Search on Ifri.org

About Ifri

Frequent searches

Suggestions

Taking the Pulse: Does France's Political Crisis Weaken Europe's Geopolitical Hand?

External Publications External Articles
|
Date de publication
|
Accroche

While the EU tries to navigate a myriad international challenges, France is experiencing historic political disarray. What impact will instability in Paris have on Europe's geostrategic capacity?

Image principale
Le président français Emmanuel Macron lors d'une visite officielle en République de Moldavie, Chisinau - 27 août 2025
Le président français Emmanuel Macron lors d'une visite officielle en République de Moldavie, Chisinau - 27 août 2025
Victor Mogyldea/Shutterstock
Table of contents
Table of contents
body
  • Contribution of Paul Maurice, Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations, Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI).

The French political crisis weakens the EU's strategic cohesion as it disrupts the Franco-German relationship, recently revitalized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Franco-German Council of Ministers held in Toulon at the end of August set in motion numerous concrete projects for the future of Europe and its geopolitical priorities: security, defense, energy, enlargement, and strategic autonomy. Yet paralysis in Paris deprives Berlin of a partner capable of making decisive strategic choices.

Facing the war in Ukraine, an aggressive Russia, an assertive China, and a less reliable United States, Europe needs a functional Franco-German partnership to maintain a coherent diplomatic line. Without political stability in Paris, joint initiatives—such as the Franco-German Defense and Security Council or major European industrial programs (including the Future Combat Air System and Main Ground Combat System)—risk stagnating.

Berlin could find itself compelled to act alone or seek other alliances, thereby weakening the EU's collective ability to speak with one voice.

[...]

Decoration

Available in:

Share

Decoration
Author(s)
Photo
paul_couleur_1.jpg

Paul MAURICE

Intitulé du poste
Image principale
The Pariser Platz (Paris Square) on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate at Berlin, Germany
The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
Accroche centre

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.

Securing critical raw material (CRM) value chains – a prerequisite for Europe’s technological resilience

Date de publication
22 October 2025
Accroche

At the heart of economic security, technological resilience is a backbone of the European Union’s (EU) competitiveness. The EU’s energy and digital transitions depend on critical raw materials (CRM).

Marie KRPATA Stefan STEINICKE

Reconciling competitiveness and demographic change: a Franco-German imperative

Date de publication
16 October 2025
Accroche

France and Germany are facing parallel demographic shifts that could reshape the future of their economies and their social models. These shifts reflect broader European patterns but are magnified by the central role both nations play in EU governance and competitiveness.

Jeanette SÜß Kevin GENNA
Image principale

Imaginary and Reality of the Franco-German border: a Laboratory for Europe of tomorrow

Date de publication
16 September 2025
Accroche

In Europe, the question of borders is a central issue. According to the European Parliament, border regions cover around 40% of the European Union (EU) territory, concentrate 30% of its population and produce nearly a third of its gross domestic product. 

Claire DEMESMAY, Visiting professor, Alfred Grosser Research Chair, Sciences Po
Image principale

A Franco-German “Reset”? The Ambitions of the Franco-German Council of Ministers. Challenges of Joint Leadership in Europe

Date de publication
27 August 2025
Accroche

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.

Page image credits
Le président français Emmanuel Macron lors d'une visite officielle en République de Moldavie, Chisinau - 27 août 2025
Victor Mogyldea/Shutterstock

How can this study be cited?

Taking the Pulse: Does France's Political Crisis Weaken Europe's Geopolitical Hand?, from Ifri by
Copy