60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty: Time for More Democracy!
On the 60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, the harmony of Franco-German relations seems to be at rock bottom. A comment and appeal by Philipp Saueracker.
This is the second guest post from Philipp Saueracker on the Beubble. I would like to warmly thank him once again for taking the time to write this analysis of the French-German relationship at a crucial time for both countries. More on Phillipp below.
"More pressure from below is needed" – I recently read this headline in a german newspaper, a quote from Greta Thunberg on climate protection. It could not be more aptly applied to the current state of Franco-German relations.
Marital problems for a good six years
In recent months, one could read and hear a lot about the current disagreements between the German and French governments.
Important ministerial meetings were canceled or postponed because there were too different positions on various issues and they could not or did not want to come closer. If we are honest, however, the marital problems started six years ago.
Back to 2017, a year that saw both the presidential election in France and a general election in Germany. The election of Emmanuel Macron as President of the French Republic was a relief for France’s allies. Far-right Marine Le Pen would not lead the nation, the liberal mindset of the young President was closer to the German mentality than his predecessor, socialist François Hollande. Another feat of Emmanuel Macron was to lead a pro-European campaign on a national level, effectively bridging national issues to European ones for the first time in France.
On the other side of the Rhine, however, Germany was in total apathy. Europe hardly featured in the election campaign, despite the alternative to an aging Angela Merkel being a former European Parliament President: Martin Schulz. Schulz badly lost to Angela Merkel, without much of a fight. This was only the beginning of a slow, underwater tectonic shift.
In France, Emmanuel Macron put an ambitious vision for the future of Europe on the table, with concrete reform proposals. He repeatedly asked Germany for support.
But Angela Merkel, with her more conservative approach, did not deem it necessary, or useful, to help. In fact, I’d argue that Germany’s acceptance of Emmanuel Macron’s idea for a Europe-wide reconstruction fund after the COVID crisis is only a footnote in a decade of cold-feet policy.
Then comes Chancellor Scholz
With Merkel's departure in 2021, many also hoped for a new dawn in the French-German relationship.
Angela Merkel, the longest-lasting European leader of the last 20 years, had earned a great deal of respect among her counterparts. She held the community together in critical situations and showed leadership in times of crisis.
Olaf Scholz did not have this experience. In fact, it seems that Olaf Scholz does not want to lead because he is afraid of the consequences of his choices. When the new chancellor gave his inspired European speech in Prague last summer, I first thought it was a positive sign. He tried to copy Emmanuel Macron's Sorbonne declaration and hinted at some reform proposals that would certainly not have come out of his predecessor’s mouth.
To my disappointment, it remained nice announcements, fancy words thrown out in a fancy hall. Nothing further happened. No further understanding with Germany’s number one ally in Europe, and no public efforts to tackle the most important issues soon. I would guess that Chancellor Scholz's speechwriter would be a better leader than him: at least had the courage to put these words in his mouth.
Not to say that the French government is doing everything right either. But when the German government withheld information about a foreseen 200 billion stimulus package until the very last moment shows where the Chancellor’s priorities are: Germany first, Europe second. the largest and economically strongest country in the EU, which should be thinking much more European out of self-interest. This policy is disastrous, even for Germany itself. How will the country regain the trust of its European partners?
Germany, what's wrong with you?
Germany, the land of poets and thinkers, the land of innovations, of incredible economic recovery, the land of social democracy, what happened to you? Where have your passions and ambitions gone?
23 years ago, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder had ambitious plans for Europe. At the time, however, his French counterpart Jacques Chirac was the one to stop his initiatives. Since then, Germany lost all ambitions for Europe.
Olaf Scholz has the ambition–or at least the words–for European reforms. He has, in Emmanuel Macron, a convinced pro-European ally. As crises are piling up in Europe, now would be a good time to work on this.
More pressure from below is needed
If the decision-makers are not able to move forward, the pressure does not seem to be great enough. It's time for more democracy.
I turn to you, dear readers of this newsletter. We need to talk more about Europe to our families, friends, and colleagues. In view of the 2024 European elections, we must help them form their opinion on Europe. The more citizens are informed, the better their votes will be reflected in elections and thus exert pressure at the very top.
With this, I hope it incentivises our leaders to make the right choice, to move Europe forward.
Philipp Saueracker is a french-german political analyst. His area of expertise includes European Integration, franco-german relations, EU policymaking, democratic and party developments. He is currently working at the Brussels Office of a German economic think tank. You can follow Philipp on LinkedIn.