Queen in Germany: it is about the EU future of Britain – SPIEGEL ONLINE

It will have been pivoted up on Friday, the Queen flies on their island back countless flags. No royal head of state can probably keep up when it comes to celebrity factor with Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. Elizabeth II. Appears in its 90th year in this country not to be less popular than in their homeland. But even in this state visit – it is their fifth in Germany – it is not just about pretty pictures.

Because the situation is serious: Elizabeth II is head of state of a country that could leave the European Union in the coming years..

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced no later than 2017 a referendum on Britain’s future in the EU: The conservative head of government receives pressure from the right, even from his own party. Cameron saw no other way out than to promise a referendum, which is to clarify definitively. Because he wants to avoid the withdrawal from the EU, the prime minister has called for simultaneously with the Member States reform in order to have more arguments for staying.

But why should the rest of the EU requirements are catered for by London’s treaty changes? Therefore, the concern is great also in Berlin that Cameron has miscalculated – and vote the British at the end of the exit.

The Queen as the top diplomat Britain

And what does that have to do with the Queen? A whole lot. Once, because she travels as a top envoy their Premiers to Berlin. “Who is the secret weapon of British diplomacy?” asked on Tuesday the conservative daily “The Telegraph” in view of the visit to Germany of the Queen. . Elizabeth II is by the desire of Cameron – with the Queen a week to exchange, as required by the Constitution – in their meetings with German President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel for the British EU amendments advertise.

However, the German head of state and the Chancellor, who traditionally vote closely on foreign policy issues, are likely to have a political agenda for discussions with their distinguished guest of the island: from the perspective of Germany would be an EU exit Britain especially painful, so you will be the queen suggest diplomatic dose, do your to remain in the community. A word of Queen on this issue would be on the island probably matter more than tens of interviews or government statements Cameron.

Federal President Gauck is Elizabeth II. Received on Wednesday morning in Schloss Bellevue, then a common Spreefahrt is planned before the Queen meets with the Chancellor. In the evening there is a big state dinner at the Bellevue, which includes Cameron will fly. On Thursday Gauck and the Queen will travel together to Frankfurt.

Officially keep to the political background covered

Officially wants the serious political background of the four-day visit nobody confirm. That does not belong in the run-up to a state visit. Whoever appeals to the British Ambassador Simon McDonald and government spokesman Steffen Seibert on getting evasive answers. And also in the Federal President, keep to the covered.

All the expectations are clearly formulated for the parliamentary sphere: “For us, the UK remains an important member state, we want to hold in the EU,” says Niels Annen, foreign policy spokesman of the SPD parliamentary group. However, there could “be no more special treatment, because the UK already enjoys in many issues”. Annen says: “The European values ​​are not negotiable, and I’m sure the Chancellor will make this clear also to the Queen.”

Even if the Greens are hoping for the clearest possible words in the talks with the Queen: “I expect that the Chancellor and the President will address the issue of EU-referendum,” says Omid Nouripour, foreign policy spokesman of the parliamentary group. “They must make clear that we want to keep our British friends as an equal member in the European Union.”

The Queen is 89. It would be her last official visit to Germany. You got to know all the major players in the politics in their long reign of 63 years. An unleashed by Germany World War witnessed later European integration, the rapprochement between the old foes. Whether Elizabeth II not all will do. Standing in their options to get the EU and Britain’s place in it? The next few days could give first answers.