G20 decision without consensus could be success for German presidency - T20

The lack of a consensus at the G20 could become actually a success for the German presidency, if it succeeded in building alliances for individual topics, in essence breaking with the forum’s convention of consensus-based decision-making, Dennis Snower, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy told journalists at a Think Tank 20 (T20) press briefing in Berlin. “In the past, everything that was not consensus, was simply not considered,” said Snower. This time, it would be different, because Chancellor Angela Merkel had announced that she would stand by her principles and stand up for topics like climate protection, while not looking to be on a collision course with any one member state. “This would mean that the G20 could have an influence, even if there was no consensus by all,” said Snower. Dirk Messner, Director of the German Development Institute (DIE) said it remained to be seen if US President Trump would accept a communiqué that recognised such a 19+1 solution regarding climate. Yet, Trump could not stop other heads of state to “communicate ambitious steps forward”, for example at a press conference, or in joint papers after the summit.

For background, read the CLEW article G20 climate, energy plan goes to the wire at Hamburg summit and the interview “Merkel has to play her cards right at the G20 summit in Hamburg”.