Germany

As I see it, the peoples of the countries that make up the EU are diametrically different, with different languages, different ideas and certainly, as the migrant crisis has proved, very different attitudes. One size simply doesn't fit all, it never could and never will. Let's face it, one country will always inevitably have sway over the others, and that country is Germany. Smaller, poorer countries just have to tow the line, which in turn leads to resentment. As a nation, history has proved that the UK isn't very good at 'towing the line', so perhaps not only are we better away from Europe and it's union, perhaps the union is better away from us!

So nothing at all to do with the fact that Germany has an ageing population and needs young people?!

I have voted today and even if FR Merkel is not damaged then her time is surely coming to an end but she has being backed up by some powerful women and one will eventually take her place.
obieone if you rejoice finally to have a thread to say what you thnk about Germany all I can say is try coming here and seeing what its like. Its a lovely country to live in. Its 2016! Its different place to 1939.

The 'old' East Germany still has its disapppointed men and women who are now moving right and against the refugees etc. A lot of them are German-Russian and are fed on Putins propaganda. he would love the EU to break up or to see Germany go under. but its not going to happan.

I live here and never heard Fr Merkel give an open invitation to all who want to come, it was in a private interview, because she has a warm heart and can't bear that these people should be homeless when Germany can afford to care for them. I suppose she also feels near to tears when she sees pictures in the evening news of those families camping out in the cold with their children. But the borders are now closed. Fr Merkel was not able to prevent it. Its a human tragedy and definitely not her fault.

She would have my vote. She is one of the world's most influential women and has managed to foster relationships with Obama, Cameron and Putin. I'm not sure how she might fare with Trump though!?

Her views were shaped by her background and ideology, and as POGS says, many Germans no doubt empathise with her and view her as their best bet in terms of the economy of the country and the Eurozone as a whole.

The big problem is the troubling major issue at home.

I've got old friends in Germany, and know how they feel about what is going on at present. Angela has been popular, but now......
Interesting to see the results of these elections.

It will be interesting to see how ' Mutti ' fares.

She will probably do OK as she is so entrenched as the De Facto Leader of the European Union the German people know their bread is perhaps better buttered to keep her in that position .

Will they, can they, vote for her on all things German related or will they vote as a country so focused on the desire for a Federal State of Europe they will want to keep her as the Leader of Europe.

She is a very powerful woman !

Poor my foot. She brought things on herself.

I have been hesitating to write about how other countries are going to see Germany in the future as they practcally run the EU, but now the thread is started about Germany, I dont see a reason to hold back.

Poor old Angela!