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Germany's time at the helm of the EU presidency was one of the most anticipated and closely watched periods of the biannual rotation. Germany is located at the geographical centre of Europe and is the largest country in the union. Germany has a long history with the EU, it was one of the 5 founding members more than 50 years ago. The union has grown and now encompasses 27 states, which combined, have the worlds largest gross domestic product. Of those states, Germany's economy is the largest and the third largest in the world.

Because it is the largest and most central state, it deals with many of the greater European issues on a domestic level. Such problems facing the EU with which Germany has already had to face are unemployment, shifting demographics, strained social security systems, intense international competition, environmental concerns and the challenge of securing an efficient energy supply. As one of the strongest members of the union, Germany is currently pushing for reform to strengthen, extend and modernize the EU.

Germany's plans for its presidency were ambitious and comprehensive; It's agenda was praised for being forward looking, clear and consisted. During it's term, from January 1st to June 30th 2007, Germany wanted to strengthen the European economy, set environmental standards, increase the power and standing of the EU, ensure social justice and ratify a binding European Constitution. Clear strategies to achieve these goals were announced.

The EU would be strengthened through a unanimous constitution, reduction in red tape and a more unified foreign policy. The economy would be empowered through methods similar to those used to reinvigorate Germany after WWII: Trade liberalization and investment. A key part of Germany's plan for the EU was to keep the union competitive and relevant in a globalized world. The German strategy places strong emphasis on unity: "Today more than ever before, Europe can only be strong enough to hold its own on the international stage if it presents a united front."

The union-wide ratification of a EU constitution was a central theme of Germany's presidency. Such a scheme had been floated before, however 2005 referenda in France and the Netherlands rejected the model. Germany re-launched the constitutional project halfway through it's term. Such a push from Germany was a clear move to create a political union rather than the current model, which is very much an economic based institution. Germany's current Chancellor,

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