Germans will head to the polls on Sunday in an election that has been eagerly anticipated by Brussels, as many officials hope Berlin will quickly return to its key role in European Union politics as the European bloc grapples with a series of crises.
In addition to struggling with the rate of economic growth and increased competition, the EU has been hit by US President Donald Trump's threats of a trade war, or by the ignoring of European leaders in attempts to end the war in Ukraine.
"Sometimes we are afraid of German leadership. But it is difficult to live without it," a European diplomat told the AFP news agency.
The uncertainties in Germany have been just a continuation of the political turmoil in France, where President Emmanuel Macron appointed his fourth prime minister in a year in December.
The Franco-German machine, considered most responsible for the EU's progress, "has not been able to work" and make "major decisions" in a period "when it is more necessary than ever before," said Yann Wernert, an analyst at the Jacques Delors Institute.
"We are not seeing much German commitment in the current EU legislature," said another diplomat.
The vacuum seems to have been filled by others.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country holds the EU presidency, has called on Brussels to do more to confront Russia, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has addressed migration issues.
However, analysts estimate that the shortage has been noticeable.
"Can the EU act without Germany and France? In an emergency it would be possible, but it is better to act with France and Germany," said another diplomat.
Germany will hold snap elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition.
The conservative CDU/CSU alliance, with candidate Friedrich Merz, is leading in the polls./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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