Romaric Godin
French financial journalist Romaric Godin is La Tribune's Frankfurt correspondent.
Updated: 17 April 2012
Sources and authors
By Romaric Godin
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2 January 201318222 La Tribune Paris -
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On January 1, the Dublin government took over the rotating presidency of the European Union. However, French daily La Tribune argues that economic crisis and a shift in the balance of power in the EU have turned this institution into an empty shell. 
On the sidelines of the Brussels budget summit on November 22 and 23, Eurozone leaders approved the appointment of Luxembourgian Yves Mersch to the board of the European Central Bank. But he was elected despite the European parliament voting against him, a move which highlights the EU's dysfunctional nature. 
In opening the debate on the role of the European Central Bank, Nicolas Sarkozy aimed to obtain support from voters demanding a growth oriented economic policy. But in so doing, he attracted the ire of Angela Merkel, who needs to emphasise a rift with French President for domestic reasons.