With the new year, Germany has assumed the presidency of both the European Council as well as the G8, and great expectations have been created regarding the country’s abilities to make important decisions with respect to the multiple problems faced on the international scene, especially within the European context.
For its part, Berlin has been searching for a greater role within international politics over the last few years, and, specifically for the government led by chancellor Angela Merkel, this double presidency is an excellent opportunity to bolster Germany’s prestige not only as a diplomatic player, but also as one of the pillars of global governance.
(Photo by Tim M. Hoesmann)