What Germany’s grand coalition means for European defence and security

Following months of coalition negotiations, a new German government finally took office in March 2018.

But what did the new government mean for the EU? Alessandra Pozzi Rocco wrote that with her next term in power now secured, Chancellor Angela Merkel had the chance to craft EU history further, notably by forging ahead on common defence and security.

• Primary Source

LSE European Institute: EuroppBlog, 21.08.17: German defence policy: An election primer ahead of the 2017 federal elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-defence-policy-an-election-primer-ahead-of-the-2017-federal-elections/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 16.02.18: Waiting in Munich for European Defense http://www.europeansources.info/record/waiting-in-munich-for-european-defense/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 29.03.18: Franco-German Differences Over Defense Make Europe Vulnerable http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/75937?lang=en

French Institute of International Relations: IFRI Policy Papers Notes du Cefra, No.141 [December 2017]: France, Germany, and the Quest for European Strategic Autonomy: Franco-German Defence Cooperation in A New Era http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-germany-and-the-quest-for-european-strategic-autonomy-franco-german-defence-cooperation-in-a-new-era/

France24, 18.02.18: Germany’s defence minister says EU defence pact will complement NATO http://www.france24.com/en/20180217-exclusive-germany-defence-minister-von-der-leyen-eu-defence-security-complement-nato

German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF): Policy Brief, January 2018: EU Military Cooperation and National Defense http://www.gmfus.org/publications/eu-military-cooperation-and-national-defense

Germany Foreign Policy.com, 02.05.18: Military Axis Berlin-Paris https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/news/detail/7597/

Berlin Policy Journal, 29.08.18: Stuck in a Holding Pattern https://berlinpolicyjournal.com/stuck-in-a-holding-pattern/

Stratfor: Partner Perspectives, 17.08.18: Germany Discusses Security and Defense Policy -- Silly Season or Real Change? https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/germany-discusses-security-and-defense-policy-silly-season-or-real-change

ECFR: Commentary, 21.09.18: Germany’s defence policy: still living in dreamland https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_germanys_defence_policy_still_living_in_dreamland

EurActiv, 27.08.18: Germany ready to ‘take more responsibility’ in European defence policy, says Merkel https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/germany-ready-to-take-more-responsibility-in-european-defence-policy-says-merkel/

CER: Opinion, 19.02.18: What defence policy for the next German government? https://www.cer.eu/in-the-press/what-defence-policy-next-german-government

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