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Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on November 3, 2021 in Beaune in Burgundy.
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
The outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel was received by President Emmanuel Macron and a cheering crowd on her farewell visit to France in Burgundy. "Vive Mutti" (long live Mutti) shouted by onlookers when Merkel walked through the city center with Macron in Beaune on Wednesday evening. Together with their spouses, they then wanted to visit a hospital foundation before they retreat to an estate in the wine region for music and food.
At the meeting, Macron also wanted to present the Executive Chancellor with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France - and Merkel's predecessors were honored accordingly. Macron and Merkel wanted to exchange ideas personally and talk about international issues. During a reception, both should also be accepted into the Burgundian Brotherhood of Tastevin, which is committed to preserving the traditions of Burgundy.
As the Élysée Palace announced, the visit marks the end of a fruitful collaboration between the President and the Chancellor, both for Franco-German cooperation and at European level. Macron chose Burgundy for the meeting because of its rich French heritage , both in the form of historical monuments and viticulture.
For Merkel, Macron is the fourth French president with whom she has worked closely.
For Macron, Merkel was initially a big brake on the brakes - and in the end she was the determined chancellor who, together with him, paved the way for the EU's 750 billion euro reconstruction package.
Merkel's designated successor, Olaf Scholz, met Macron in the Élysée Palace in September.
jso / dpa / AFP
