The euro – more than just a currency. Bertelsmann Impulse #2015/01

Working together is worthwhile; growing together even more so. After more than 20 years of the single market and 15 years of monetary union, the members of the European Union – once referred to as the European Community – are interwoven. Indeed, they are very closely interconnected. Despite this, in the face of heated debates arising once again over a looming sovereign default by Greece, there is once again an uneasy feeling about having to pay up for the debts of other member states. In Germany, the largest contributor country, the willingness to act in solidarity is steadily decreasing. And this is despite the fact that Germany profits from the euro in many ways. Even in the country with the strongest economy, many are asking themselves whether this is the beginning of the end for the euro zone