Thomas Fues is head of the training department at the German Development Institute in Bonn.

Economic Interests

The assessment of the G20 Summit by the German media has clearly been favourable to Chancellor Angela Merkel. She is generally credited with having had a decisive influence on the summit's proceedings and outcome, in a somewhat unexpected alliance with French President Sarkozy. From a German perspective, the key economic issues of the summit were strict regulation of the global financial sector, safeguarding an open world economy, effective action against tax havens, tight limits to management remuneration and the rejection of a globally agreed upon stimulus package. On all these points, German commentators rate the final document as a sound success of German-French positions over US-British inclinations. Public opinion has also positively responded to the elements of the London outcome in support of developing countries, which is seen as yet another step in tune with the Chancellor's programmatic worldview emphasizing global justice and sustainable development. Together with all the satisfaction over the wording of the final document, there is, however, an often heard note of caution and doubt on future implementation of the London decisions. Most journalists are not yet convinced that all G20 participants are serious about follow-up and fear that many might quickly renege on their high-sounding commitments.

Political Interests

As indicated above, Chancellor Merkel (Christian Democrats) and Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck from the competing Social Democrats are generally seen as effective representatives of German national interests while, at the same time, also successfully acting in support of global solutions. The approaching national elections (end of September 2009) have, so far, not brought forth noticeable tensions between the coalition parties in power with regard to global challenges. The German public, therefore, is under the impression that the government is in full command of domestic policies while participating in global governance in a meaningful way. The London Summit has certainly consolidated the positive image of Merkel as a key global player in her country. This is a welcome boost for her since considerable criticism had been building up on the alleged lack of a conservative profile in her governing style and substance. There is also a high degree of satisfaction about Merkel's special relationship with French President Sarkozy while, at the same time, staying on good terms with the leaders of the US and UK despite profound differences.

International Interests

In Germany, the G20 is widely interpreted as a suitable big power arena for the projection of national interests, particularly in comparison to other multilateral contexts, like the United Nations, where individual European states must channel their foreign policies through the consensus-building mechanisms of the European Union, often leading to watered-down positions of the least common denominator. The significant influence and reach of German representatives within the G20 also helps the country to hold on to its cherished self-image of a global leader in the face of growing anxieties of becoming increasingly marginalized as the core of the global economy shifts to Asia. Still, German diplomacy has yet to find satisfactory answers to two unresolved issues: What shape should the summit architecture take?  The German government will need to find an answer on G8 expansion versus the establishment of the G20 at the level of leaders. And the second dilemma: Can individual European nations, even those as powerful as Germany, expect to maintain a place at the global apex on their own or should they rather focus on an integrated European representation of interests to get on an equal footing with the US and China?

Global Leadership

The London Summit is generally seen as an important step forward in managing the global crisis. The German financial markets have reacted strongly on this perceived sign of global leadership and the media shares this sense of confidence. The present successful efforts of global policy coordination are often contrasted with failures in international cooperation during the Great Depression. In the face of historic experiences with Nazi terror and the suffering from World War II, the German public highly appreciates the positive political implications generated by coordinated crisis response and economic prosperity. Effective global governance is seen as a key prerequisite of domestic stability and democracy. In general, the impending transition from the G8 to a G20 world is regarded with high sympathy among policy makers and the public alike. However, there are some critical voices, particularly within civil society and academia, which question the legitimacy of club governance where major powers make decisions which affect all of humankind. They would prefer a reformed United Nations to become the privileged locus of global decision making in economic affairs. Still, Chancellor Merkel's proposal of a new Global Economic Council under the umbrella of the UN has so far met with little support in the media.

Bonn