Paris–Berlin in 2026: What Role for the Franco-German Partnership in a World in Crisis?
Practical information
Accessibility
Themes and regions
Related centers and programs
The Franco-German Day on January 22nd provides an opportunity to reflect on the capabilities and limitations of the Franco-German engine: is it still able to drive Europe forward, or does it need to recalibrate and rethink its ambitions profoundly?
Five months after the Franco-German Ministerial Council of August 29th, 2025, which aimed to reaffirm a common agenda, the political, economic and strategic dynamics that were set in motion are struggling to translate into the bilateral and European agenda.
Beyond symbols and joint declarations, and in a European and international context marked by profound upheavals, despite the numerous points of convergence, there are also areas of friction which now structure Franco-German dialog: industrial and energy cooperation, European defense and transatlantic relations, trade agreements, the European Union’s governance, but also mutual perceptions of public opinion.
Speakers
Sabine Thillaye, Member of the French Parliament, Chair of the France-Germany Friendship Group in the French National Assembly
Sylvie Goulard, former minister and Member of the European Parliament, President of the Franco-German Institute in Ludwigsburg
Michaela Wiegel, Correspondent in France for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Moderation: Dr. Paul Maurice, Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
This event is open to the public and will be held in French on the Zoom platform as part of Franco-German Day.
Contact
Catherine NAIKER
Assistant to the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
Speakers
Our team
Paul MAURICE
Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
External contributor(s)
Sabine THILLAYE, MP, Vice-Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on National Defense and Armed Forces
Sylvie GOULARD, Former Minister and Member of the European Parliament, President of the Franco-German Institute in Ludwigsburg
Michaela WIEGEL, French Correspondent of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Find out more
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.
Related Subjects
Other events
From Ambition to Action: Exploring Technological Partnerships with India
The 16th EU-India Summit, held on January 27th in New Delhi with European leaders António Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a significant milestone in deepening EU-India relations. At the same time, official bilateral visits from EU member states are on the rise, including that of the French President, who visited India in February to participate in the Artificial Intelligence Summit. As India asserts its technological ambitions and seeks to reduce its dependence on China, Europe is stepping up its efforts to diversify its strategic partnerships.
China’s New Five-Year Plan: Accelerated Electrification and Global Clean Tech Export Expansion?
China's energy and clean tech sector developments are continuing to decisively impact the global energy system on the one hand, and to steer the country's economy towards rapid electrification on the other hand.
The Enlargement of the European Union: A Strategic Choice? France, the Western Balkans and the EU in an Uncertain Geopolitical Context
Russia’s war against Ukraine has brought the enlargement of the European Union back to the centre of European strategic debates. In this context, the Western Balkans have regained heightened visibility in discussions on the continent’s security, at a time when the international environment is marked by a growing number of destabilising factors.