How the Franco-German engine is supposed to run without French fuel
On Friday, 29 August 2025, German and French cabinet members gathered in Toulon for the 25th Franco-German Ministerial Council. The meeting was kicked off the evening before with a joint dinner between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron at the latter's summer residence in Fort Brégançon. Since Friedrich Merz took office, Franco-German coordination has gained noticeable momentum, both symbolically and in terms of content. This is an important signal with regard to the numerous challenges both countries are facing. International and European crises such as the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the war in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation in the field of defence are currently shaping relations between Berlin and Paris. The results and announcements of the Council of Ministers have further concretised the coordination of content. At the same time, the meeting comes at a time of political uncertainty in France. The vote of no confidence announced for 8 September, initiated by Prime Minister François Bayrou, will be decisive in determining whether the joint priorities can be implemented in the short and medium term. Time is pressing: forecasts indicate that the political window of opportunity for substantial Franco-German initiatives at the bilateral, European, and international levels could close by the 2027 when French presidential election will take place – but possibly even sooner as a result of early elections.
