German dominance over Europe, particularly since Europe’s foreign debt crisis began, has been a major topic of discussion throughout the continent, with the wounds of World War II clearly on display – particularly in Greece. But when the Germans themselves start satirizing their own influence, it is a sure sign that Berlin is getting used to its growing influence. In this tongue-in-cheek article from Germany’s Die Welt, columnist Hans Zippert pokes fun at these allusions to German influence and Chancellow Angel Merkel’s insistence to austerity rather than stimulus – and takes them one step further.
For Die Welt, Hans Zippert starts off this way:
Even Francois Hollande didn’t escape unscathed. With [confident and former cabinet minister] Horst Seehofer nodding approvingly, Merkel let it be known that a president whose name is the same as another E.U. country [Hollande] might not be ideal as leader of the French. Just imagine if the president of Russia were named “Drafi German.” Merkel unmistakably said, “You’re welcome to broadcast that.”
Merkel told a spontaneously convened press conference that this recalcitrance was getting on her nerves, and that sometimes even her patience runs short. She announced, “I have asked [German President] Gauck for Barack Obama’s dismissal from the Oval Office, and he was happy to comply with my request.”
Merkel blames Obama in particular for her losses in the North Rhein/Westphalia state parliamentary elections, when the Americans didn’t so much as make an appearance. Obama was clearly taken by surprise and left the conference hall in tears.
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