Past Debates

"Braucht Deutschland mehr Europa?", 14 June, 2013

University of Mainz – Atrium Maximum / Alte Mensa

In recent years, political discussions on the European integration process have changed significantly at national and European level. Questions about the legitimacy of European governance are no longer found exclusively in theoretical debates, but are increasingly becoming part of public discussions. During the preparation of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the subsequent ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, conflicts over this issue have become increasingly intense throughout Europe. The current financial and economic crisis has additionally contributed to the political mobilization of citizens. As a result, the European public has become more contentious, but also more inclusive - in addition to traditional political actors, stakeholders, social movements and citizens are now more involved.
What role should Germany play in the EU? How is the legitimacy of the EU currently being considered in Germany? How strong is the EU's democratic deficit? Should the European integration process be further deepened? Does Germany threaten to become eurosceptic?
The discussion will include these and other questions to examine the current German attitude to the EU.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Werner Weidenfeld, Director from C·A·P and Professor for Political Science at the LMU Munich

Margit Conrad (SPD), Minister of State, plenipotentiary of the Land Rhineland-Palatinate at the Federal Government and for Europe

Birgit Collin-Langen (CDU) ,Member of the European Parliament, Group of the European People's Party (EVP)

Hubert Aiwanger (Freie Wähler), Member of Parliament in the Bavarian state parliament

Moderation: Christoph Heinemann, Deutschlandfunk