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

1. Clarity
2. Legitimacy
3. Efficiency

Schroder called for dual chairmanship of the EU with a legitimised commission president to make it more powerful + a permanent president of the Council.

Similarly Merkel is determined to get a stronger EU president and a foreign minister for the EU which will be the face of the union internationally, increasing legitimacy and efficiency.
Despite France and the Netherlands voting ‘no' in direct elections Merkel is still trying to "sell it". Merkel has accepted that she might never get the constitution and so has put a vote on the Lisbon treaty in May 2008, the treaty sees to try and carry out the reforms that were in the rejected constitution, her determination to the constitution however has not been affected.

Once the institutions of the EU become more legitimate then more power can be given to them, bringing the nations of Europe closer and enhancing their role.
Both Schroder and Merkel have tried to increase the range of issues that QMV (qualified majority voting). This will make it easier to pass legislations on a European level making the institution more efficient, virtually scrapping the "national veto", often used as a bargaining tool by individual nation.

Schroder and Merkel have also been adamant about the success of the Euro. The Euro was brought in under the Maastricht treaty, and it shows a first major step towards serious integration and cooperation for the greater good. Schroder had to defend it on several occasions in times of rising unemployment and when it hit a record low against the dollar. Schroder claimed its significance would increase with the expansion of the EU, and so they were at the front line of future prosperity and success. Merkel believes that it simply makes them stronger and to play a more global role with no barriers to trade.

As a conclusion both of the Chancellors' foreign office under their control has pressed for

• An European Constitution - both before and after the French and Dutch refusal in national referendums
• Significantly increase the EU common policy significance, Schroder mainly through defence and Merkel predominantly through a EU foreign minister.
• More competition and has promised to stand up to nations who do no "play their part"
• A greater expansion of the Euro to nation states

The main different between Schroder and Merkel is not apparent on foresight. The only different that can be noted is that Schroder is right wing and from a socialist party, Merkel is right wing and from a centre-right party.