German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, l) goes to dinner with Emmanuel Macron, President of France. © Michael Kappeler/dpa Pool/dpa
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has received French President Emmanuel Macron on friendly terms in Potsdam. The two not only went out to eat together on Tuesday: Scholz showed Macron the center of Brandenburg's capital during a surprisingly long walk. Both met at the Old Market, sat down in the café of the Museum Barberini and also walked across the Friendship Island, a nearby park.
Potsdam - This is the first time in his one-and-a-half years as Chancellor that the Chancellor has received a head of state or government at his place of residence.
More than 50 people stood at the Neuer Markt and watched Scholz and Macron as they went to the restaurant "Kochzimmer" for a one-on-one conversation - some residents watched from their windows. The meeting was not entirely private: the delegations of both countries were also present, but Scholz and Macron sat at a separate table. It was considered likely that both spoke about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, but also about European issues. There had been a crunch in german-French relations last year, so the working lunch was also about a good atmosphere.
From 2 to 4 July, the French head of state will pay a state visit to Germany at the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Dpa
