Over time, and in a process accentuated by the recent economic crisis, size and economic might meant that Germany began to set the tempo of European affairs. Today, Germany has clearly become the point of reference for shaping policy on the most important issues facing the EU.
随着时间的推移，在因最近的经济危机而大受关注的过程中，规模和经济实力让德国开始主导欧洲事务的基调。如今，德国显然已成为欧盟在为其所面临的最重要问题制定政策时的参照点。