Germany is the largest country in the EU and was one of the six founding members of the European Community in 1957. Situated in central Europe, it has land borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. To the north it is bordered by the North and Baltic Seas. It has a population of 82 million people and the national language is German. Germany has a significant minority Turkish population, who came to the country as guest workers after World War II. Having experienced enormous political upheaval during the twentieth century, the modern German political system places a strong emphasis upon stability and consensus.
Recent History
After World War II, Germany was divided into two nations: the Federal Republic of West Germany (West Germany) and the communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany). After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 these two states were reunified and the Federal Republic of Germany was created in 1990. After 18 years of centre-right government under Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a Social Democratic Party (SPD)-Green coalition was elected in 1998 led by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Having won re-election in 2002, Chancellor Schröder continued to govern until 2005 when the SPD lost seats at an early election. A new Grand Coalition was subsequently formed between politicians from Germany's two main parties, the SPD and Christian Democratic Union (CDU), under the leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
Domestic politics in Germany is currently very sensitive as the Grand Coalition tries to deal with problems of high unemployment, an aging population and an expensive welfare system. It is therefore facing debates about how to reform its social model similar to those of many EU member states.
The German Government
Germany is a federal republic. The head of government is the Chancellor who presides over a cabinet made up of members of the governing coalition parties. The German Parliament, based in Berlin, has two chambers - the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Currently the CDU has a small majority in both chambers. The Federal Republic is made up of sixteen Federal States (Bundesländer) each of which has its own state legislature (Landesrat). Germany's Head of State is President Horst Köhler (CDU) who has largely ceremonial duties. The highest court in Germany, the Bundesverfassungsgericht, plays an important role in interpreting the German constitution, known as the Basic Law. It is based in the south-west German town of Karlsruhe.
Germany and the EU
As a founding member of the EU, the German government has frequently been at the forefront of the process of European integration. Germany has signed up to all major integration policies - including the Schengen Convention and Economic and Monetary Union. However, several leading politicians in Germany have expressed concern about further enlargement of the EU, in particular Turkish membership.
Many historians have seen the history of the EU as closely linked to the rehabilitation of Germany after World War II - often referred to as the solution of the German Question. This argument suggests the principle reason why many European politicians initially pursued the goal of a united Europe was to tie Germany into international relationships, in order to prevent a repeat of the aggression and mistrust that had led to conflicts between Germany and France in the previous century. While this is clearly not the only reason for pursuing European integration, the resulting 'Franco-German axis' has played a significant part in the development of the EU.
As the largest member state, Germany is very influential in the EU. It has twenty-nine votes in the Council of the European Union (the same number as the UK, France and Italy) and elects 98 MEPs. During its six-month presidency of the EU in early 2007, Germany successfully revived the EU's EU Constitution project, by formally drafting the Lisbon Treaty, which is due to come into force in 2009.
Facts and Figures
- The currency of Germany is the Euro.
- Germans have a life expectancy of 76 years for men and 81 years for women.
- Germany's main exports are motor vehicles, electrical machinery and metals.
Quotes
"Germany stands at a crossroads where it is about whether we will preserve what makes this country strong - a social market economy - in times of globalisation." - Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, 2005
Technical Terms
Consensus: general political agreement around a majority opinion.
