Guardian Unlimited: A more assertive German chancellor - by Nicholas Watt

Angela Merkel
For the complete report in the Guardian Unlimited click on this link

A more assertive German chancellor - by Nicholas Watt

Angela Merkel and Jose Manuel Barroso put on a friendly show of unity in Berlin when they took the lead at a conference on the future of Europe.

Both sides were keen to play down reports of a rift after Guardian Unlimited suggested this week that the German chancellor is growing increasingly irritated with the performance of the European commission president.

Mr Barroso was said to be deeply unsettled by the Guardian Unlimited report which has been reflected in other papers, notably the Financial Times. Johannes Laitenberger, Mr Barroso's chief spokesman, went out of his way to tell Guardian Unlimited that the report was without foundation. He said the commission often has differences with all member states, but Mr Barroso's relations with Ms Merkel were as warm as ever.

While Mr Barroso has been personally unnerved by the chilly wind from Berlin, other European leaders are noting Ms Merkel's assertiveness with interest. Germany, which bankrolls the EU to the tune of 20%, traditionally does not assert its national interest, for obvious historic reasons. It usually leaves the shouting to France. As she struggles to keep her "grand coalition" together - and as Europe embarks on a bout of soul-searching about its future - Ms Merkel has decided that the time has come to speak up, however unsettling that may be for Brussels.