Elections in Germany: Paris hopes to have "quickly" a "strong" government in Berlin

France expresses a wish for the composition of the future German government after the legislative elections.

She hopes to have "quickly" a "strong" German Chancellor by her side to move Europe forward during her presidency of the European Union (EU) in the first half of 2022, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs said on Monday. .

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"We have a French interest in quickly having a strong German government in place," said Clément Beaune on France 2, while difficult negotiations will begin for the formation of a government coalition in Germany.

The short-headed Social Democrats and the Conservatives are both claiming the leadership of the future government.

In both cases, they will have to rely on other parties to form a majority, the Greens and the Liberals appearing as the future kingmakers.

Both camps hope to form a government by Christmas, just before the start of the French presidency.

Investment, budget and defense among the topics of discussion

Clément Beaune suggested that informal discussions begin “now” with the relevant German political parties “so that we get to know each other” and that we “can work quickly” once a government is in place in Berlin, the German capital. . All are "pro-European committed, assumed", welcomed the French Secretary of State. But they are not necessarily on the same wavelength as Paris on budgetary or defense issues. “There will be differences, sometimes difficulties in the discussion with France in the coming months. "

"It is undoubtedly easier to discuss with the Social Democrats on questions of investment or budgetary rules (...) and easier with the CDU

(Christian Democrats)

on questions of defense and security" , he summed up.

#Elections 🇩🇪 |

“I do not fear a change of line, because the German coalition parties are all pro-European.

We will not agree on everything, but our discussion with these parties must start now, to work together quickly.

»@ France2tv pic.twitter.com/gvZXLppa2H

- Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) September 27, 2021

While waiting for a new chancellor, French President Emmanuel Macron will find himself in a position of strength at European level.

"But in Europe, if you are strong on your own, it doesn't help much because you don't make reforms on investment, on the economy, on energy if you don't have European partners" , noted Clément Beaune.

Emmanuel Macron intends to advance several projects during his French presidency of the EU, from the minimum wage to the regulation of large global digital companies ("Gafa") at European level.