Oooh, that Angela Merkel - she's such a tease!

She keeps saying 'no' but then she says 'yes'.  She's like one of those girls who, when you place your hand on their knee say 'no' but after some endearments say 'yes';  then, as you slide you hand higher they say 'no' again, but after a gentle squeeze - 'yes'; and after all that you just know you're on a winner - unless her grumpy old dad walks in, of course!

Picture courtesy of  Spiegel

Needless to say, I'm talking politics here, not Mrs Merkel's sex-life which, I am sure, is entirely proper.  However, as Stefan Kaiser points out in Spiegel Online:

Start off by saying no. That, in a nutshell, seems to be the German government's policy when it comes to fighting the euro crisis -- one it has followed since the spring of 2010. Whether it was aid to Greece or to the expansion of the euro rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), Chancellor Angela Merkel always started out by taking a position contrary to economic and political necessity, only to end up caving in later. The approach has not been pretty to watch, and it also tended to exacerbate the crisis.

But now, just after she said 'yes' to strenghtening the powers of the EFSF, after having previously said 'no', the heavy boots of 'Dad' can be heard approaching in the form of the Bundestag, the German parliament, or to be precise, a coterie of her own party whipped into action by an electorate which is becoming alarmed at where the 'Kaiserin' is leading them.  They are threatening to vote the bill down and her majority is slim, so September 29th should be a red-letter day in your diaries.

Again, as the article in Spiegel points out, the 'Kaiserin' is trying to act all coy and virginal by insisting the EFSF will not be permitted to assist troubled European banks directly, but only via their own governments, thus placing a fig leaf in exactly the right place to save blushes all round.  This cumberome arrangement is unlikely to last.  The European summit in July gave the EFSF enormous powers to act as it sees fit so German politicians will have to face their electorate and explain why 'foreigners' are ransacking the German Treasury without so much as a 'guten Tag' or a 'danke'!  Apparently, the Bavarians - splendid sausage-eating, beer-swilling types like us Brits - are in a fearful strop about the whole thing.  As Charles Hawley explains, also in Spiegel, the 'Kaiserin's government is a coalition and the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) is a sister party to her own Christian Democratic Union (CDU).  If they jib at the post all is lost.  In fact, the Bavarian CSU is pushing for a legal arrangement whereby any European, er, 'colleague nation' which overspends will be invited to leave the euro common currency - and the Bavarians, apparently, will happily hold open the door!

In addition to pressure from Bavaria, she also faces torment from within her own party where a considerable number of her own CDU Bundestag members are threatening to rebel.  Apparently, with her existing majority she can only afford 19 rebels.  Of course, I lack expertise in this arcane area but my guess is that like our own, so-called, 'Euro-sceptics' they will huff and puff but finally fall into line.  The vote is on September 29th but even if it passes, huge problems will remain, as Hawley explains:

Even should the bill ultimately pass -- the parliamentary vote is currently scheduled for Sept. 29 -- the ongoing debt crisis in the euro zone isn't likely to disappear any time soon. And neither is the skepticism. Further measures that may become necessary to prop up the common currency, it seems safe to assume, will further erode Merkel's power base.

'There will be blood' - er, metaphorical, of course - I hope!

 

 

Comments

[JK]

"The European summit gave the EFSF powers to act as it sees fit so German politicians will have to face their electorate and explain why 'foreigners' are ransacking the Treasury without a 'guten Tag' or a 'danke'! Apparently, the Bavarians - splendid sausage-eating, beer-swilling types like us Brits - are in a fearful strop about the whole thing. ...If they jib at the post all is lost."

Easy enough to rectify High Lord Duff - and JK bears no blame, er, well except maybe for sending that photo - send a photographer bearing a corn-dog to Angela. If she's as capable as Michelle - all should be set aright.

(Just keep any photo of Angela with a corn-dog safely away from Guido!)

[Andra]

I absolutely refuse to even consider Frau Merkel's sexlife but I would to know just when you think too much decolletage is enough, especially for a little Cherman hausfrau?

And before I've even had my first cup of Earl Grey. You should be ashamed!

[Andra]

And I blame you, JK.

Don't encourage him.

[David Duff]

Well, to tell the truth, Andra, I was rather startled by that photo. I never realised the normally somewhat frumpy lady was quite so well-endowed. Mind you, you ladies are dead crafty with these clever new bra designs that seem to make much of little!

[JK]

Don't allow David to hornswaggle you Andra. It's pretty obvious to me the Editor-in-Chief sent the D&N photographer to the gala equipped with a ladder.

[Lawrence Duff]

If the Bundestag votes down the legislation and thwarts the Franco-German political class's 1500 year old ambition to achieve a European empire, it will be the first time in a millennium and a half that the German people have had a constitution and "Kultur" able to achieve it themselves i.e. without external military force being required.

The financial apocalypse that will sooner or later follow such a refusal by the Bundestag to fiscally and governmentally integrate with the PIGS will be no price to pay for ending the Euro-empire project's 1500 years of destructive repeat performances.

What odds?

No, I know, dream on. But if they do, it will be a different Europe thereafter. Trusting Germany ceases to be an impossibility. Euro-empire: 500(-ish) to 2011, RIP? The wailing and gnashing of Carolingian class teeth will be a delight. We might even let the Jerries have their Panzer Divisions, Fallschirmjager Corps and Luftwaffe back - and off the leash too. Knowing they'd be on the borders of Europe heading outwards, rather than imposing fiscal and governmental union on the inside, turns fear into security. Would have been mighty handy in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.. And if that nasty Mr Putin bares his waxed and muscly chest at us, well, what about Moscow? Maybe third time lucky, eh? ...

Red-letter day indeed.

SoD

[David Duff]

Ever hopeful, SoD, that's what I like about you!