Against the backdrop of allegations that the German foreign intelligence agency BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst) illegally helped the US National Security Agency (NSA) spy on officials and firms in Europe, many people in Berlin wonder whether Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel will challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel on this scandal, and whether it could undermine the stability and reliability of the German government when it comes to managing European or transatlantic affairs.
Gabriel has already pressed Merkel on whether there were further cases of industrial…