`` It is a delicate situation , because there is a real risk of inflaming old passions and resentments , '' he said . Germany has been at the very heart of the European Union since it began 60 years ago . As region 's strongest economy , it has borne the brunt of the cost of recent rescue deals . Deutschmark was seen as symbol of Germany 's post-WWII recovery , move to euro a major sacrifice . But now that its currency is in free fall and interest rates are rising, Germans have become more skeptical about their future.
Germany has been at the very heart of the European Union since it began 60 years ago . As region 's strongest economy , it has borne the brunt of the cost of recent rescue deals . Deutschmark was seen as symbol of Germany 's post-WWII recovery , move to euro a major sacrifice . But now that its currency is in free fall and interest rates are rising, Germans have become more skeptical about their future.