CRo Plus: Mission of Reconciliation. Why are relations between France and Germany strained?

The originally scheduled regular meeting between the governments of France and Germany was eventually postponed. Could this be a signal of some major differences in relations between the countries? What are the causes of the contradictions? Are they more personal or political? What impact could it have if Paris and Berlin fail to agree on their position on China? Our senior research fellow Vít Havelka commented on the situation between the countries in the programme Odpolední Plus for Czech Radio Plus.

"Historically, France and Germany's approach to European politics has always been different. It has been the case that if these two countries agree with each other in some way, then the solution suits the entire European Union."

"So there has always been a certain contradiction. The difference is that now, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the energy and security situation has escalated, and these are all things that do not add to the calm."

"At the moment, there is criticism that both France and Germany are looking more at the domestic political scene."

 You can listen to the whole interview (in Czech) here. 

Vít Havelka
Senior Research Fellow

Expertise: EU institutional relations with member states, europeisation, transformation role of EU