... What makes Germany's unwillingness to aim for the top jobs in these two organizations so surprising is that it could have them for the asking. "Germany could get any position it wanted here in NATO," the NATO diplomat said. A veteran E.U. diplomat agreed: "If Merkel was serious about naming someone, that person would get the top job. No question about it." No German has led the top European institution for 42 years, and the last time a German headed NATO was 15 years ago. Apart from heading the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Germany is also noticeably absent from the leadership of other major international organizations, including the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Energy Agency and the United Nations (where at least a German heads the Environment Program). <...> Perhaps Germany does not want these leadership roles, said Daniela Schwarzer, Europe expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. "Maybe the Germans see themselves as moderators, not as leaders." With 27 countries now in the E.U., it is becoming increasingly difficult even for the best moderators to reach decisions that have substance. In that case, the new E.U. posts might not be so attractive. "Whether the new posts will be influential depends on the governments' willingness to make them so," Ms. Schwarzer added. Other analysts are more critical of the German approach. "Germany has become very inward looking," said the E.U. diplomat, who attends all the bloc's major meetings and summit talks and sees the role Germans play. "If Merkel really cared about Europe, she would send better people and support stronger candidates," added the diplomat. ...
... What makes Germany's unwillingness to aim for the top jobs in these two organizations so surprising is that it could have them for the asking. "Germany could get any position it wanted here in NATO," the NATO diplomat said.
A veteran E.U. diplomat agreed: "If Merkel was serious about naming someone, that person would get the top job. No question about it." No German has led the top European institution for 42 years, and the last time a German headed NATO was 15 years ago.
Apart from heading the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Germany is also noticeably absent from the leadership of other major international organizations, including the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Energy Agency and the United Nations (where at least a German heads the Environment Program).
<...>
Perhaps Germany does not want these leadership roles, said Daniela Schwarzer, Europe expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. "Maybe the Germans see themselves as moderators, not as leaders." With 27 countries now in the E.U., it is becoming increasingly difficult even for the best moderators to reach decisions that have substance. In that case, the new E.U. posts might not be so attractive. "Whether the new posts will be influential depends on the governments' willingness to make them so," Ms. Schwarzer added.
Other analysts are more critical of the German approach. "Germany has become very inward looking," said the E.U. diplomat, who attends all the bloc's major meetings and summit talks and sees the role Germans play. "If Merkel really cared about Europe, she would send better people and support stronger candidates," added the diplomat. ...
... Under the Lisbon Treaty, which was completely ratified Nov. 3, each of the member states will continue to have a seat at the European Commission. But because the new foreign policy chief will also be a vice president of the European Commission, he will also be his nation's sole appointee there. France has so far not put forward potential contenders from the center-left for the foreign policy job. Germany has already nominated as its European commissioner Günther Oettinger, who is from the center-right and has no substantial foreign policy experience. One possible compromise would have involved the British foreign secretary, David Miliband, being selected as the foreign policy chief, complementing the choice of Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy of Belgium, a member of a center-right party, as president. But Mr. Miliband appeared to rule himself out and, according to diplomats, one reason that Britain was reluctant to propose him for the post was a concern that his selection would then clear the way for France and Germany to get key economic positions in the European Commission. Of particular concern to the British is the prospect of France winning the internal market portfolio, according to a European Union diplomat. This is viewed as a vital job, because it oversees efforts to maintain a level playing field in the bloc's internal market and because it also includes financial regulation, an area certain to be more important in the aftermath of the financial crisis. However, some diplomats believe that, if Britain wins some safeguards on economic policy, it might be prepared to put forward as foreign policy chief its former European commissioner, Peter Mandelson, or even prevail on Mr. Miliband to change his mind.
... Under the Lisbon Treaty, which was completely ratified Nov. 3, each of the member states will continue to have a seat at the European Commission. But because the new foreign policy chief will also be a vice president of the European Commission, he will also be his nation's sole appointee there. France has so far not put forward potential contenders from the center-left for the foreign policy job. Germany has already nominated as its European commissioner Günther Oettinger, who is from the center-right and has no substantial foreign policy experience.
One possible compromise would have involved the British foreign secretary, David Miliband, being selected as the foreign policy chief, complementing the choice of Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy of Belgium, a member of a center-right party, as president. But Mr. Miliband appeared to rule himself out and, according to diplomats, one reason that Britain was reluctant to propose him for the post was a concern that his selection would then clear the way for France and Germany to get key economic positions in the European Commission.
Of particular concern to the British is the prospect of France winning the internal market portfolio, according to a European Union diplomat.
This is viewed as a vital job, because it oversees efforts to maintain a level playing field in the bloc's internal market and because it also includes financial regulation, an area certain to be more important in the aftermath of the financial crisis. However, some diplomats believe that, if Britain wins some safeguards on economic policy, it might be prepared to put forward as foreign policy chief its former European commissioner, Peter Mandelson, or even prevail on Mr. Miliband to change his mind.
