The Limitations of Germany`s Leadership in the EU and its Role in the Development of European Integration

The research analyses the question of political and economic leadership of Germany within the EU from the perspective of intergovernmentalism, boundaries that the country has to overcome to keep its position as well as the future role of Germany in the development of the European integration processes. The author examines the development of the idea of united Europe and the part that Germany played in it. The context of German leadership and its features is explored. The main goals of the country within the EU and its instruments are analyzed. Special attention is given to the cases of successful implementation of German leadership (debt crisis, the Ukrainian question) as well as European limitations of Germany, such as lack of solidarity, security issues and opposition within the country. Moreover, the author analyses external limitations (transatlantic partnership, peacekeeping operations and Bundeswehr reform as well as Germany-Russia relations). The research makes a prediction regarding the future development of the EU and Germany’s key role in this process. Keywords: intergovernmentalism; European integration; European Union; refugee crisis; Germany; Euro-Atlantic region; solidarity; leadership; debt crisis.