa-nu.nl/id/vl6if2c0lzuk/nieuws/german_council_presidency_game_changer

Politico, 30/04/2020: German ‘corona presidency’ plan pivots to crisis management https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-angela-merkel-coronavirus-covid19-european-council-presidency-seeks-to-master-crisis-management-and-eu-reform/

IPS Journal, 07/05/2020: Germany has a lot on its plate during the EU Council presidency https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-union/article/show/germany-has-a-lot-on-its-plate-during-the-eu-council-presidency-4336/

EPC: Online Events, 04/06/2020: Germany’s priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union https://www.epc.eu/en/events/Germanys-priorities-for-the-Presidency-of~336c10

Politico, 16/06/2020: Brexit deal’s last hope: Germany https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/16/brexit-deals-last-hope-germany-325153

Hertie School: Jacques Delors Centre: Policy Brief, 22/06/2020: Managing expectations - The German Council Presidency https://www.delorscentre.eu/en/publications/detail/publication/the-german-council-presidency-managing-expectations

EurActiv, 23/06/2020: German EU Presidency: Influenced by lobbyists? https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/german-eu-presidency-influenced-by-lobbyists/

TEPSA: Recommendations from members of the TEPSA network to the German Presidency (24 June 2020) http://www.tepsa.eu/recommendations-from-members-of-the-tepsa-network-to-the-german-presidency/

FIIA: Briefing Paper, 25/06/2020: Germany’s EU Council presidency: Navigating the post-Covid political landscape https://www.fiia.fi/en/publication/germanys-eu-council-presidency

The Guardian, 26/06/2020: 'For Europe to survive, its economy needs to survive': Angela Merkel interview in full https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/26/for-europe-survive-economy-needs-survive-angela-merkel-interview-in-full

The Economist, 27/06/2020: Germany is doomed to lead Europe https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/06/27/germany-is-doomed-to-lead-europe

SWP: Comments (2020/C 33), June 2020: A Corona Presidency in the Coronavirus Crisis? The Dual Task of the German Presidency: Containing the Crisis and Giving a Lasting Impetus to European Solidarity and Autonomy https://www.swp-berlin.org/10.18449/2020C33/

IFRI: Notes du Cerfa (No 152), July 2020: Captain in the Storm: Challenges and opportunities for the German EU Council Presidency https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/notes-de-lifri/notes-cerfa/captain-storm-challenges-and-opportunities-german-council

The Guardian: Editorial, 28/06/2020: The Guardian view on Germany taking the EU presidency: good timing https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/28/the-guardian-view-on-germany-taking-the-eu-presidency-good-timing

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Issues (No 565), 29/06/2020: German presidency of the Council of the European Union: "... and suddenly everything is different." https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0565-german-presidency-of-the-council-of-the-european-union-..-and-suddenly-everything-is-different

IPS Journal, 29/06/2020: 'We’ve got to rekindle passion for the European cause' https://www.ips-journal.eu/interviews/article/show/weve-got-to-rekindle-passion-for-the-european-cause-4467/

Euronews, 30/06/2020: Germany takes on the EU's rotating six-month presidency https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/30/analysis-germany-takes-on-the-eu-s-rotating-six-month-presidency

IPS Journal, 30/06/2020: A new democratic impulse for Europe https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-union/article/show/a-new-democratic-impulse-for-europe-4470/

Munich Security Conference: News, 30/06/2020: Munich Security Brief: "The Enabling Power. Germany's European Imperative" https://securityconference.org/en/news/full/munich-security-brief-the-enabling-power-germanys-european-imperative/

Elcano Royal Institute: Expert Comment (No 26/20), 30/06/2020: A plea for the German Presidency: invest boldly and smartly in the future of Europe http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/portal/rielcano_en/contenido?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/elcano/elcano_in/zonas_in/commentary-pirozzi-tekin-toygur-a-plea-for-the-german-presidency

Deutsche Welle, 01/07/2020: Angela Merkel's last EU Council Presidency — what to expect https://p.dw.com/p/3ea7N

EurActiv: Video, 01/07/2020: Germany’s ‘crisis’ EU Presidency explained https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/video/germanys-crisis-eu-presidency-explained/

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 01/07/2020: Germany’s heavy burden https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/07/01/germanys-heavy-burden/

Euro|topics, June-July 2020: Angela Merkel: the right leader at the right time? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/243096/

IEP Berlin: Blog, 01/07/2020: Germany’s EU Council Presidency 2020 — Achieving more than managing expectations in challenging times http://iep-berlin.de/blog/germanys-eu-council-presidency-2020/

Euronews, 01/07/2020: Angela Merkel’s Council presidency will be a critical test for EU solidarity https://www.euronews.com/2020/07/01/angela-merkel-s-council-presidency-will-be-a-critical-test-for-eu-solidarity-view

GMFUS: Blog, 01/07/2020: Germany Should Not be an Honest Broker with the EU’s Autocrats https://www.gmfus.org/blog/2020/07/01/germany-should-not-be-honest-broker-eus-autocrats

DGAP: Press Release, 01/07/2020: Expectations for the Germany's EU Council Presidency https://dgap.org/en/press/press-releases/expectations-germanys-eu-council-presidency

EPRS: Blog, 01/07/2020: Priority Dossiers Under The German EU Council Presidency https://epthinktank.eu/2020/07/01/priority-dossiers-under-the-german-eu-council-presidency/

Institut Montaigne: Blog: Interview, 03/07/2020: The German Presidency of the European Union: Priorities and Stakes https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/blog/german-presidency-european-union-priorities-and-stakes

UK in a Changing Europe: Analysis, 03/07/2020: The German Council presidency and Brexit https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-german-council-presidency-and-brexit/

Euro|topics, July 2020: Merkel in Brussels: take "Community" literally https://www.eurotopics.net/en/243755/

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