Chancellor on special paths

Rarely has Europe lived up to its claim of firstly acting confidently on the international stage and secondly being a haven of democratic culture. However, the old continent has never been so far removed from its claims as it is today. The picture that Europe paints in what is probably the most difficult geopolitical and economic situation since the end of the Second World War could hardly be sadder:

In Italy, the founding country of the EU, Giorgia Meloni, a post-fascist, took office as prime minister. She presents herself as an iron fighter against Brussels and Berlin. For Europe, “the fun is over,” she says: Italy first.

There is Great Britain, which is experiencing a state crisis unprecedented for a mature industrialized country. Blame it on a radicalized Conservative party that, in its Brexit mania (“We want control back”), has completely lost control and has now embarrassed itself to the core with the resignation of the libertarian Liz Truss.