Merz and Macron: Can these two men save Europe?

The French medieval fortress is impressive Fort de Brégançon on a rock lead. From here, the sea and coast can be observed without being exposed to the wind too much. It rarely happens that a German head of government may be a guest here in the summer residence of the French President. Emmanuel Macron has Friedrich Merz invited to the start of the Franco-German Ministerial Council on Thursday.

“C’est un honneur exceptionnel,” says Merz while going to the press in perfect French. “This is an extraordinary honor.” 1985 received here François Mitterrand Helmut Kohl, in 2020 Macron Angela Merkel was a guest. In summer 2019 he also invited the Russian president when the West spoke to Vladimir Putin.

This time the pictures are off Fort de Brégançon particularly important. They are supposed to show the rest of Europe, Washington and Russia: Here two men stick together who can and want to steer Europe. Whether with or without American support. Like a cloudy castle in the thunderous storm of a messed up world order.

At the end of Merz ‘statement, Macron will briefly put his hand on the German Chancellor. In general, they both adapt a lot. They are friendly gestures, none of dominance. They appear honestly, just like the intimate hug as a greeting.

The relationships had cooled down under Merz ‘predecessor Olaf Scholz. The brittle North German and the elegant foam-foaming Frenchman did not fit. In Merz, on the other hand, Macron found an echo chamber for his visions of a Europe under Franco-German leadership before his chancellorship. The relationships are now “harvested”, says a confidant of Merz.

It is urgently needed. And so Macron and Merz not only exchanges nicats at a dinner in four eyes and open sky, but also advise on how to react together-to the new customs threats from Washington, on Russia’s attack on an EU representative in Kiev and when asked how Europe can finally be done militarily independently of the United States.

The next day the port city of Toulon continues. Again on a fortress. Fort du Cap Brun. Ten ministers have sent each side, it is a mandatory date that can only be tailed with particularly good justification.

Historically, Toulon is a difficult chapter in Franco-German relationships. In November 1942, the French admirality had its Mediterranean fleet sunk here in order to prevent confiscation by the Germans. This time a different signal should come from here.

And so it is a whole series of joint projects that agree Merz, Macron and the Minister on Friday afternoon. This includes:

It is also agreed to permanently strengthen the Ukrainian army, “without limitation in size or skills”, as it is said in the final paper. This is “the best security guarantee,” says Friedrich Merz. Together with Macron, Donald Trump wants to keep the agreement from Washington again, for example for a meeting of Putin-Selenskyj. “The next few days are crucial,” says Macron.

Finally, both shower with kindness. Merz emphasizes that they are major challenges that both countries are facing: “Both of us combine the firm will to manage these challenges together.”

So much entertain, so much German-French consent, was rare. So everything is good in Europe?

Not quite. Because there is still the evil F-word. F like FCAS, what kind of “Future Combat Air System “is. A state-of-the-art air combat system that should be ready to use until 2040. 100-billion-euro-neuro-neuro projects.

Because the situation is done and nothing should cloud the pictures from the south of France, Merz said before the Council of Ministers that it would only be decided in autumn. Behind the scenes it can be heard that the project is no longer excluded.

And there is still a problem. Macron’s government could soon be history. Prime Minister François Bayrou asked the question of trust because of a budget dispute; September 8th should be voted. The majority lack its center-right government. It is quite possible that Macron, who is going on the final phase of his presidency, soon has to form a new government, which was difficult enough last time. Much of what was agreed in the south of France may soon be waste again.