EU crisis: Germany the 'unquestioned' master of Europe, says analysts

"For the first time in the history of the EU, Germany is the unquestioned leader, and France is number two," said Charles Grant, of the CER, citing growing inquality ever since the financial crisis struck in 2008. "Regular summits between Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy maintain the appearance of parity," he said. But citing divergent performance whether in terms of public finances, exports or the spreads on bond markets, France has been "forced" to bow to German leadership on economic policy.