Fears of German hegemony reign

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, MAY 2. Germany's proposal for a more unified Europe after radical changes in the European Union's Constitution to create a stronger European parliament has triggered a major debate in E.U. capitals with fears about the prospects of German hegemony in pan-European affairs.

The German plan has received hostile reaction from euro-sceptic lobbies in Britain, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. The French are embarrassed that the Germans have not bothered to consult them before making the proposals public. The German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder's proposals for closer integration of the 15- E.U. member-States are mired in controversy.

The ``Schroeder plan'' will be presented at the E.U. constitutional convention in 2004, laying the foundation for the proposed structure of the ``United States of Europe''. The idea of a union haunted not only Napoleon Bonaparte after the French Revolution in the 18th century but inspired progressive and radical pan-European politicians in the post-War years. Cynics say that the Schroeder plan may carve a greater role for German leadership in the future. The concept of a ``United States of Europe'' will obviously dilute the authority of national governments and parliaments of member-States of the European Union. The Social Democratic party's national executive committee will review the Schroeder plan on May 7 and present it to the party's annual convention in November. According to a party spokesperson, ``The plan has not yet been discussed by the party's committee and hence it is not yet public material.''

Germany has been in the forefront of the movement for expanding the E.U. States aspiring to join the E.U. are former communist ruled countries and members of the now defunct Soviet Union. Germany, by lending credits and economic cooperation, has

helped the former communist ruled countries to adopt to a free- market economy and multi-party democracy. The introduction of euro currency notes in January 2002 will pave the way for further European economic integration. The Schroeder plan now ranks as the most ambitious and dynamic pan-European proposals after the 1999 adoption of euro - the European single currency.

Germany is still considered the locomotive economic powerhouse of the E.U. and its traditional role as the most generous net contributor to the E.U. budget has prompted its leadership to seek further consolidation of the E.U. With a population of over 80 million, Germany is also the E.U.'s most populous and economically most powerful nation. The German coalition Government comprising the Social Democrats and the Greens will seek a fresh mandate in the parliamentary elections in 2002 and the country's role in the Europe of 21st century will be a key issue, apart from tax, administrative and welfare reforms.

In recent weeks, the German Chancellor has gained much popularity and his lacklustre image of yesterday is fast fading. Many find it difficult to distinguish between German self- interest and pan-European idealism. Slowly but surely, German investment and commitment in Russia's economic regeneration is growing at an impressive pace and critics argue that the German leadership is seeking to assert its leadership with further European integration. Many Germans feel strongly that the process of European integration and expansion of the E.U. are both inevitable and irreversible. The changes which Mr. Schroeder seeks have been described as grand but many Europeans wonder if the timing will have the desired impact.

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Section  : International
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