Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back

The analysis examines the shift in Germany's relationship with the Visegrad Group from one of normative leadership to pragmatic economic cooperation. While economic ties remain strong, political rifts over democracy, the rule of law, and migration have eroded Berlin's influence. The author argues that Germany's avoidance of these contentious issues to protect geoeconomic interests hampers the EU's collective sovereignty and effectiveness, particularly as Germany prepares for its 2020 EU presidency.

• Germany has transitioned from a normative leader and model for European integration to a mediator that lacks political leverage over Central European capitals, particularly regarding democratic values.
• Relations between Germany and the Visegrad countries reached a historic low following the 2015 refugee crisis and the rise of illiberal governments in Hungary and Poland, leading to ongoing Article 7 procedures regarding the state of democracy.
• Deep economic interdependence, characterized by a 'Central European manufacturing core' and significant German foreign direct investment (FDI), continues to drive bilateral relations even when political ties are strained.
• Germany's current regional strategy prioritizes geoeconomic interests and the mitigation of external influences, such as China, over the enforcement of EU normative standards.
• As Germany assumes the rotating EU presidency in July 2020, it faces inevitable conflicts with Visegrad countries over the European Green Deal, the EU budget, and the potential introduction of rule of law criteria for funding.
• Poland's objection to the 2050 climate neutrality target is identified as a primary challenge for the EU's overall climate goals during the German presidency.

APA

Végh, Z. (2020). Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/germanys-central-european-strategy-bites-back/

Chicago

Végh, Zsuzsanna. Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back. Green European Journal, 2020. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/germanys-central-european-strategy-bites-back/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Végh |first1=Zsuzsanna |title=Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back |publisher=Green European Journal |date=11 January 2020 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/germanys-central-european-strategy-bites-back/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vgh2020germanys, author = {Végh, Zsuzsanna}, title = {{Germany’s Central European Strategy Bites Back}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2020}, month = jan, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/germanys-central-european-strategy-bites-back/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }