The Harzer Brocken of High Diplomacy: Navigating Tomorrow's EU Summit in a Turbulent World
High-stakes diplomacy conference unfolds amidst the scenic Harz Mountains, hosting crucial EU discussions - Leading Figures in the European Union Discuss Crucial Matters
Written by Yannik SchüllerApprox. Reading Time: 5 Minutes
Greetings, dear reader!
If you've been feeling dizzy lately, the reason could be altitude sickness. And you're excusable, given the mountain of high-level meetings trickling down upon us.
Brace yourself, because today, the 27 heads of state and government of the European Union are meeting in Brussels.
While the air in Belgium hardly compares to its thinness in the Netherlands or last week's chill in Canada, the sudden change in altitude might still affect our fearless chancellor. Why? If the G7 was Mount Everest and NATO was K2, then tomorrow’s EU summit is the furious Harzer Brocken of high diplomacy.
In the agenda once again are topics like Ukraine, Israel, rearmament, and the common line. With the knot-tying Viktor Orban making an appearance, the decision-making process might be as treacherous as the Brocken's slippery terrain.*
However, as the EU has never been more clear about its loss of significance than it is today, one could wonder if such summits still offer a stage for greatness.
With the perhaps last Trump-free zone providing little room for pomp, the EU could yet be the island of the blessed. But its chosen designers seem utterly lacking in ideas. Instead, they're awaiting the arrival of their savior: a strong man to single-handedly pull Europe back into the spotlight through sheer force of personality.
But alas, this strong man will not come – and that's a good thing. For Europe, there's too much Trump in an anti-Trump.
Before powerful figures like Putin, Xi, or Trump fasten their gaze upon the European Union once more, the Europeans must first do so themselves. But as long as Brussels remains an ugly bureaucratic beast, guided by connections rather than competence, the Europeans will brush it off. After all, it's hard to be passionate about something you don't understand.
Coalition Dispute: Cogitating over a Minimum Wage Amount
Unlike many rivers of information stemming from Brussels, the issues now at the negotiating table in Berlin could have tangible effects on people's everyday lives.
By Monday, a decision must be reached on the minimum wage for 2026, and arguments for and against the 15-Euro mark abound. With political parties fighting for their interests, the risks of a "marital spat" becoming a serious feud are high.
stern-Politics chiefs turn to the assistant for a quick assessment of chances for a “happy ending”:
Nostalgia for the Chancellor's Commissary
Before you bid farewell to the world of work, dear reader, what will you miss most about it? The sense of importance? Bad coffee and camaraderie? Quitting time?
Angela Merkel herself muses on the memories she'll cherish, long after her time in office: the canteen. Not for the service or the "high-performance treats for skilled workers," but for the beauty of the daily decorations. Fresh flowers adorning every table inspired awe in the former Chancellor, who described her daily routine as entering a "tough day with a beautifully decorated table."
I, too, have yet to read the biography that consumed 736 pages of the ex-Chancellor’s time. Perhaps in the forthcoming film adaptation, Matthias Schweighöfer might evoke more familiar feelings.
At least the book title, "Freedom," inadvertently made a subtle contribution to dispelling the German understatement culture. Thank you, Merkel!
Today's News in Brief:
- The United Nations will publish its World Drug Report today, timely as we commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse.*
- The Bundestag is scheduled to extend the Rental Price Brake until 2029, preventing its expiry at year-end and possibly addressing the housing market's much-needed adjustments.*
- Following more than 30 witnesses in six weeks, the closing arguments in the trial against Sean Combs, aka P. Diddy, will be heard today, with our live blog keeping you updated.*
Brussel's Eastern Wisdom of the Day:
- Visiting the 38th parallel has become an unavoidable day trip in South Korea, pulsating with tourism like no other border. But why? Observing North Korea from a safe distance and snapping a photo with an oversized IRT barrier feels more like a tourist attraction than a national security necessity.*
- For around 30 euros, you can join the countless tourists who venture on the travel operator's commodified conveyor belt, eager to glimpse the mysterious world of North Korea. From the military checkpoint to the abandoned Plexiglas border, it's all theatre that proves far from consequential.*
Yours,
Yannik Schüller
Keywords:
- European Union (EU)
- Diplomacy
- Harzer Brocken
- Angela Merkel
- Europe
- Brussels
- Ukraine
- Donald Trump
- Global Significance
- Coalition dispute
- Minimum amount
- Policy disagreements
- Angela Merkel's canteen memories
- The East's Eastern Wisdom of the Day: The 38th Parallel
The Commission is also proposing to extend the deadline for the submission of proposals to the Council about the policy disagreements, perhaps following the political discussions surrounding the minimum wage amount in Berlin, a matter of great interest in the world of general-news. As Angela Merkel reflects on her canteen memories filled with a sense of importance and camaraderie, one might view such diplmacy as a challenging mountain to climb, much like the turbulent EU summit compared to the Harzer Brocken, a symbol of high diplomacy.
