Brussels Edition: Tremors From Thuringia

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A week after the EU waved goodbye to Britain, its biggest and most enthusiastic member is in trouble. The far right is on the ascent, the governing coalition in perpetual disarray, Angela Merkel’s heir-apparent is failing to inspire confidence, and the economy is mired in the doldrums. The timing couldn’t be worse for Brussels. The bloc is looking to Berlin for leadership in order to agree on its next trillion-euro budget, and Germany will have to manage the real Brexit, possibly without a deal, when it holds the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of this year. And if Germany’s climate policy is any guide, the throne of leadership may be empty.