Dr. Landry Charrier argues that while the Franco-German Ministerial Council in Brühl demonstrated unity, fundamental strategic differences between Berlin and Paris persist. The expectations for a fresh start in bilateral relations associated with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s inauguration have not yet been fulfilled. Instead, national priorities, conflicts over industrial policy – particularly in the defense sector – and mutual mistrust are straining cooperation.
At the same time, the author identifies a shortcoming in German European policy. While France, under Emmanuel Macron, has repeatedly developed strategic visions for the future of Europe, Germany lacks a comparable guiding principle for its European policy. In Charrier’s view, the ongoing tensions between the two countries are not only an expression of bilateral disagreements but also a symptom of the European Union’s current difficulties in taking action. The future of Europe therefore depends largely on whether Germany and France succeed in transforming their differences into a viable common strategy.