Germany’s chancellor must now clarify what leadership role she wants to play in Europe, Alexandru Coita writes in the blog portal Contributors.

by Alexandru Coita. Published on September 23 2013 in EuroTopics

 “It seems increasingly unlikely that the French-German tandem will continue to be the motor behind European integration, particularly as France is losing clout on the European level. One alternative would no doubt be for Berlin to adopt the role of ‘benevolent hegemon’. That would give Europe a clear direction, but it would also run the risk of strengthening anti-European parties in the weaker countries. … One compromise would be to unite a small group of heavyweight European states such as France, Poland and the Netherlands, which along with Germany would form the hard core that would point the way forward for the EU. That would give the entire project increased legitimacy among supporters of a traditional European social model, countries with a conservative fiscal policy and the new eastern member states.”

http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/autorenindex/autor-coita-alexandru/