Thread by @spornschlegel

First Franco-German Ministerial Council since #AachenTreaty taking place today in Toulouse with #Merkel & #Macron. 🇩🇪🇫🇷 will discuss #Brexit, arms exports & industrial policy before the EU Summit tomorrow. Difficult times for 🇫🇷🇩🇪 relations. /1 (Thread)

Originally the “motor” of integration, 🇩🇪🇫🇷 have had several points of disagreement in the past years. #Macron decided to take action at 🇪🇺 level by himself without waiting for slow 🇩🇪 partner. But the rejection of #Goulard shows the limits of Macron’s (lone) power. /2

🇩🇪🇫🇷 issues are multiple: Both countries have very different visions on core issues such as #budget, #climate & #defence. For instance 🇩🇪 stopped arms export to SA after #Khashoggi , 🇫🇷 didn’t. 🇫🇷 wants to spend more on #MFF, 🇩🇪 part of the “Frugal Five”. /3

Same goes for responses to give to #Google who refuses to implement the EU copyright directive: 🇫🇷 wants a strict response, 🇩🇪 probably cautious of sanctions on Google due to possible negative US response for its car industry & unfavourable public opinion in 🇩🇪 on this topic. /4

Generally good that #Merkel & #Macron try to harmonise positions before “crunch summit” that will mostly focus on #Brexit. However, both countries should seriously think on how they could relaunch the 🇫🇷🇩🇪 partnership in such crucial times for 🇪🇺 /5

For this to happen, 🇩🇪 needs a strategy that goes beyond the #Merkel strategy of “wait & see” & make serious proposals to #Macron. 🇫🇷 needs to give a smart response after the #Goulard rejection to ensure strong #vdL Commission. The end. /6