Germany Reacts to Constitution Crisis
Pressure makes some people work better. As it goes for individuals, so it goes for nations. Certain countries thrive on crisis management.
Germany is one of those countries. It’s even been known to covertly create a crisis in order to solve it and thus increase its power and prestige. One recent example concerned its recognition of certain separatist states in Yugoslavia in the early 1990s that helped spawn a crisis in the Balkans; this allowed Germany to put its military back into commission (after being essentially unexploited since World War ii) and play a leading role in the “solution.”
Now Europe is in the midst of another crisis. The rejection of the EU constitution by the French and Dutch last week is causing some to call the end of a united Europe. But notice how Germany is reacting—how it is striving to push ahead with further European integration—and you can see that the dream of a united Europe is not dead. Germany will make it happen—and on its own terms. As German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said, “I will not give up in working for this constitution, for a united Europe which we need” (Deutsche Welle, June 3).
During the Dutch referendum on the EU constitution, when the “no” vote appeared beyond doubt, Chancellor Schröder called his Dutch counterpart to float an idea. Schröder “used the EU treaty crisis to revive efforts to establish a close-knit core group of nations forging ahead with key policies regardless of the rest” (Scotsman, June 2, emphasis mine throughout).
Despite the Dutch prime minister refusing the offer, Schröder’s move was very telling. Not only did it show how determined Germany is to continue with a united Europe idea, but it tipped Germany’s hand on how it could use this crisis to push for a “core Europe”—a leaner, meaner political machine. This is something Germany has been seeking for several years now (along with France). Perhaps now that the constitution’s future is bleak, thanks in part to France, Germany might get what it wants: unrestrained access to the driver’s seat of Europe.
The Deutsche Welle article even stated: “With French President Jacques Chirac compromised by the decisive ‘no’ from his electorate in Sunday’s French referendum, Schröder—the other half of the Franco-German engine at the heart of Europe—has been forced to lead the salvage operation.”
“Germany and France have often sought to capitalize on EU splits to build an inner club” (op. cit.). Yes, Germany will use this crisis to get what it wants. We could even speculate that Germany anticipated such a crisis over the document—even secretly encouraged it—to see its designs pushed through.
Now that European politics have been upset, Germany may be able to realize a united Europe that moves ahead on Berlin’s terms. The idea of a “core Europe” or an “inner circle” of nations may be one of Germany’s wishes come true.
Germany—particularly the conservatives in Germany, who will likely gain power in the next national elections—is also opposed to further expansion of the EU. As Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber put it, Europe first needs a “period of consolidation.” Berlin is likely to have this wish granted, as the EU pauses to contemplate its relevance in the wake of these constitution rejections.
Germany has also been largely opposed to Turkey joining the EU. In fact, many believe that when the French and Dutch said no to the constitution, they were, in part, saying no to Turkish membership. Now, Germany is using those results to achieve its goal of keeping a Muslim nation out of the EU (a united Europe will undoubtedly end up being a Catholic Europe). Angela Merkel, favored candidate for Germany’s new chancellor, “interpreted the French rejection of the European constitution as a secret vote against Turkish entry …” (Times, London, May 31). Merkel (campaigning on a platform of harsher crackdowns on Islamic fundamentalists in Germany) said that these results should lead to “honest discussion” on the issue. Guess what? EU leaders are questioning whether accession talks should continue with Turkey.
All of Germany’s dreams for Europe are coming true.
Watch for Germany to capitalize on further crises in Europe. Soon, this nation will produce a leader to bring Europe the unity it desires. Right now, he is simply an emperor without an empire. But with Germany’s help, a united Europe will become that empire!
This is what the late Herbert W. Armstrong pointed to: that Europe was “waiting for the confidence-inspiring leader—an international all-European Hitler …” (Plain Truth, November-December 1954). This man will rally Europe’s sovereign nations to pool their sovereignty. “That man is there somewhere.”
For more on Germany’s “grand design” for Europe, see our January 2004 article on the subject. For more on Germany’s part in a coming European empire, see our booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.
