Europe's crisis that won't go away
If the great divide widens and Germany digs in its heels then much is at risk.
Simon Tilford from the Centre for European Reform says: "This is a recipe for stagnation, deflation and political populism in France and Italy. It may culminate in a breakdown in relations between Germany and these countries and could even lead to a eurozone break-up."
Germany and France have demonstrated during this crisis that when the eurozone is at risk they compromise.