Kickstarting the EU’s Franco-German Motor

A well-maintained Franco-German relationship helps drive the EU forward

The important Franco-German relationship, the economic and political motor that helps drive the EU forward, took a turn for the better this week, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s rare state visit to Germany, the highest form of diplomatic contact since former French President Jacques Chirac's state visit to Germany nearly a quarter of a century ago.

Since then, of course, there have been many official and working visits by French presidents to Germany. However, this week was different, the red carpet was rolled out in front of the Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the French president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were welcomed with military honours.

This three-day state visit, at the invitation of the German president, took place just over a week away from important EU parliament elections, which will prove consequential for the direction of the EU over the next five-year term. It also comes at a time when diplomatic relations between France and Germany had become somewhat frosty. If there ever was a more important time to kickstart the relationship, that time is now, and the German president no doubt must be quite satisfied with having chosen this particular date in the calendar.

The visit coincided with events in the German capital, Berlin, celebrating German democracy and the founding of the German Federal Republic. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Grundgesetz, the Basic Law, Germany’s democratic constitution. That text was drafted in 1949 in the aftermath of World War II when Germany and France had fought on opposite sides. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution that saw Germany reunited at the end of the Cold War, a development that the German president said this week, “would never have come to pass without France’s support.”

Significantly, President Macron was the only foreign state guest to attend these celebrations in Germany. Over the three days, this state visit took in Berlin with stops in Dresden, Meseberg, and Münster, where President Emmanuel Macron was the recipient of the International Prize of the Peace of Westphalia for his commitment to peace in Europe.

Why is the Franco-German relationship important for the EU?

The Franco-German relationship has had many twists and turns dating back centuries, with periods of both conflict and cooperation. The 20th Century saw both countries go to war twice against each other in two world wars, and then recognize the need for reconciliation to ensure lasting peace in Europe. They became friends and founding members of the European integration project that ultimately developed into today's European Union.

At a joint press conference on Sunday, President Macron described his visit as:

“an unprecedented opportunity, at such a serious time, to express the strength of our friendship, to reiterate our will, to nourish it, to cultivate it, to give it in some way new objects, new perspectives, and also to tell Europe and the world that this couple is one”. (translated from French)

On Sunday night, at a state banquet in honor of the French President and his wife, the German President described the Franco-German friendship as:

“deeply anchored in both countries’ image of themselves.”

It is not really possible to understand the success of today’s deeply integrated, largely peaceful, European continent without understanding the central role that the Franco-German relationship has played. As two key member states, focused on European integration, the Franco-German couple has over many decades been the motor of the European project.

Of course, there are many other dynamics at play in today’s EU, but this bilateral relationship remains to a large extent essential in underwriting the EU’s future success. They remain the European Union’s two largest economies and the two most populated member states. They contribute the most to the EU budget. This gives them a lot of EU voting power and influence, which is only magnified when they cooperate with joint policy positions and initiatives. In the EU, the member states co-legislate with the EU parliament, so this makes their agreement on key issues essential for progress on shared goals like the Eurozone, the Single Market, and further integration. The Franco-German motor may not be sufficient to secure the EU’s future success, but it is certainly necessary.

If French and German leaders share similar values and goals that align with the EU's long-term interests, their continued cooperation can be a key factor in the EU's stability and global influence. Historically, this alignment has been crucial, but past cooperation doesn't guarantee a smooth future. External challenges, significant shifts in national priorities, or even ideological changes can alter the equation. Imagine this partnership as a complex engine; various parts need to be well-maintained and work in harmony for the journey to continue. Just like a change in the engine's core components can significantly impact performance, a fundamental change in either country's political landscape or its vision for the EU could lead them to diverge on the longer path forward.

It has been well-documented for some time that the relationship between the French president and the current German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who succeeded the long-serving former chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021, has at times not been so close. The two leaders have at times been at odds with each other on a wide range of issues such as EU defence, trade, and energy policy. Still, despite these tensions, they continue to talk to each other and seek to find a way forward. This week represented an opportunity to clear the path, to put these differences behind them, and kickstart their relationship for the benefit of their countries and the greater good of the E.U.

So, what did this week’s state visit achieve?

If there were any concerns that the Franco-German motor was kaputt, then the last few days of diplomacy during this state visit should be seen as the much-needed service to help kickstart that motor and help drive the EU forward over its next five-year journey... continue to read or listen to this article on Kevin Unscrambles

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