Germany and France Convene Unprecedented Cabinet Meeting to Revitalize the Aging EU Engine with Oil

09 Oct, 2023

Germany and France Convene Unprecedented Cabinet Meeting to Revitalize the Aging EU Engine with Oil

France and Germany's governments have initiated an unprecedented two-day retreat in Hamburg to address and reset their relationship, which has been strained by disagreements on energy, industry, and defense policy. The longstanding Franco-German partnership, which has historically driven EU policies, has recently shown signs of friction despite its increased importance in addressing various crises faced by the European Union, such as irregular migration, the shift to a carbon-neutral economy, the Ukraine conflict, evolving relations with China, and conflicts in the Middle East.

Jacob Ross from the German Council on Foreign Relations expressed concern, stating that the Franco-German relationship is not meeting the current challenges effectively. One major issue is the ambition of French President Emmanuel Macron to position himself as the natural successor to former Chancellor Angela Merkel as Europe's leader, often taking assertive positions in Brussels that may contradict German interests. Conversely, Germany's focus on its transatlantic alliance with the United States, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has potentially strained its ties with France.

Moreover, the differing personalities of Macron and the reserved German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have contributed to difficulties in resolving their differences. Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the German parliament's Committee on European Union Affairs, noted the significant contrast between the two leaders.

The primary point of contention between the two nations currently revolves around EU electricity reform. Germany and some other EU states are advocating for stricter regulations on state-backed support for electricity prices, a move that could negatively impact French industry.

Despite these differences, both governments are downplaying their disagreements in public. A French cabinet member emphasized that the core of EU relations is to overcome differences.

The two-day retreat in Hamburg, where Scholz served as mayor from 2011 to 2018, seeks to rejuvenate the Franco-German relationship rather than produce immediate policy changes. This informal team-building exercise aligns with the German tradition of holding cabinet retreats, known as "Klausur."

The stakes are high, with Detlef Seif, a prominent member of the German Christian Democratic Union focused on EU affairs, warning that if both countries prioritize their individual interests, it could weaken not only France and Germany but also the overall stability and strength of the European Union.