A few days before the second round of the legislative elections in France and a possible rise to power of the National Rally, German neighbors are closely following French political news. For Germany, France’s main partner, the concern is great.
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From our correspondent in Berlin,
The announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly in France by Emmanuel Macron surprised as much in Berlin as in Paris. Firstly because a dissolution is very complicated legally in Germany. But also because in the country, we are not really used to surprise or spontaneous decisions.
The reactions have since been extremely negative. The contrast is striking after the sympathetic images and the cordial reception ofEmmanuel Macron during his state visit to Germany at the end of May. I didn’t understand this solitary decision at all, “This is a surprise,” wonders the social-democrat deputy Nils Schmid, spokesman for his party for foreign affairs in the Bundestag, which co-leads the Franco-German parliamentary assembly.. I immediately found it quite irresponsible. For me, it was the announcement of a political catastrophe. And now, he is facilitating the access to power of this extreme right. It still casts a shadow over his successes, such as the progress in terms of European integration for example.. »
Sandra Weeser is of the same opinion. This Franco-German is a member of the Liberal Party and a member of the Bundestag. I was really surprised, honestly, I felt like he was a bit of a spoiled child. “.
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Franco-German relations undermined
Whichever government emerges from the ballot box, a difficult period is expected, although the strength of bilateral relations is expected to cushion any potential shocks. This also applies to the many civil society exchanges. Emmanuel Macron remains in power until 2027 and thanks to his skills, I hope that – despite a change of government – things will remain possible. But it will be more difficult. It is important that we continue to reach out to Paris and make proposals regardless of the color of the government. “, insisted the president of the Christian Democratic Party, Friedrich Merz, before the Foreign Press Association on Wednesday, July 3.
Olaf Scholz said he was concerned about the outcome of the French legislative elections Sunday and hoped that a far-right majority would not form in France after the second round of the legislative elections. In front of the SPD parliamentary group, the chancellor declared: ” We are with all the democrats in France. Let us do everything so that together we protect our great and beautiful Europe and do not let the far-right populists dominate it. “.
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A European failure too
Beyond Franco-German relations, it is also the consequences for Europe that are causing concern in Berlin. Indeed, without a harmonious Franco-German couple, Europe will only move forward with difficulty. Emmanuel Macron’s European initiatives have irritated some in Germany, but have also generated enthusiasm. This was the case in the liberal party that sits in the European Parliament with the Renaissance MEPs. MEP Sandra Weeser: ” No, I am not disappointed with Macronism, because Macronism has this vision of a sovereign Europe. In fact, that is all we need to prepare for the future. “.
Social Democrat Nils Schmid is worried about the consequences of an RN victory for France itself but hopes that the French far-right party will be forced to compromise in Europe: ” I am convinced that it will not upset all the European institutions and European decisions in this area. We can very well envisage an evolution at the European level, as we saw with Meloni. “Some people, however, wonder whether Germany should not seek other allies in Europe.