Jens Weidmann, the influential head of Germany’s central bank, may consider himself a master of the universe, but he could soon become a pawn in Angela Merkel’s game of EU chess.
The German chancellor, top government sources say, has set her sights on getting a German as president of the European Commission and is willing to give up the European Central Bank presidency she promised to Mr. Weidmann.
In her cold realpolitical way, Ms. Merkel is calculating that Berlin can exert greater influence in the EU with the top job in the bloc’s executive body. The recent trade deal between the current commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, and US President Donald Trump demonstrated once again the potential power of the office. Read more