In the French podcast Le Podkast, Senior Policy Fellow Yann Wernert analyses Germany's European positioning under Friedrich Merz and the prospects for Franco-German cooperation.
Senior Policy Fellow Yann Wernert from the Jacques Delors Centre was a guest on the French podcast Le Podkast where he discussed Germany's European positioning under Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the prospects for Franco-German cooperation.
In the episode moderated by Hélène Kohl, titled “L'Allemagne de Merz peut-elle se passer de la France?” (Can Merz's Germany go without France?), Wernert analyses Berlin's strategic orientation one year after the 2025 federal elections. He highlights in particular the continued structural closeness between Paris and Berlin despite visible political tensions.
“Not only are the positions compatible, they overlap on many points,” Wernert explains in the podcast. Both countries continue to pursue the goal of greater European sovereignty, even if differences persist in individual policy areas.
Wernert also assesses Germany's current search for additional European partners. Differences and changing coalitions are nothing unusual in the EU and do not signal the end of the Franco-German friendship. However, it remains crucial that both countries work together where their interests coincide.
Overall, the episode, featunring contributions from Paul Maurice and Yann Wernert, paints a detailed picture of the current Franco-German dynamic.
Click here to listen to the podcast episode.