Merkel and Schroder’s Attitudes to the EU

Schroder was the first chancellor to see the EU beyond its necessary role in European peace and stability since 1945, he saw it more as an advantageous economic tool to increase Germany’s employment rate, further increase its balance of payment surplus, and to promote Germany’s interest on the global stage.

Merkel has carried on this role and is still pressing for many of the things Schroder was.
Both chancellors have had the advantage of holding the EU presidency during their leadership and have took advantage of this in pressing for their own agenda
During Schroder six month presidency in 1999, and Merkel’s in 2007 both went immediately into promoting self interest for their citizens;

• Both sought institutional reform through the EU constitution, and
• Both tried to lower their high contribution costs to the EU

Schroder managed to strike a deal with France on this regarding the CAP in 2002.

Both Chancellors’ have been keen to promote enlargement, although both are against Turkey’s accession, mainly on human right grounds. In this area Schroder has been much more liberal in the enlargement, while Merkel is keen on the idea of “semi-membership” and wants to clearly define the borders of enlargement.

Both chancellors’ have played an active role in trying to promote Germany’s influence on the world’s politics.

In Dec 1999 Schroder signed the St. Malo agreement which led to the German invasion of Kosovo, this against a UN mandate, first military engagement since 1945. This shows Schroder’s determination in ruling first for Germany and then the EU. Merkel has not engaged in military action, however has shown her determination of increasing the role of the EU as a whole in foreign matters. Like Schroder, Merkel has been pressing for greater significance of the EU in common foreign policy and has been pressing for a European foreign minister through the EU constitution.

Since the Berlin declaration in 2007 Merkel has extended her ambitions for a common goal of nation states to combat terrorism, organised crime, illegal immigration, ensure respect for human rights and eradicate right wing extremist (significant with the accession of countries such as Poland where the league of Polish families, a fascist party has parliamentary seats)
Both chancellors’ have been pressing hard for a EU constitution and have come with strong opposition across the EU.

In the IGC (intergovernmental conference) Schroder tried to push for a big role and impact by Germany in the making of the constitution. In 2003 Schroder tried to get the following into all EU institutions