Scholz receives Macron: Germany and France clarify their Ukraine course

Created: 05/09/2022, 17:02

By: Andreas Schmid

French President Emmanuel Macron (l) receives Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) at the Palace in Versailles in March.

Now Macron is going to Berlin.

© Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Olaf Scholz receives Emmanuel Macron.

In Berlin, the heads of government of Germany and France discuss Ukraine policy.

All information in the news ticker.

• Election winner

  : Emmanuel Macron was recently confirmed as France's president.

• Trip to Germany

  : Macron's first visit abroad takes him to Berlin.

• Scholz talk

  : Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz give a joint press conference at around 6:25 p.m.

• This

  news ticker on Emmanuel Macron's inaugural visit to Berlin

  is continuously updated.

Berlin - Olaf Scholz's first foreign visit as Chancellor led to France to President Emmanuel Macron.

A sign of Franco-German friendship, as Scholz said.

Now, a few weeks after the presidential election in France, Macron is coming to Berlin.

However, the meeting is now all about the Ukraine war – especially as Russia's President Vladimir Putin gave a speech on the Russian day of remembrance on the victory over the German National Socialists that was awaited with concern on Monday.

Scholz had already made combative statements towards Russia the evening before.

It is about underlining “the strength of the Franco-German partnership”, the Elysée Palace explained in advance.

The focus is also on the escalated Ukraine conflict.

France and Germany agree on sanctions against Russia.

Weapons deliveries could also become an issue.

Macron at Scholz: In a runoff election for President

Macron was re-elected President of France in April.

However, the election was not a clear confirmation in office.

It was no surprise that Macron went into the runoff against right-wing populist Marine Le Pen.

In France, an absolute majority is required to be elected president.

This majority has never been achieved in France in the first ballot.

So Macron also had to face a second ballot.

Ultimately, the 44-year-old prevailed with 58.54 percent of the votes.

According to surveys, many French people only chose the “lesser evil” from their point of view.

Macron's cross was apparently less a vote for the President and more a vote against Le Pen. Based on the total number of all votes, Macron got a weak result.

Taking into account turnout, blank votes and invalid votes, only 38.52 percent of all registered voters voted for the Liberal.

Since the founding of the fifth French Republic in 1958, only the conservative Georges Pompidou has been put into office with a smaller share of the vote.

Macron at Scholz: Germany and France declare Ukraine-Russia course

In Germany, however, the election was seen as a success.

Scholz spoke of an important sign for the entire European Union.

Scholz was the first foreign head of government to call Macron and, in an unusual step, together with the heads of government in Spain and Portugal, called on the French to re-elect Macron.

Shortly before meeting Macron, Scholz defended arms deliveries to Ukraine.

"Putin leaves us no other choice," said the SPD politician on Monday at the DGB federal congress in Berlin.

The Russian President has jeopardized peace in Europe.

"And he can't get away with that.

That's why we're helping Ukraine.” During a video call with China's President Xi, also on Monday, there was apparently a crunch.

A joint press conference is planned at around 6:25 p.m.

We keep you up to date on all important events in this news ticker.