Germany Confronted with the European Union under Nicolas Sarkozy's Rule: Good and Bad Fortunes in Relaunching the European Union
Feeling prevails in Germany that the trend of the French european policy will depend much upon the success of its internal social and economic reforms.
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The “comeback” of France to the European Union has long been awaited by Germany. The role played by Nicolas Sarkozy in the final negotiations about the Lisbon Treaty seemed a good omen. But for Berlin, some doubts remain: does Paris intend to be a reliable partner, or will it be a “free rider”? There are also some unanswered questions left: will France finally undertake the much needed economic reforms ? Will it accept that its project for the Mediterranean countries fully adhere to the European Union approach ?
Claire Demesmay is a researcher at the Comité d'études des relations franco-allemandes (Ifri, France) and head of the research project 'La France et l'Allemagne face aux crises européennes' (France and Germany facing european crises) in association with the Zentrum für Europaïsche Integrationsforschung (Bonn).
