Bavaria and France. Preparing the Future together
France and Bavaria have a longstanding close and solid partnership. However, the relationship between France and Bavaria is not only marked by a common history and by the structures created over the decades.
With its 13 million inhabitants, its internationally oriented economy, and its gross domestic product (GDP) of 630 billion euros, the Free State of Bavaria is a strong region in the heart of Europe.
The challenges of the future are the focus of cooperation today: the digitization of economies, climate change, dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis and the further construction of the European Union. In the future, Bavaria wishes to cooperate even more closely with France in these areas and to launch joint initiatives. The partnership should make it possible to act together within the European Union in the fields of research and innovation as well as technological cooperation.
Florian Hermann is Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Media.
This publication is available the following languages:
- FRENCH: "La Bavière et la France. Préparer l’avenir ensemble" (pdf)
- GERMAN: "Bayern und Frankreich, gemeinsam in die Zukunft" (pdf)
Published in cooperation with the Paris office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesThe “Huawei Saga” in Europe Revisited: German Lessons for the Rollout of 6G
While the European Union attempted to coordinate a collective response through its 5G Toolbox in Europe’s 5G infrastructure, member states diverged significantly in balancing political, economic, and technological considerations. Germany, despite its economic ties to China and status as Europe’s largest telecom market, only reached a tentative agreement in July 2024—one that appears largely symbolic.
France, the U.S. Oldest and Most Complicated Ally: A Stubborn Defender of a Truly European Industrial and Defence Policy
France, the U.S.’ oldest ally, is also the EU country which most stubbornly defends genuinely European industrial and defence policies. It calls for ‘strategic autonomy’ in all political domains, a position increasingly difficult to hold against a hardening international climate.
The Franco-German Brigade and the Revival of European Defense
One thing has been clear since Donald Trump's return to the White House: the very existence of the European unification project is threatened. Unless it develops a sovereign defense policy to counter the war in Ukraine and the weakening of American security guarantees, the European Union will continue to see its internal cohesion and external attractiveness wane.
Friedrich Merz and the Zeitenwende 2.0. A “New Era” for Transatlantic Relations?
On February 23, 2025, almost 60 million voters were called upon to elect a new Bundestag. These elections will also give rise to a new government in Europe's largest economy.