Katinka Barysch is a German economist and financial commentator. (wikipedia)
Merkel is against French protectionism, but she will not do anything to embarrass the French.
There's no doubt we will see a watering down of Merkel's program. When you look at the breakdown of the cabinet, it is clear that she will need a lot of skills to keep this government together.
What Merkel is trying to do is to restore to some extent that balancing function within Europe and between Europe and the U.S..
The perception is that foreign investment is not good for jobs.
I don't think so. Every country is under pressure to defend their national interest.
As economic competition increases and the pace of change accelerates, governments are trying to tighten their grip on what levers they have.
I presume it will be someone of a lesser standing (than Schroeder), so the SPD mark on German foreign policy will be weaker.
The mood is against integration right now. Politicians have taken worries over the security of energy supplies and capitalized on them.
It is a proxy battle for a more flexible employment model versus what the French like to call a social model for Europe.
The commission is right to be proposing a new European dimension of energy policy. The European angle is secondary for member states like France, which is sad. It will take time to make progress.