The task of chairing the European Union has never been easy. With 27 member states since last January, cobbling together compromises has become ever more complex. Usually, big member states are worse at the job than small ones, because they try to set their own agenda, and seek to achieve too much.

It is all the more remarkable, therefore, to be able to compliment Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and her cumbersome grand coalition, for the very successful presidency they have conducted in the past six months. Old Brussels hands describe Ms Merkel as the most effective council president they can remember. She combines a command of detail and directness of approach with a lack of arrogance and willingness to listen to big and small alike. She is firm but not threatening.