A Franco-German “Reset”? The Ambitions of the Franco-German Council of Ministers. Challenges of Joint Leadership in Europe
As a Catholic from the Rhineland, Friedrich Merz is heir to the CDU’s Franco-German policy, from Konrad Adenauer to Helmut Kohl and Wolfgang Schäuble. While Franco-German rhetoric and reflexes are deeply ingrained in him, their results must nevertheless be put into perspective.
The French President and the German Chancellor have met on numerous occasions since the February 2025 elections and Friedrich Merz’s election as Chancellor and seem to like each other. But will this “chemistry” be enough to meet the challenges of the Franco-German “reset” and its vital stakes for Europe? Are the stated ambitions of the Franco-German Council of Ministers, which is being held in Toulon on August 29, the first for the government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, an opportunity to “reset Franco-German relations for Europe”? In the current context, the Franco-German Council of Ministers must rise to this challenge by adopting clear, concrete, and understandable roadmaps that will enable a realistic approach to key issues, whether in defence and the defence industry – particularly with regard to the follow-up to the programs for the aircraft and tank of the future, FCAS and MGCS – energy, trade, and European competitiveness.
Paul Maurice is Secretary General of The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) at Ifri, where he focuses on German domestic policy, Franco-German relations within the European Union, and German foreign and security policy.
This publication is available in French (pdf): "Relancer le partenariat franco-allemand ? Les ambitions du Conseil des ministres franco-allemand - Enjeux d’un leadership conjoint en Europe".
Available in:
Themes and regions
DOI
Ifri Editorials
Share
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
A Franco-German “Reset”? The Ambitions of the Franco-German Council of Ministers. Challenges of Joint Leadership in Europe
Paul MAURICE
Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
Franco-German Relations Through the Lens of Donald Trump’s Second Term: Between Strategic Realignments, European Sovereignty, and the Enduring Transatlantic Bond
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency of the United States in 2025 acts as a powerful catalyst for the Franco-German relationship. Faced with growing uncertainty over the reliability of US security guarantees, Germany, more directly affected by the questioning of the transatlantic relationship, is gradually moving closer to the French position in favor of strengthening European strategic sovereignty.
MAGA and AfD: Toward a Transatlantic Alliance of Nationalist Right-Wing Parties
The rapprochement between Donald Trump’s MAGA movement and Germany’s AfD has accelerated significantly since Trump’s return to the White House.
VW, Mercedes, and BMW in the Face of Donald Trump—A Tightrope Walk Between Investing in the U.S., Maintaining Operations in Europe, and Catching Up in Electric Mobility
The German automotive industry faces a threefold challenge: competition from China; a difficult transition to electric vehicles; and US tariffs.
A Partnership Built on Security: Post-Brexit Rapprochement between Germany and the United Kingdom
Since the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK-German relations have undergone a remarkable transformation: from Berlin’s deliberate distancing from London during the Brexit negotiations, when Germany consistently prioritised EU-27 unity over bilateral arrangements, to a gradual rapprochement, culminating, for the time being, in the 2025 Kensington Treaty of Friendship.