Germany no longer needs Europe debate, Royal Geographical Society, May 2011.

Germany no longer needs Europe – the dream is over

17 May 2011

This sold out event took place at the Royal Geographical Society on 17th May 2011. Full audio is available on the player below, and full video will be available soon.

Event info:

“Even before it began, Europe’s moment as a major world power in the 21st century looks to be over.” So says Richard Haass, President of New York’s influential Council on Foreign Relations. And you can see where he’s coming from. The “no” votes on the EU constitution in 2005, the subsequent rise of nationalist and centre-right governments across Europe, the grudging bailout of Greece, the fumbled bailout of Ireland and all the sharp divisions exposed by the financial crisis. Europe? What Europe? In any case the Germans have got what they wanted – reunification – and feel increasingly disenchanted with the bargain they had to make to get it – accepting the euro. But that which does not kill us makes us stronger. And if Europe does survive the euro crisis it could well be that its leaders will strengthen economic policy coordination across the EU to ensure there’s no repeat performance – a fresh impetus for the dream of Europe. Pie in the sky? Come to the debate and see what a former French president and five other big hitters have to say on the issue.

Speakers for the motion

Daniel Hannan

Writer and journalist, and Conservative MEP for South East England since 1999
Oliver Kamm

Leader writer & columnist for The Times
Gisela Stuart MP

Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston

Chair

Nik Gowing

Main presenter, BBC World News.

Speakers against the motion

Timothy Garton Ash

Professor of European Studies at Oxford University and author of Facts are Subversive
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing

President of France 1974-1981
Dr Michael Stürmer

German historian and chief correspondent for Die Welt