Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleMacron and Merz agreed on a new chapter in Franco-German relations, focusing on joint initiatives and European unity against a potential Trump administration.
BERLIN (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's conservative chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz agreed during a meeting in Paris to open a new chapter in Franco-German relations, a source close to Merz told Reuters.
"There was a great deal of agreement and numerous starting points for joint initiatives," the source said, adding that there had been a friendly atmosphere during their Wednesday meeting at the Elysee Palace.
Macron, who on Tuesday met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, briefed EU leaders on the outcome of the talks earlier on Wednesday.
Merz, whose conservatives came first in a snap election last week, is expected to attempt to form a coalition with the third-placed Social Democrats of Germany's current chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Merz has repreatedly said that Europe must unite in the face of a second Trump administration and must quickly establish an independent defence capability.
(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Writing by Friederike Heine, Editing by Kirsti Knolle)
Macron and Merz agreed to open a new chapter in Franco-German relations, highlighting numerous starting points for joint initiatives.
Merz's conservatives came first in a recent snap election and are expected to form a coalition with the Social Democrats of the current chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Macron briefed EU leaders on the outcome of his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on Wednesday.
Merz has repeatedly stated that Europe must unite in the face of a potential second Trump administration and quickly establish an independent defense capability.
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