Hélène Kohl, edited by Manon Fossat 07:28 am, November 04, 2021
The German Chancellor must quit politics after the constitution of a new government expected in December and currently negotiated by the Social Democrats (SPD) with environmentalists and liberals.
If they succeed, the current Minister of Finance, the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, will succeed him.
With the departure of Angela Merkel in a month, how can Franco-German relations develop?
Warning spoiler: no break in sight.
The future coalition is already committed to working hand in hand with Paris.
But it will still be necessary to get to know the next chancellor.
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Olaf Scholz is neither francophone nor particularly francophile.
But he is a man from the north, pragmatic and he knows how fundamental the relationship with Paris is.
The French capital will also be his first official trip: he does not want to break the tradition.
"The Franco-German relationship is central to moving Europe forward and acquiring more European sovereignty," he assures us.
Especially since in recent years, Olaf Scholz has woven his network in France, when he was Minister of Finance.
He worked with Bruno Le Maire in a climate of trust and mutual respect.
Frictions on budgetary issues?
The Franco-German relationship will not necessarily be very warm in the coming months, but the two countries should succeed in moving forward together.
Especially since Olaf Scholz's coalition wants to speed up the pace of decision-making in Germany.
This desire could be an asset for Emmanuel Macron, who in particular needs to act quickly at the European level before the presidential election.
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The only obstacle in sight: the possibility of having a German Minister of Finance, from the Liberal Party, very strict on budgetary questions in Europe.
In this case, we must expect a confrontation between the two capitals.