At the end of last year I spent a couple of months working in Berlin, at the broadsheet newspaper Die Welt.

The referendum had just happened and as I expected my German colleagues were falling over themselves to discuss it.

What surprised me was that pretty much all their analysis of our big, momentous, soul-searcher of a decision revolved around a single issue: the EU. Most of the Germans I spoke to were glad Scotland had voted No for one reason only - in their minds it meant the UK was more likely to remain within the EU. And they really, really didn't want Britain to leave. "Other than Germany, the UK is the only strong country in Europe," I heard again and again. "We need you."

Which brings me to the election. Reading the German coverage has been fascinating. I wasn't surprised to see that there was plenty of it - the German media is refreshingly interested in what happens outside of their own back yard. What struck me was that much of the analysis comprised genuine shock and frustration that Britain's future in the EU had not been the big issue keeping politicians and voters awake at night.

"Why aren't you bothered about the prospect of an EU referendum?" the German commentators cried. You could sense the tearing of hair, the shaking of heads buried in hands. There's been a similar response in Denmark, Sweden, France and Spain, where much of the coverage has also focused on EU membership, or what our European cousins see as our "weird" voting system, and the seemingly hysterical reaction of much of the UK media to the possibility of coalition or minority government. Across much of the continent coalition government is the norm, of course, and has been for generations.

I think my European colleagues have a good point. Despite the fundamental importance of Europe both economically and intellectually to the UK, and the fundamentally different approach taken by David Cameron and Ed Miliband - one wants a referendum on Europe, one does not - it played a depressingly small part in the campaign.

Only Nigel Farage and UKIP seemed to mention Europe at all, and all too often the issue was linked solely to immigration. Who is making the other side of the argument, that having closer ties with Europe could be the making, rather than the breaking, of a more modern UK?

It's interesting that Nicola Sturgeon is arguably the most pro-European of all the main party leaders, though in common with the others there was perceived to be bigger fish to fry during this SNP campaign.

Why did Labour and the Conservatives let Farage set the agenda on Europe? Fear of the voters and their own parties, one suspects. But whether they like it or not, the issue will play a key role in the next Westminster parliament. It is lurking under the surface and getting ready to bite us all, politicians and people alike.

A decision will have to be made. But perhaps just as importantly, a debate will have to be had. And about time too.

Marianne Taylor is a fellow of the International Journalists' Programme