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Germany in Limbo

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Chancellor Angela Merkel’s hopes of forming a new coalition government have been dashed by the withdrawal of the Free Democrats from talks, forcing her to resurrect the grand coalition with the Social Democrats, form a minority government, or face another general election. Project Syndicate writers reflect on the challenges Germany faces and the implications for Europe of Merkel’s weakened position.

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  1. Europe’s Crisis Starts at Home
    A man waves a European Union flag Daniel Mihalescu/Getty Images

    Europe’s Crisis Starts at Home

    Dec 4, 2017 Mark Leonard thinks the divisions that threaten EU integration are even wider within member states than between them.

  2. The Populist Tail Wagging the German Dog
    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    The Populist Tail Wagging the German Dog

    Nov 30, 2017 Sławomir Sierakowski attributes Germany's intransigence on EU reform to its economic interests in the Visegrad Group.

  3. A New Grand Coalition for Germany – and Europe
    Germany Parliament Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

    A New Grand Coalition for Germany – and Europe

    Nov 28, 2017 Jeffrey D. Sachs thinks the stakes are too high – in Europe and globally – not to reprise the previous CDU/CSU-SPD government.

  4. The Twilight of Angela Merkel
    Angela Merkel after exploratory talks on forming a new government broke down Tobias Schwarz/Getty Images

    The Twilight of Angela Merkel

    Nov 21, 2017 Philippe Legrain is worried less by the prospect of the German chancellor's political demise than about a prolonged interregnum.

  5. Germany’s Götterdämmerung
    Angela Merkel departs after preliminary coalition talks collapsed Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    Germany’s Götterdämmerung

    Nov 21, 2017 Hans-Werner Sinn welcomes the prospect of a minority government, especially if genuine public debate returns to the Bundestag.

  6. The Danger of a Post-German Europe
    Merkel worried Steffi Loos/getty images

    The Danger of a Post-German Europe

    Nov 20, 2017 Ana Palacio implores EU countries to work actively to re-engage the bloc's reluctant leader.

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