Presidency Takeover

Anita Tršić, Croatian Ambassador to Portugal, penned an op-ed looking back at the Croatian presidency for Diário de Notícías. The Ambassador notes that the pandemic and the earthquake that hit Zagreb during the lockdown presented two massive challenges. However, the Presidency was able to achieve a lot in 6 months and can be proud of having successfully coordinated Member States' responses to the pandemic. She also highlights Croatia's role in strengthening the EU's continued commitment to enlargement, Europe’s digital future as well as the Conference on the Future of Europe, with the Council concluding its position in June, after four months of talks. She points out how the German presidency will be decisive for the Conference, as the Council now needs to come to an agreement with the European Parliament and the Commission for the Conference to be launched.

Večer reports that, although this is the second time under German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Germany will hold the EU presidency, the expectations are high and the challenges plentiful. The EU is still recovering from the pandemic and must agree on its next long-term budget as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the future relationship between the EU and the UK is still up in the air. With the Presidency's motto being “Together for Europe's recovery", German Ambassador to the EU Michael Clauss states that a measure of success for the presidency will be an agreement on the post-pandemic recovery package, based on the Franco-German proposal which must unite the 'frugal' and the Southern Member States. While Germany decided against holding a ceremony for the start of the presidency, the presidency hopes to have a summit on EU-China relations towards the end of the year.

Ahead of the start of the German presidency, Le Monde is one of six leading European newspapers to publish an interview with Angela Merkel, who explains her plans for Europe. When asked whether she was at all nervous about the upcoming presidency, she reminds how this won't be her first challenging German presidency as Chancellor. Back in 2007, not long after France and the Netherlands had rejected the European constitutional treaty plans, Germany held the EU presidency while leaders negotiated a new treaty which was then signed off in Lisbon during the Portuguese presidency. Merkel points out how the EU needs to learn from its crises, including the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the struggle to manage higher numbers of migrants and refugees. Instead of worrying about existential questions, she believes in getting the job done and to focus on strengthening the EU's unity and internal market. She also believes the EU is well-equipped to deal with the pandemic, and as long as Member States show solidarity.

Süddeutsche Zeitung publishes an interview with European Parliament President David Sassoli, on his expectations for the German presidency. When asked for his thoughts on the presidency's priorities and Angela Merkel's role in Europe, he says he is impressed by her approach of wanting all Europeans to benefit from the German leadership and believes she is someone who can leave citizens feeling optimistic about the future. He thinks Merkel's political agenda, which includes migration, climate protection and enlargement, reflects citizens' priorities. Sassoli also trusts that regardless of what some media and politicians might say, Germany still has a good reputation among Italians. He also advises journalists to be wary of surveys that claim that citizens are against the European project. Speaking for his country, he believes citizens want more Europe right now, not less.