Features of Germany's Participation in European Integration Processes

The theory and practice of developing integration are becoming very topical in modern conditions due to the growing complexity and inconsistency of the processes taking place in the European Union. In the processes of European integration at all its stages Germany's participation has always been very active. The article analyzes the main approaches to the study of the phenomenon of political leadership of the state in the theory of international relations. There is given the author's definition of the concept of "political leadership of the state". The main features of the political leadership of Germany in the EU at various stages of the development of European integration are identified. The main forms, quantitative and qualitative indicators of Germany's leadership in the modern EU have also been determined. The author has also identified the current trends in the development of German political leadership in the Eurointegration processes and determined the role of Germany in the crisis of European integration. The article describes the theoretical and methodological foundations of the study of the problem of political leadership of Germany in the European Union, examines the political leadership of the state in the theory of international relations, the concept of European integration as a methodological basis for the study of the problem of political leadership of Germany. In addition, the main stages and peculiarities of the evolution of the political role of Germany in the EU, the political prerequisites for the transformation of Germany into the "locomotive" of European integration, the features of the political leadership of Germany in the EU during the first and second chancellorship of Angela Merkel (2005-2013), modern trends in the development of the Germany's policy in the European Union (2013 — present time).