The Globalist

There are signs of the beginning of a reset in German relations with Russia. But serious impediments to a pragmatic relationship remain.

A German as head of the European Commission? If this is unstoppable, leave the German man who is lined up for the post in Berlin. Instead, send a powerful German woman to Brussels.

Trump, the politician, evidently always needs a woman to beat up on. Think Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Angela Merkel, Theresa May, Margrethe Vestager and Omarosa Manigault Newman.

In the age of Trump, the EU must strive toward ending its psychological and emotional dependency on the U.S. and be prepared to act unilaterally and independently.

For all the attention currently paid to Russia, let us not forget the long list of other places in the world where the current government of the United States has not been upholding the causes of political freedom, democracy and national sovereignty.

It isn’t just about Angela Merkel or Trump’s general misogyny. The current U.S. President’s negative attitude toward Germany is rooted in his grandfather’s murky personal biography.

The demise of the current Merkel government is not the most likely outcome yet. Both CSU and CDU would have too much to lose from it.

Germany’s SPD has long seen Macron as a beacon of hope. But his stance on migration policy will greatly frustrate them – and rob Angela Merkel of her European cover.

If the CSU does not agree to any compromise on migration policy, Merkel’s government may fall apart.

France and Germany will be very flexible in their response to Italian demands, irrespective of the official rhetoric from Berlin and Paris.