#Merkel spoke about the EU& #39;s response to #COVID19 & the priorities of the German Council Presidency this weekend. There were a few surprises. Could this potentially mean shift in German European policy after years of stagnation? Short THREAD https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-de/mediathek/europa-coronavirus-gebaerde-1747066!mediathek">https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-de/m...

1/ The focus on European solidarity and cohesion could not be clearer & is a shift from a rather silent Germany beforehand: "Germany cannot be strong if others are not doing well"; "Some countries fear to be weakened from this crisis, while Germany is relatively well-off".

2/ While the German gov has always declared itself pro-EU integration, the clear words "we need more Europe" & "Europe should grow together during this crisis" takes another dimension in the current crisis.

3/ While I wasn& #39;t expecting much from the https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇩🇪" title="Flag of Germany" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Germany"> Council Presidency, #Merkel announces rather important shifts in policy: Increased #MFF contribution; but also continued focus on #climate, #digital & #strategicautonomy - which could mean a https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇩🇪" title="Flag of Germany" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Germany"> comprehensive view on crisis management.

4/ Most surprising: #Merkel mentions potential EU reform in healthcare (more competences for https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇪🇺" title="Flag of European Union" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of European Union">?); env. #taxes & even financial transaction tax. While it will be difficult to find compromise, it is a rather welcome development to see that https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇩🇪" title="Flag of Germany" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Germany"> shows more willingness to act.

*a shift!