Germans Believe Britain Is Europe's Leading State

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12-3-2003 | Kate Connolly

[blam]

Germans believe Britain is Europe's leading state

By Kate Connolly in Berlin
(Filed: 03/12/2003)

Britain has come top of a poll among Germans who were asked to name Europe's most powerful nation.

Results of the opinion poll - in which 1,500 Germans were asked: "Which country is the leading power in Europe?" - showed that 27 per cent thought Britain was "indisputably" number one.

France was regarded as the most powerful by 26 per cent, and Germany by 21 per cent.

In a similar survey a decade ago, 57 per cent considered Germany the top power, with Britain seen as such by only eight per cent. The new study showed that 42 per cent of those surveyed felt that Germany's influence in Europe had decreased.

Christian Jung, of the Berlin-based Federal Association of German Banks which commissioned the poll, said the results showed a growing discontent with Germany's economic problems and a perception of increasing self-confidence in Britain.

"They reflect the loss of self-confidence caused by the economic stagnation of the past few years," he said. "Due to the Iraq conflict, Britain has been perceived increasingly as an international player."

[spyone]

Be friends with the USA and your standing will go up.

[evad]

France was regarded as the most powerful by 26 per cent..

Most powerful at WHAT???...seriously!

[Warthog]

Well Britain should be so considered. Afterall when you have the biggest baddest dude anywhere as your best friend who listens to you how else can you be considered?

[JZoback]

Those French cheese eating surrender monkeys are going to pissed.

Who cares?

[Warthog]

umm odor?

[adakota]

you got that right

[CommandoFrank]

Reported comment from France:

"We are deeply saddened..."

[Timocrat]

Or alternatively "Now would be a good time for the Germans to shut up" -- Jacques "Je ne suis pas un voleur" Chirac.

[the rifleman]

I've got one thing to say to the Germans - Don't ever forget it either!

[F16Fighter]

"Most powerful at WHAT???...seriously!"

Well, France did flex their military muscle a few years back by blowing up a Greenpeace boat.

[evad]

" by blowing up a Greenpeace boat. "

Ahhh...that explains it ;-)

[Alter Kaker]

Most powerful at WHAT???...seriously!

There is no question France has most powerful military force in Europe, superior to UK and Germany in power and projectibility.

[Cicero]

I'd say Britain has the most powerful forces and proven fighting capability. France is second. They may be cowards who fight on the wrong side, but they have a good collection of nuclear weapons and some units that can fight. Germany has a very expensive military, but too many of them are blow-dried peaceniks.

[Warthog]

Actually no Alter. The British nuclear force is bigger, its Navy and Army are bigger and better and its ships actually work (e.g., versus the newest French Carrier). Check Strategy Page for the big point that the British are the only ones that can keep up with the US in joint operations.

[The KG9 Kid]

I question that.

I say England.

[McGavin999]

What difference does it make what size military they have, they don't have a clue what to do with it. They always find themselves on the wrong side.

[Alter Kaker]

The British nuclear force is bigger

This is untruth. France has 384 deliverable nuclear warheads compared to 200 for Britain. But France warheads are also much more technologically advanced such warheads, as are delivery system.

Navy and Army are bigger and better

Bigger? Simply untruth. Better? Subjective, but our sources disagree strongly with your assessment. Of course real markers (absent war in Western Europe) are projectibility and logistical coordination of which France has far superior independent capability in this regard.

Check Strategy Page for the big point that the British are the only ones that can keep up with the US in joint operations.

This is undoubtedly true for simple fact that British and American forces are traditionally integrated at many levels. But unlike France, Britain has no capability to conduct own operations in country more significant than Sierra Leone. It is only with greatest luck - and with very significant aid of United States - that UK has won war with Argentina.

[cinFLA]

"In a similar survey a 55 years ago, 0.7 per cent considered Germany the top power, with Britain seen as such by 98 per cent. The new study showed that 100 per cent of those surveyed felt that Germany's influence in Europe had decreased between the years 1944 and 1946.

[Alter Kaker]

In 1946, and every year after until collapse, most powerful country in Europe was Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. UK has not been most powerful since Bismarck.