These Franco-German couples who made history
Following the election of Friedrich Merz as German Chancellor, Emmanuel Macron congratulated him on X. Moreover, the leader of the German conservatives will travel to Paris tomorrow. This is an opportunity to revisit Franco-German relationships since the Second World War.
“ Long live the friendship between France and Germany !” exclaimed General de Gaulle in 1963, at the signing of the Élysée Treaty with Chancellor Adenauer. Eighteen years after the end of the war, the two countries began their reconciliation. But it was with Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and Helmut Schmidt that the Franco-German duo was born. Together, they founded the European Monetary System, the precursor to what would become the Eurozone.
At Verdun, hand in hand, François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl commemorate the First World War. An almost childish gesture that commits to the future. Between the two heads of state, one thing is clear: war between France and Germany is no longer possible. “ War must remain impossible and those who would consider it must be dissuaded ,” declared the French president.
Relations between Gerhard Schröder and Jacques Chirac were more tumultuous. The two men liked each other, but their political differences were profound. The relationship between Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel was also tumultuous. Initially close, the financial crisis ultimately created tension between the two heads of state.
Watch the full report in the video above
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