Merzcron: The new drive of the EU by France and Germany

Merzcron: The new drive of the EU by France and Germany

The interlocked hands of the French and German leaders have long been for the spirit of European unity. The picture from 1984 is particularly well known when François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl performed hand in Verdun to set a sign of reconciliation.

The new beginning of Franco-German cooperation

When Chancellor Friedrich Merz took the hand of President Emmanuel Macron on the stages of the Élysée-Palast-a moment that was warm-hearted and accompanied by warm shoulder tapsters-the Not just a photo opportunity .

a strong signal for Europe

It was the clearest sign that the most important alliance in Europe is back in motion. After years of punching and frustration under Olaf Scholz, the Franco-German engine comes back into running and now bears the name: Merzcron.

regular meetings and common goals

Since Merz 'choice, the two have already found six times-most recently with other NAGO leaders in the Hague . On Thursday they will come together again at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

focus on safety and stability

Common goal is to promote the European answer to security, the Situation in Ukraine and uncertainties from the Trump era and to design the role of Europe on the global stage.

vision for a strong European defense

Macron and Merz outlined in the run-up to the NATO summit in a joint opinion article in the Financial Times. They emphasized: "In these challenging times, Germany and France - together with our European and transatlantic friends and allies - are united and strongly there to defend our common values as well as the freedom and security of our citizens."

strengthening the defense spending

You outlined plans to increase defense spending - with the aim of achieving 3.5 % of GDP in fundamental military investments - and demanding a deeper cooperation between NATO and the EU. They also advocated a stronger, sovereign Europe that is no longer dependent on others for its security. They assured that Ukraine will emerge "wealthy, robust and safe" and warned that European stability is on the brink for decades.

a new influence with 'Merzcron'

The signs stand for the fact that the mighty alliance "Mercron" or "Merkozy", a word game from the names of the former Chancellor Angela Merkel, Macron and his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, developed into an equally influential "Merzcron".

historical meeting in Brussels

The two-day summit of the European Council, which follows directly on a G7 meeting in Canada and the NATO summit in the Hague, is the first under Merz 'chancellorship. It will probably be another demonstration for how strong this Union could be.

Expert estimate for the Franco-German partnership

CNN spoke to two advocates of the Franco-German partnership-the former French President François Hollande, who worked closely with Merkel, and Wolfgang Ischinger, a former German State Secretary who was once described as Europe's best networked diplomat. They assessed the scope of this cooperation for Europe and the world.