After all, the massive white Chancery is eight times the size of the White House. Germany's chancellor has spoken out on EU and US policy. It's the kind of comment that's emblematic of Germany's hesitant assertion of its place as not only Western Europe's largest economic power, but also a political force to be reckoned with. The most visible manifestation of that emerging role is a proposal to transform the European Parliament into a bicameral assembly with an elected government. It's not just the plan itself, but the nation that's making it, that tends to cause unease from London to Vienna.
Supporters say it's only right for Germany to assert itself.
But never far from any debate, is the knowledge that this is the country that launched two world wars in the past century in an attempt to rule its neighbors. Since the cold war's peaceful end and reunification in 1990, German leaders have faced a peculiar dilemma. Yet should Germany assume a role in foreign policy more befitting its size and wealth, the country runs the risk of being labeled resurgent. In its active push for EU reform, Germany is an easy target. Germany knows perfectly that being alone in Europe would harm Germany in the end.