The new German European Policy: challenges to decentralised EU policy coordination

Summary:

The inauguration of a new government gives the unique opportunity for political renewal. This could also hold true for the German policy towards European integration and the European Union (EU). A grand coalition consisting of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social-Democratic Party (SPD) came to power in November 2005.

Within the theoretical framework of continuity and change of German foreign policy this paper compares the German EU policy during the mandate of Gerhard Schröder (SPD) and Angela Merkel (CDU), substantiated by possible institutional amendments. Does the change of government entail a new German EU policy? Traditionally, the foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany is marked by a high degree of continuity and reliance on European cooperation.

The former coalition consisting of the SPD and the Green party introduced a pragmatic approach towards the EU and on the international stage2. Chancellor Schröder pursued a new style of governance that was more self-assured and stressed national interests. This also influenced the substantive German EU policy. How does the current government address the dichotomy between traditional support for European integration and new pragmatism?