International Journey of Merz Ahead: Bracing for Potential Calamity - Merz embarks on his initial overseas journey.
By Veit Medick+ - 4 Min
When it comes to shaking hands with Emmanuel Macron, expect a firm, sometimes intense grip. Videos of Macron's meetings with former US President Donald Trump show him squeezing his counterpart's hand mercilessly. Friedrich Merz, Germany's new Chancellor, should brace himself for a sturdy welcome.
At 12:15 PM Wednesday, Merz's limousine pulls up at the Élysée Palace. He barely has time to throw on his jacket before Macron kicks off the whole welcome program. They exchange greetings, slap each other on the back, shake hands multiple times - Macron is over-the-moon thrilled to have the German Chancellor in Paris. A solid 10 on the handshake strength scale. Luckily for Merz, he escapes unscathed that afternoon.
Day one on the job, and Merz is diving headfirst into his new role. Paris, Warsaw - his inaugural foreign trip signals his serious intentions towards neighbors, Europe, and the Weimar Triangle, a diplomatic formation that some question its continued existence. Merz promises a "restart" of Germany's role, but it's clear that this reset may not be as significant as marketed during the campaign.
Navigating the treacherous waters of global politics is no easy feat, especially with Trump's trade policies, Putin's ongoing Ukraine war, uncontrolled migration, and Israel's harsh actions in the Gaza Strip. It's crucial to tread carefully to avoid making costly mistakes.
Merz is finding his footing, though it doesn't seem to be a struggle for him. He holds an impromptu meeting on the plane, swiftly summarizing the trip's itinerary to the media for a bite-sized piece of information. Macron is a known quantity due to their coordination during the power transition between Olaf Scholz and Merz.
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The previous day still looms over him. His unceremonious arrival at the Chancellery looked like a crash landing, following his failure in the first round of voting. The mood was grim even among Merz's own team, with some speculating a coalition breakdown - it's still yet to begin. But Merz isn't interested in exuding a sense of crisis; he's focusing on foreign policy while Macron rolls out the red carpet. A conversation, a stroll, a lunch, and, of course, a speech to the media.
"Welcome, dear Friedrich," Macron greets the German Chancellor. They aim to kick-start the "German-French engine" and boost Europe's strength, both internally and externally. Merz praise the collaboration, acknowledging that Europe faces daunting challenges, requiring the continent to become safer, more competitive, and more united. Macron agrees, alluding to potential disagreements but emphasizing cooperation.
Despite the displayed harmony, some tension persists beneath the surface. Economically, the interests of both countries are hardly aligned. Macron protects the French arms industry vigilantly. He appears wary of the proposed swift trade agreement between Europe and the Mercosur countries that Merz is eager to secure.
The Ukraine situation may prove to be a litmus test for both nations. Macron has repeatedly hinted at providing European security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly even mediating a peace agreement using European forces. When asked about the deployment of German troops, Merz circumspectly confirms Germany's reliability, choosing his words carefully. An agreement between Russia and Ukraine must first be reached before any security guarantees can be confirmed.
His predecessor could have scarcely devised a more diplomatic way to avoid answering the question. However, political caution is well-founded in such delicate matters.
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When asked about Germany's potential supply of cruise missiles, similar to France's, Macron responds evasively, stating that they will not discuss individual weapons systems. He jokingly suggests that even the Russian army could hear the response. Merz nods approvingly, seemingly relieved to avoid taking a stance on this issue, having previously urged Olaf Scholz to finally deliver the Taurus.
The afternoon sees Merz returning to the airport for a meeting with Donald Tusk in Warsaw. Without Poland, there's no Weimar Triangle.
Intriguingly, a conversation with Donald Trump is scheduled for the following day. The discussion is likely to be friendly, with Merz stating his desire for the US to stay engaged in NATO affairs. He understands all too well that without the US backing NATO, the political waters may grow even stormier.
- The European Union, commitment evident, is engaged in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, a fact that will likely be considered in light of the firm handshake between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron, as seen in their meeting.
- Macron, known for his strong handshakes, welcomed the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, in Paris during his first foreign trip, both men seemingly ready to navigate the intricacies of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
- The Paris Agreement, Macron's handshake, and the announced foreign policy seem to be front and center in the political briefings upon Friedrich Merz's arrival, with war-and-conflicts, such as the ongoing Ukraine war, posing challenging navigation for both Germany and France.
- Friedrich Merz, in trying to secure a swift trade agreement between Europe and the Mercosur countries, might find opposition from Macron, who protects the French arms industry vigilantly, weighing heavily on the future of this collaboration.
- Amidst delicate negotiations and diplomatic dialogue (with Macron and Trump respectively), Friedrich Merz is cautious and circumspect, seemingly aware of the importance of diplomacy, ensuring that each word carries a calculated impact, as they navigate the complex waters of global politics.
