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"Confrontations". The word becomes fashionable in Franco-German relations. After Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel used it in an interview with a German newspaper to discuss her relationship with Paris. The two capitals have had divergent positions on several issues recently. More broadly, the German Chancellor is reproached for not having sufficiently supported the proposals of the French president on Europe. She defends himself.
With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut
Confrontations, differences of mentality yes, but no deterioration of the relationship with Paris. After Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel gives up worn-out speeches about the Franco-German friendship foolproof for a more realistic rhetoric.
The French president confirmed Wednesday his recent statements on " a fruitful confrontation " with Berlin stressing accepting momentary disagreements to find compromises.
In recent months, various cases have illustrated such disagreements as Germany's freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia or differences over the Brexit carryover.
More broadly, Angela Merkel rejects in her interview with the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung the idea that she would permanently rein in Emmanuel Macron's European proposals evoking his involvement in the Balkans or for Africa.
In France as in Germany, the absence of reactions, the skepticism and even the rejection of the French proposals were regretted. Angela Merkel recalls the laborious constitution of a new German government and its constraints at the head of a coalition and in front of a Parliament more powerful than in France.
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