Tooze

Die Zeit:

Tooze: The people at the ECB are experts. They know what they are doing. The German government relies on the functional effectiveness of these measures, but in return, it accepts a spiral of political de-legitimization that come along with them.

ZEIT ONLINE: Why is that, do you think?

Tooze: I think it has something to do with the obsessive focus on the status quo. You tell yourself: Everything is going just fine, and as long as we maintain the appearance that all is well, we don’t have to worry. But there are people who are concerned. This results in the opening of a flank at the center of society for the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany, which exploits this weakness with relish.

ZEIT ONLINE: What would you suggest?

Tooze: I would suggest putting an end to the deception. The Europeans should issue common bonds, corona bonds, to help overcome the crisis.

ZEIT ONLINE: But the AfD would also seek to exploit that decision.

Tooze: Certainly. But if you believe in democracy, you must at least try to find majorities for such a deepening of Europe. That is my criticism of Angela Merkel and of German finance minister Olaf Scholz. I know he understands it. And I know that smart people on his staff also understand it. So, why doesn’t he say: I trust my powers of persuasion and I am prepared to put my career on the line for this. I don’t think Germans are dumb. You can explain things to them.