Germany also has an economy that is most threatened by China’s increasing manufacturing prowess, both within the EU and outside of it.
It is also becoming apparent that Merkel’s leadership was in just being able to maintain the status quo, something that Germany can’t do now.
Or we could see a reimagining of the EU as it transitions from a national led organization to a supernational one. We are already seeing some national heads make moves to support their party over nation in EU politics. It is possible that this continues as politics in the EU becomes more important than member nations, especially as the EU starts gaining increasing budgetary and policy power.