T
he disappointment is as at the same level as the high hopes placed by France in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in Berlin in May 2025: immense. After years of misunderstanding between Emmanuel Macron and the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz (2021-2025), Paris saw the arrival of the conservative Merz as a historic opportunity to revive a Europe neglected by the United States.
And with good reason. In just a few weeks, Merz shattered several long-standing taboos, finally allowing Germany to take on significant debt to fund its rearmament, condemning its excessive dependence on the United States and speaking openly about European defense. Faced with this committed European, sometimes hastily labeled a "neo-Gaullist," Paris was delighted.
Subscribers only
Germany and France now publicly display their disagreements over Macron's proposals
