A review of ongoing European Union initiatives has revealed internal disagreements within the German government, hindering its ability to effectively represent its interests in Brussels. A document compiled by the Chancellery and shared with ministry officials for “EU-Monitoring” as reported by “Handelsblatt”, details areas of conflict impacting Germany’s voice in the bloc.
The document identifies five key EU proposals as requiring “high action potential” where Germany currently lacks influence due to inter-ministerial disagreements. These include the Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive, the Internship Directive, the Return Regulation, climate targets for 2040 and the regulatory framework surrounding new genomic techniques (NGT).
A further six initiatives are flagged as experiencing “medium action potential” indicating a slowdown or stalling in Germany’s approach. These encompass the European Defence Omnibus Act, the Nitrates Directive, the Chemicals Omnibus Act, a regulation to combat child abuse, the Deforestation Regulation and a strategic plan for stockpiling essential resources.
Concerns have been raised by various stakeholders regarding Germany’s internal divisions and their potential impact on its standing within the EU. Franziska Brantner, co-leader of the Green Party, expressed criticism, stating that the ongoing disagreements risk undermining trust in Berlin’s engagement with Brussels.
The situation is also being assessed internally within the governing coalition. Tilman Kuban, the European policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, acknowledged the need for adjustments, particularly related to competitiveness and defense capabilities, suggesting that compromises may be necessary to move forward.