I’m obsessive about a number of things, but one of those happens be the governance of Europe’s economic power-base: the Federal Republic of Germany. I feel most at ease in the company of German books; I love German music and German philosophy. They are the most industrious people on the continent, having invested in their manufacturing when other countries abandoned it. The fact is, the new epicentre of the contemporary Roman Empire is the German capital, Berlin. And whatever arrangement that exists in Ireland following Brexit negotiations will be forged in there, not in London.
One of the many reasons why Rome fell as an Empire, was due to the disagreement over rights being conferred onto non-Roman citizens. Ironically, a huge divide now exists in Germany over the issue of how many refugees Chancellor Merkel has afforded sanctuary to in her homeland. I admired her position, it takes a real leader to do things which aren’t always popular but which are morally right. However, she garnered the contempt of right-wingers in her own party, the Christian Democratic Union, and also from the Bavarian Prime Minister in her CSU sister party, Horst Seehofer.
Merkel’s coalition with the SPD has a massive majority in the Bundestag, and few doubt that it won’t be reelected. However, two questions have been arising regarding a potential successor and an alternative Chancellor. The first of course is whether the SPD could overtake Merkel’s centre-right party; I don’t think that likely, given German public distaste towards their more lenient policies against Greek debt. But I don’t think the current Chancellor will see through an entire fourth term. She is damaged goods, despite her obvious talents.
The current Federal Finance Minister, Dr. Wolfgang Schauble, is an impressive figure. Wounded in a terrorist attack, he now reigns over the European economy from a wheelchair, and in his 70’s too! But he isn’t in the best of health and seems to have lost interest in the top job, having been damaged by a prior funding scandal concerning an arms dealer. But a younger and more appealing individual is making her mark. The Federal Minister for Defence, Ursula Von Der Leyen, is a beautiful mother of seven children and a medical doctor by profession. In her 50’s and with the glamour of a Hollywood actress, she has ruffled feathers within her own male-dominated party over issues like maternity pay and female representation on corporate boards. Unlike most German households, her husband stays at home and looks after their children, in addition to their medical products enterprise. She is a member of the Protestant gentry class, without ever coming across that way.
When asked about her career plans, Von Der Leyen has repeatedly stated that there is no vacancy for the job of Chancellor. Regarded as more pro-European and left wing than Merkel, she has often articulated her vision for a Federal States of Europe along American lines – but one where debt obligations would be mutualised. Ursula is impressive; as the daughter of a former State Premier and a leftish feminist within a Conservative party, she is different and canny, being able to articulate well under pressure and home life. Quintessentially, she is not a Thatcherite and seems to believe in the right balance between public and private in the economy.
Like most German politicians, she is modest and does not reside in any grand dwellings in suburban Berlin; enjoying an en-suite room in her departmental building. As previously mentioned, she is a mother and has expressed concern about the lack of opportunities available to children across the European continent. Whether European politics interests you or not, she is definitely one to look out for, demonstrating to the world what a working mum, feminist and leader can do with the right motivation. It’s not a question of if she will become Chancellor and Europe’s de facto leader, it is an issue of timing – when. Given our precarious condition over Brexit, she will matter more to our lives in the years and negotiations ahead than 95% of British and Irish politicians.
Whatever happened to Irelands sovereignty being “indefeasible” and “unfettered”?
Meaningless terms in a post Bretton Woods world.
So Kevin.. Are you a Brexitter then?
And is UKIp going to leave behind the IMF. World Bank and WTO?
And how prey tell will they do that.
I know how/why South Korea and China tore through that glass ceiling.
I am bambooozled how Brexiteers are going to do it.
What have they got to offer?
The opportunity of being a US client State.
How can they offer twice??
@ Oz.
Yep, i was delighted to vote against the EU Superstate.
And for the record, I don’t give two fiddlers fucks what Britain does as it commits hari kiri.
It was perfectly obvious that a vote Out would result in a fight-to-the-death between the EU and the UK, a plague on both their houses.
A scrap that Sinn Fein voted to avoid.
17.4 million voted Out – for 17.4 million different reasons.
Assume nothing.
You say Scrap.
I say fudge.
More than likely Uk will become a Norway following the rules and paying into the club.
Without any input in shaping the rules.
Genius.
Oh, I can see why Norway chooses this path. It has a Sovereign Wealth fund of about 200 Billion.
It would be churhlish to argue with Norway.
As for the Uk.
UnfortunatelyIreland is the worst exposed Country.
Read some David McWilliams and his Cheddar cheese arguments. quite convincing I find him to be.
So I am no ardent European myself. In fact Britain does have some good points to make.
As for the Eu there is no alternative.. it’s just a different IMF/ World bank type thing.
If you want to break out of one. You must break them all.
A tricky manoeuvre that only South Korea and China has managed to pull off.
since WW2
But silly for them. They failed diplomatically. And It’s hard to respect stupidity.
They really ought to have have allies in Europe after being a member for 40+ years.
n’est Pas?
So no scrap..just fudge.
And still the World rotates around the Sun.
@ Oz.
When I use the word “scrap”, that’s an understatement of what is unfolding…
.a right ding-dong between two play ground bullies. And the battle hasn’t even begin yet.
I’ve my popcorn to hand, and hoping for the bloodiest battle possible….let the games begin….
@ Oz.
Now, returning to my basic point, are we to assume from Donals article that this collection of CDU right-wingers are the “gallant allies” that the Proclamation told us about.
Because, y’know, that’s a load of balls, isn’t it.
These people that Donal so admires are the same people that lumbered Irelands grandchildren with an odious debt of €67 billion, aren’t they?
They’re the ones that threatened “financial bombs under Dublin”, aren’t they?
But for some reason he doesn’t mention that detail at any stage.
i wonder why $inn £ein are now such big fans of the €U…..any ideas?
Well Kevin
Donal should answer those points himself.
The only thing from the article is that he was highlighting one particular person, who wanted to mutualise the debts.
On a slightly more positive note. The Irish debt/GDP ratio peaked at 123% it has fallen sharply down to 75 % and the govt are projecting a debt gdp ratio of 45% as it’s medium term goal.
A remarkable turn around.Ireland’s grandchildren are not that badly off.
As for the Eu.
it is up to those who oppose it to put forward a better plan.
South Korea broke all international IMF rules.
The reason why the USA allowed them to export is because North Korea.
USA prefered a rich South Korea as a bulwark against North Korea.
Nixon helped the Chinese in order forment a Sino Soviet split.
And now USA interests see China as a HUGE market of 1.2 Billion made up of 200/300 million middle class.
Can Ireland offer up a HUGE market? with 4.5 million souls.
Do you want 30,000 US troops garrisoned in Ireland???
in short you either offer a big market or a military garrison in a military violatile region to break with the IMF
Ireland has neither
So, what’s your alternative that doesn’t make Ireland a pariah nation???
Which is tariffed OUT of World markets?
Do Tell
I m all in favour of realistic alternatives.
The only possibility I see is mobilising the 40 Million Irish americans and take USA money like Israel does.
If you can set up an AIPAC – The American Israel Public Affairs Committee
type organistion. go ahead.
However the British have done a number on the Irish with partition ergo the Irish american lobby is factured beyond repair.
The Brits have knackered Ireland beyond ryhme or reason
@ Oz.
Unfortunately, Donal doesn’t ever answer any questions put to him.
He has a history of hysterically shrieking personalised abuse, and then scampering away.
But you’re a much more reasonable fellow altogether.
Kevin.
Nice of you to say.
I guess if I seem reasonable it’s because i haven’t felt my ideas under pressure.
We all get testy when our precious thoughts are under fire.
Also, I came across an article that mankind has killed off 40% of World Marine life in the last 40 years.
I am not an envoirmentalist but if the seas die.. will not Humankind die ?
I haven’t quite joined the dots but it seems likely outcome
So if we have another glorious 40 years of the same. We’re probably all dead anyway.
yippie.
So, it’s hard to get upset by party politics.
Humans are not very nice, really.
@ Oz.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the next 40 years.
With Donald Trump in the hot-seat, let’s just take it 40 days at a time….
@ Oz.
That debt to GDP ratio has reduced at a terrible cost to Irish society, the weapon of choice being Austerity.
It is thoroughly depressing to walk round Dublin to witness a Homelessness problem that is worse than in 1916.
The fact is that Ireland has been raped through privatisation and firesales to international vultures.
The EU hangs us out to dry, whilst voraciously demanding more, more, more.
What is required is fundamental and radical change. Exiting the EU as it currently stands is one small part of that change.
Can Ireland stand alone economically? Nope, not a chance.
Could Ireland in isolation defy the EU if it flexed it’s muscles on us? Nope, not a chance.
Is the EU reformable? Nope. It is well on it’s way to bring the Orwellian superstate we have warned against. One Flag, One Anthem, One Army.
If Brexit slows down that process even a smidgeon, then fair play to the Brits for having the balls to stand and fight.
This is the clash of two great Empires – one in terminal decline, one in an inexorable rise.
Us Lefties are against Empires.
That’s another reason to support leaving the EU.
Yes there was a cost to society for the bailouts.
But hoe could the state default and then continue to pay welfare to unemployed.
Ireland went through the mess and continued to provide the dole etc.
Also, you cannot solely blame the EU.
Irish created the asset bubble
There was no EU rule which stopped the central bank to force the retail banks to quit lending to borrowers at more than 4 x times their gross salary.
This is widely considered the rational credit limit.
No borrowers means no house bubble
If the Irish are too thick to figure that out..then stuff em I say.
There are no medals for stupidity. Nor should there be.
David Mcwilliams warned of this and he was laughed at
The irish Bus Rail, ESB electricity. and airports and sea ports are in Govt hands.
In England they have been sold decades ago.
The only sell offs to date have been Eircom and Aer Lingus. and Bord Gais.
.not sure about Irish water
so raped by privitastion is not really true.
What is true is Nama sales to vulture funds.
Well this is what happens during bakruptices.
General motors in the USA had the same thing.
Today Puerto Rico has declared bankruptcy. owing 70 Billion on a population of 3.5 million.
Lets compare those examples in 5, 10 years and 15
Assuming The Donald doesn’t nuke us all.
P.S
both UK and EU are in decline and the USA also.
We’re all getting older fatter and having fewer children.
only Africa has favourable demographics and the Muslim world.
but they haven’t got their act together yet.
China and Russia are facing similar demographics to Europe.
I think Europe accounts for 33% of the world’s welfare spend but only has about 20% of World GDP IIRC
So, this is as lefty as you will ever get.
@ Oz.
The privatisations that i was primarily referencing was the transfer of public assets to a voracious vulture class, both local and international – one block of Dublin apartments sold for 500k, and resold for €60 million is a case in point.
That seems to me a good example of financial rape.
You’re knitting to.mention that the people that paid the greatest price for the Bankers Crisis were the working classes. Pay and welfare cuts and freezes was their remedy whilst the number of millionaires has doubled since the collapse.
What does it profit a society to make its children destitute?
The top 300 in Ireland have doubled their wealth to €100 billion. This isn’t a crisis for all, it would seem.
In the meantime, multinationals hide their wealth and avoid tax in a capitalist free-for-all.
Ireland has plenty of wealth, it would seem.
It’s just that the wrong people have it.
It’s time to take it off them.
Ah.
They can do better than that.
They sold Battersea power station in London for 500 million.
It’s going to be worth 10 Billion.
with a B.
Pretty soon you’re going to be talking real money 🙂
When your bankrupt you have no choice.
it’s fire sale stuff.
Sure if we were members of Nato we could have the fantastic opportunity of buying F 35 jets.
We aren’t so this is how we get fleeced.
*omitting.