"Who do I call if I want to call Europe?"
Thomas Klein-Brockhoff, distinguished scholar for Geostrategy at German Marshall Fund, recently voiced the question of a ‘leaderless Europe’ being the result of the war in Ukraine. This follows an idea that the countries traditionally considered to be the ‘leaders’ of Europe, notably Germany and France, are no longer in the position to do so and are gradually losing the trust and faith of Eastern Europe. Having war on its doorstep once again has shaken Europe, and it has thrown the Union into limbo. Moving forward, we face the question of who should lead Europe or whether the question should actually be if we need or should have a leader at all? Following Merkel’s step-down as German Chancellor, many looked to France and President Macron to take the lead. His first term was littered with pro-EU sentiment, but they have not yet been translated into concrete policy success. A vast majority of his policy suggestions have either been ignored or directly disputed by other member...