What makes the EU stronger…

And what might kill it? Will the European Union crumble under the pressure of trials and tribulations, started by the financial crisis, culminating in the influx of refugees and migrants, and possibly continuing with Britain’s exit from the EU…? Now the crisis phenomena come complete with the attitudes of the Central European states, which seem loath to express solidarity with their neighbours, when it comes to accepting refugees.

Crises have cropped up like packed ice pressing against bridge pillars during the spring thaw. How strong are these pillars? The European bridges have never been so close to the verge of breaking. By saying bridges, I mean a Union without internal borders. Is there any hope at all?

I believe much will depend on the action of German political leaders and statesmen, but chiefly on the reactions of German voters, and of course also on whether Europeans are prepared to accept Germany’s leadership. Take it or leave it, Germany stands out as the leader of Europe. An orderly state, this country, currently led by Christian Democrat/Christian Social politicians, prides itself on the bloc’s strongest economy, a democracy that works, advanced state of rule of law, and a restrained foreign policy. Germany has better come to terms with its past than other countries have. Joachim Gauck is an enviable leader at its head. Despite all mistakes and resulting confusions, Germany has to date absorbed more than a million refugees – a hardly conceivable achievement in these latitudes. How much more is that? How much is a zero multiplied by one million?

Face to face with hundreds of thousands of migrants already finding themselves there or being on their way or packing their bags in the refugee camps, Chancellor Angela Merkel could have minced her words (perhaps she’d take many of them back), but her chief message stands clearly delivered: We will make it. It was a promise worthy of Churchill! She could have cried foul and wrung her hands, but nobody else would have prevented panic that would have swept Europe. Every EU member state would then have tried to save its hide and the Union would have been in tatters. But the risk is much higher following Brexit: the EU is bursting at its seams, and so are its members, although it is not that obvious at present. The room is filled by the silent (for now) dissatisfied murmur of those who cannot reach the bonuses of globalization. Who will listen first, to address them later? Europe needs a socially sensitive leadership.

But Germany has not only a restrained foreign policy, but also inhibitions that shy away from assuming leadership in Europe. Many Germans harbour fears of themselves. They failed fatally, in the past. They know that many Europeans fear them back. There are many such people in this country and small wonder it is so. Anyway, “’leader” translates as “fuehrer” into German. While it is good to have inhibitions, we all would pay dearly if they prevailed.

I don’t believe that Europe will find, one fine day and in accordance with the EU rules, a determined, wise and charismatic statesman who would make a fine “president” of the Union. Nor will they ever find a trustworthy “minister of foreign affairs”. The choice will be always limited to politicos arising from the tow-of-war between the political groups in the European Parliament. Who knows and respects today the sly world finance overlord Juncker of Luxembourg, or the mundane, inexperienced, youngish (1973) and remarkably left-oriented Ms Mogherini of Italy? What thoughts have they impressed on our minds, which of their words have wings and fly across the Continent? How have they ever addressed and heartened us? I don’t believe direct vote could produce a born leader. We speak different languages. The leader of Europe cannot be elected: he can only be gradually respected until he finds general recognition.

Willy-nilly, what Angela Merkel said and how she acted at the start of the latest crisis makes her fit to assume the role. Meanwhile Germans, despite protesting Bavarians and the rise of anti-European movements, are coping well with the flow of refugees.

In my opinion, the European-respected role of Merkel-led Germany (her dad was a Protestant pastor and she has experience with living in a “people’s democracy”) gives the biggest hope that the Union and its internal Schengen provisions will survive and overcome the crisis. We ought to adjust our European politics to this hope and recognize Mrs Merkel’s role, overtly or covertly.

European policy is not a foreign policy! I wonder when we come to realize it: the EU is not “them”, it’s been “us” for twelve years now, and we recognized that much in a referendum.  When we overcome those crises, and we can do it only if we stand together, we will be stronger for that. Otherwise it will kill us. States will dig trenches and build barbed wire fences. Ultimately, there’ll be shooting on the borders.

It would be a wholly different Europe. Do we want to live in it?