Germany news: Merz, Macron plan closer nuclear cooperation

Lead

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have taken steps to deepen Franco-German cooperation, including agreeing to German participation in a French nuclear exercise for the first time. The announcements came during a series of meetings that culminated in a high-profile display of unity, even as France's political future remains uncertain ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Merz promised to "extend a hand" to the next French president, and both leaders stressed the importance of maintaining close ties regardless of the election outcome, according to Deutsche Welle.

Coverage Comparison

Deutsche Welle reported extensively on the recent Franco-German consultations, highlighting both the symbolic gestures of unity and the underlying differences between the two countries. The outlet noted that the partnership reached "a real high point" with several joint ministerial meetings and four meetings between Merz and Macron, including the chancellor's participation in France's National Day parade on July 14.

According to Deutsche Welle, German government spokesperson Steffen Meyer dismissed speculation about a cooling of relations, saying, "There is absolutely no question of a cooling of relations; on the contrary, the relationship is very good." However, Stefan Seidendorf, deputy director of the German-French Institute in Ludwigsburg, offered a more cautious view, stating that "there are indeed very significant differences between France and Germany and that this cooperation is not a sure thing — rather, it requires hard work."

The coverage also noted that the venue for Friday's meeting—Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, where Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer laid the foundation for the partnership in 1962—was symbolic of the historical significance of the relationship.

Key Claims

Nuclear Cooperation

A central element of the recent talks was the agreement for Germany to participate in a French nuclear exercise for the first time. The decision was made during a session of the German-French Defense and Security Council at Nörvenich Air Base near Cologne, according to Deutsche Welle. The report suggests that Berlin's growing concern about the reliability of US nuclear protection has prompted this unprecedented step.

FCAS Fighter Jet Project Scrapped

Deutsche Welle reported that the FCAS fighter jet project has been officially scrapped, though the article did not provide further details on the implications for European defense cooperation.

French Presidential Election Outlook

France is expected to hold the first round of presidential elections in April 2027, with President Macron ineligible to run due to term limits. Recent opinion polls show far-right politician Marine Le Pen as the most popular candidate. Le Pen has previously called for an end to French military cooperation with Germany.

In response to election speculation, Macron said, "Beware of the polls. Trust the French people, don't always predict the worst for them."

Le Pen was convicted of embezzling EU funds in 2025 and was banned from holding public office, but an appeals court lifted that ban earlier this month while upholding the conviction. Le Pen has vowed to run for the presidency while wearing an ankle tag.

Perspectives

German government

Chancellor Merz emphasized the continuity of cooperation, stating, "We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that this cooperation with our French neighbors remains as close, as deep and as trusting as possible, regardless of how voters in France decide." His spokesperson rejected any notion of strained relations.

French government

President Macron, who defeated Le Pen in the 2017 and 2022 elections, expressed confidence in the French electorate and downplayed the significance of opinion polls.

Expert analysis

Stefan Seidendorf of the German-French Institute cautioned that significant differences persist between France and Germany, particularly in energy policy—Germany's nuclear phase-out versus France's pro-nuclear stance—and European fiscal policy, suggesting that cooperation requires sustained effort.

Marine Le Pen's position

Marine Le Pen, as reported by Deutsche Welle, has called for an end to French military cooperation with Germany, a stance that could potentially reshape the bilateral relationship if she were to win the presidency.