Germany: Europe's indispensable power
For years it has been the German creed: a European Germany and not a German Europe.
And yet Germany, with its Wirtschaftswunder - its economic miracle - now finds itself Europe's indispensable power.
Its political class did not seek this role, but in Europe today no major decision can be taken without reference to Germany.
It is one of the great ironies of the eurozone crisis that the single currency, which was designed to bind Germany more closely into Europe, has ended up confirming Germany's strength. For many Germans this remains an uncomfortable truth.
The Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, recently told his compatriots: "I warn us against any form of Teutonic snootiness."
The Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, said the German economy was "a source of pride" - but he felt compelled to add "not smugness".
For decades Germany had pretended to be less influential than it was. Some wanted the country to be a kind of Greater Switzerland.
All of that disappeared with the eurozone crisis.
As one German paper said: "They're suddenly realising that the world is relying on them to save the euro and avert a disaster for the global economy."
The article continued: "The Germans are going through a crash course in being a leading power."
It has been a painful process. Initially the Germans were criticised for acting too slowly.
They were accused of putting the interests of German taxpayers above the rest of Europe, of lacking solidarity.
Then events - and American pressure - nudged Chancellor Angela Merkel into action.
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