The upcoming state visit by President Macron to Berlin, Dresden, and Muenster marks the first French presidential visit to Germany in 24 years. This visit holds great significance as it will serve as a barometer for the health of the German-French relationship, which plays a pivotal role in shaping EU policies. It comes at a crucial time for Europe, with challenges ranging from the conflict in Ukraine to the impending U.S. presidential election.
President Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have distinct leadership styles and have openly disagreed on issues such as defense and nuclear energy since the latter assumed office in late 2021. Despite this, they have recently found common ground on various fronts, including fiscal reform and power market subsidies, enabling the EU to present a more united front and reach important agreements.
Notably, tensions exist within the German-French relationship, largely due to their willingness to address challenging topics. However, there have been areas of convergence, particularly regarding the expansion of the EU towards the east.
The upcoming visit signifies a high-level effort to demonstrate the effectiveness of the relationship. However, fundamental differences on key EU issues still persist.
One significant point of contention revolves around European defense, especially in the event of a potential victory by Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Defense experts perceive Trump as a less predictable ally for Europe compared to his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.
Earlier this year, the former president indicated that he would not guarantee NATO member protection from a potential Russian attack if their contributions to the alliance were insufficient. This stance has sparked concerns within France, which has advocated for a more self-reliant Europe in defense matters.
President Macron’s itinerary includes meetings with several key figures, as well as a significant cabinet meeting in Meseberg, where the two governments will strive to find common ground on issues that have posed challenges, particularly defense and competitiveness. Additionally, they will seek to align their agenda for the EU’s next five years, considering the expected rise of far-right influence in the upcoming parliamentary elections, which could complicate EU decision-making.
This visit carries both ceremonial and substantive weight, and it underscores the ongoing efforts to foster a meaningful understanding and collaboration between France and Germany.
