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SPD MP Roth: “Deep-seated lack of understanding about each other”
Photo: Thomas Bartilla / Future Image / IMAGO
The tensions in German-French relations are causing concern among the Social Democrats.
Michael Roth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, expects Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron to get their act together.
»We cannot afford a Franco-German dispute.
This is dangerous for Ukraine,” Roth told SPIEGEL.
There is a “deep-seated lack of understanding about each other,” said the Social Democrat.
"The Chancellor is right that France has to do more." For Macron, it is incomprehensible that Scholz has such a good relationship with US President Joe Biden.
»But that doesn't help.
“Ukraine now needs pragmatic, rapid help, especially ammunition and anti-aircraft defense,” said Roth.
In Europe, people are currently hiding behind each other, "and the Kremlin is grinning."
German-French relations have apparently reached a low point.
At the end of a Ukraine conference in Paris at the beginning of the week, Macron said that sending Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out.
Scholz clearly opposed this and confirmed on Wednesday: "As German Chancellor, I will not send any soldiers from our Bundeswehr to Ukraine."
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SPD chancellors have always had extraordinary relationships with French presidents, SPD European politician Axel Schäfer told SPIEGEL, "between Willy Brandt and George Pompidou, Helmut Schmidt and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Gerhard Schröder and Jacques Chirac."
When it comes to war issues, the Federal Republic must behave differently than France, said Schäfer.
"The relationship works in everyday life, but Macron is dependent on Scholz."
France alone hardly has the economic strength to lead in Europe, said Schäfer.
"But we often practice self-confident modesty." Scholz must now take on the leadership role in Europe, as he did in the dispute with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.