MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | Germany prevents the monetary expansion in the country (and within the rest of the euro zone) by controlling the ECB. If the central bank had the minimal amount of money necessary for the area, all of it would go to Germans, who would spend more, thus accelerating the recovery of their European partners.
BERLIN | By von Dietmar Neuerer at Handelsblatt via Presseurop | Following an intiative by the German government, European environment ministers opted on October 14 to postpone sine die, a vote on stricter rules for CO2 emissions from passenger cars, which mainly targeted large German saloon cars, explains Handelsblatt.
BERLIN | By Cicero via Presseurop | “I’m sorry. They are still talking about it. Maybe HE will bring you a new government.”
MADRID | By Fernando G. Urbaneja | Chancellor Angela Merkel has skilfully governed both Germany and Europe with ambiguity between her pragmatic proposals at home, and her tough declarations outside. Her victory opens a new stage for the German government and for Europe. She has become stronger, although she still needs to seduce.
FRANKFURT | By Lidia Conde | We saw it coming: today nobody could beat Merkel. No other candidate had won all the opinion polls. The victory of the CDU/CSU with a 42% of votes (according to polls on Sunday), is mainly due to the Chancellor’s charisma. In these times of economic uncertainty, Germans have shown that they do not want experiments nor surprises. She has won the elections saying that Germany is doing well and this Government is the best. No matter whether this is truth or not- the message has passed.
MUNICH | By Stefan Kornelius at Süddeutsche Zeitung via Presseurop | The German elections are triggering a fascinating and unprecedented level of anticipation abroad. For Germany’s parties and voters, their country’s role and influence in Europe is so apparent that the issue is not a key battleground in the campaign.
MADRID | By Francisco López | Mark your calendars. For the first time in quite some time two major events for the future of markets and EU’s banking union are taking place in less than a month: the Fed’s meeting next Wednesday and the German elections on September 22. Is the tapering starting and by how much? Will Angela Merkel have to find a new political partner?
MADRID / FRANKFURT | By Tania Suárez and Lidia Conde | Practically all eyes are on the German elections of September 22 since apparently the future of all Europe lies on those results. However, German political parties have dodged the issue of the economic crisis in order to sell an image of an almighty Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel represents the perfect German: an ordinary, accessible, hardworking woman concerned about her country. The perfect candidate for Germany… or not.
PARIS | By Thibaut Madelin at Les Echos via Presseurop | Among the – rare – unknowns of the September 22 elections is the eventual tally for the Alternative für Deutschland. The Eurosceptic party targets older and more conservative voters, one of the traditional bases of the electorate of the outgoing Chancellor.