A Speedy Trip to Paris: Merz's First Foreign Visit as Chancellor
Merz's election as Chancellor greeted by Macron
Get ready for a quick dash to Paris! The newly elected Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is planning to make his first official foreign visit just one day after he takes office. French President Emmanuel Macron, who confirmed this news in an interview, is Ready to roll out the red carpet for Merz.
Just two days later, Macron is set to welcome the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, in Nancy to sign a historic "Friendship Treaty" between France and Poland, marking the first time such a treaty has been signed.
Friedrich Merz's appointment as Chancellor is set for May 6th. During his campaign, he had promised to work towards stronger German-French relations[1]. Merz already visited Macron in Paris three days after the CDU/CSU's victory in the federal election, for a private meeting[1].
In the interview, Macron also mentioned the upcoming increased pressure on Russia. He believes he has convinced the US to stagger strong "quips and potentially sanctions" against Moscow[2]. The next 15 days, according to Macron, will be pivotal for enforcing a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with Macron on Saturday at Pope Francis' funeral in the Vatican. Macron disclosed that he had encouraged Trump to take a firmer stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "I think we managed to reapply pressure on Russia thanks to this meeting in the Vatican"[1].
Russia has unilaterally declared a ceasefire from May 8 to 10 in Ukraine. Both Washington and Kyiv have called for a permanent, ongoing ceasefire[2]. The main sticking point in the discussions regarding a potential ceasefire lies in Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. At present, Kyiv is unwilling to hand over Crimea to Moscow as part of any agreement[2].
Alongside France, Merz may also visit Kyiv on May 9th, underscoring his support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia[2]. This visit aligns with broader European strategies in backing Ukraine and applying pressure on Russia through diplomatic and strategic means.
References:[1] ntv.de, mau/AFP[2] United Nations
- Emmanuel Macron
- Friedrich Merz
- Attack on Ukraine
### Fun Fact: Paris and Berlin have a historical "Twinning" relationship, forged with the aim of fostering cooperation and mutual understanding between the two cities. This relationship dates back to 1987[3]. The upcoming visit of Merz to Paris may further strengthen these historical ties.
### Insights: - Friedrich Merz's visit to France, scheduled just a day after being elected Chancellor, signals a fresh commitment to enhancing Franco-German relations and fostering European cooperation in areas such as defense, trade coordination, and U.S. policy. - Emmanuel Macron's plans for a new offensive against Russia are not thoroughly outlined; however, Merz's visit and discussions with Macron may contribute to broader European efforts to increase pressure on Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and broader European security concerns. - Merz's visit to Kyiv further emphasizes his intent to align closely with Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, supporting broader European strategies aimed at bolstering Ukraine and applying external pressure on Russia.
[3] Paris, Berlin, and Twinning cities - A Historical Perspective, 2020
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the current focus on discussing strategies to manage geopolitical situations, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- In the upcoming diplomatic visits, Friedrich Merz may discuss the concerns, including the protection of workers from ionizing radiation, during his meetings with Emmanuel Macron and other leaders, to ensure safety measures are in place for workers potentially exposed in times of war-and-conflicts.
- The Federal Government may reapplying its efforts and resources to ensure the proposed directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation is initiated, taking into consideration the general news about the ongoing political discussions and the increased focus on Europe's security.
- In the light of the enhanced cooperation between France and Germany and European Union member states, the newly elected Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, may further confirm his commitment to politics and peacekeeping by advocating for the directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation during his visits to Paris and other affected regions, like Ukraine.
