When Germany’s chancellor assumes the presidency of the European Union in 2007, she will not inherit a stable empire with a satisfied populace. Rather, she is taking the reins of a project that is satisfying neither its people nor its leaders.

There seem to be two contrary points of view popular in Europe: 1) The world needs a stronger, more unified Europe; and 2) European integration is too cumbersome.

On one thing, though, everyone can agree: the status quo is a mess. For one, Europe has less authority in world organizations than its leaders would like.

Case in point: Officials now support the idea of speaking with one voice in world organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. imf rules recently changed to give more power to larger developing countries, which reduced the power of individual European nations. But if Europe spoke with a single mind, its clout would increase exponentially.

More than a simple lack of clout though, Europe’s ability to project what power it does have is slow at best, working through numerous foreign ministers and governments before any sort of action can be taken.

One of the key proposals to increase European power is the creation of a single EU foreign minister who will more effectively represent Europe’s collective will. EUobserver.com reports that a majority of EU citizens favor this proposal. It also notes that this position is unlikely to materialize without an EU constitution in effect. This is a major development because it shows that the populace of the EU, which has been unsupportive of certain pillar EU ideals, might finally support its leaders’ federalist plans. The formation of a foreign minister post is a key component of the failed EU constitution.

For months now, EU leaders have discussed the need to revive the constitution, despite its rejection by both French and Dutch voters in national referenda. Last week, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said plans to revitalize the EU constitution would be a top priority when Chancellor Merkel becomes EU president: “We need this constitution so that we have a better representation in foreign and security policies.”

This is just the latest in a long string of statements supporting the constitution from German leaders who well know that European citizens rejected it. Merkel herself said earlier this year that it is simply a matter of “finding the correct time to act.” With European citizens beginning to warm to the idea of a more powerful Europe, and Germany taking the EU’s most prominent role, the time for a major push to strengthen EU policy—the time to revive the constitution if it is ever to happen—appears imminent.

A growing chorus of voices wants to see Europe take on a more muscular role in the global arena. Jean Pisani-Ferry, head of the think tank Bruegel, lamented, “Europe stands out for its lack of leadership and its incapacity to take on global responsibility.” Momentum is building behind initiatives that will remedy that problem. Watch for major progress on the European unity front when Germany takes the lead—no nation is pushing harder for a single, powerful Europe with a single foreign minister driven by a cohesive, unifying constitution.

Here is another proposal of the constitution: a permanent EU presidency to replace the current six-month rotation. Is it possible that Germany will find a way to implement that proposal during its 2007 presidential tenure?

In his book The Rotten Heart of Europe, Bernard Connolly warned that the European Union was only a “cloak for German ambitions.” As we see the power of the European Union grow, put him to the test. See which nation grabs the reins of power.

Our booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire shows why we are certain Germany will lead Europe. Events are leading unerringly toward the formation of a European superpower with the German nation at the lead. The time for Europe to speak with one voice is coming—and have no doubt: That voice will be German.