ANALYSIS
This is a first for 35 years! Angela Merkel is received in Brégançon Thursday afternoon by Emmanuel Macron, while a German chancellor had not visited the summer residence of French presidents since Helmut Kohl in 1985. But Emmanuel Macron has a taste for traditions. Last year he received Vladimir Poutine in Brégançon, and in 2018 Theresa May.
Many subjects should occupy the two heads of state: the coronavirus crisis, the explosion in Beirut, Turkish ambitions in the Aegean Sea, the disputed presidential election in Belarus, the climate or even the European recovery plan. It is also an opportunity for the Franco-German couple to show their good understanding in this first diplomatic meeting of the return to Emmanuel Macron. The Elysée even promises discussions "in confidence". The last few months have brought together the Chancellor and the President, united to have the European recovery plan adopted, partly financed by a common debt.
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A new start in the Franco-German relationship
"Something happened between April and May, the president had been waiting for this for a long time," observes a macronist. The Chancellor took a step towards the French positions in favor of the crisis, enough to mark a new start in a relationship that sometimes seemed to wither away. "Merkel is no longer Mrs Nein , she agrees to take more risks," said a minister.
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But the good understanding displayed will undoubtedly not make it possible to avoid more thorny subjects, such as the crisis between Greece and Turkey. While France raised the tone last week in support of Athens, Berlin sent the three countries back to back, calling for "de-escalation", an attitude far from being appreciated by all on the French side.