By Michael Sauerbier
The Franco-German friendship has awakened from the coma! After the deep crisis between Berlin and Paris, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64, SPD) and President Emmanuel Macron (45) revived their relationship at a dinner in Potsdam.
The heads of state and government walked through the baroque city center tieless with open shirts. From the rebuilt city palace, next to which the chancellor lives, across the Friendship Island Park to the Prussian New Market. Scholz explained the eventful history of his adopted country to the guest. In English – the Chancellor has never learned French, Macron hardly speaks German.
Surprise: No demonstrators along the way, but dozens of fans. Evelyn Haupt (79) had come from Hanover. The retired teacher: “I like Macron’s politics.” She promptly got hold of a series of selfies with the chancellor and the president. Haupt happy: “The trip was worth it.”
A warm hug from Scholz and Macron upon greeting Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa Pool/dpa
Christoph Staudt (61) from Remagen (NRW) ran into Macron by chance, said: “We are on family vacation in Potsdam. I was surprised how down-to-earth and friendly the President is.” Daughter Maren (14): “I shouted ‘Bonjour’ to Macron. He immediately greeted back.”
The aim of the new men’s friends: Potsdam’s only starred restaurant, the “dining room” in the “Gaststätte zur Rats Waage”, since 1783 one of the oldest and most traditional inns. Baroque on the outside, modern on the inside – with “new Prussian cuisine”. On the 6-course menu plan: Beelitz asparagus, Fläminger saddle of venison and rhubarb dessert. Price: 135 euros per nose – without drinks. The treasury pays.
Scholz showed French President Macron his adopted home of Potsdam Photo: Michael Kappeler / POOL / AFP
The political issues at the dining table: secret. One thing is clear: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine was probably the top issue. But also the EU Commission’s proposals for a reform of the debt rules – a particularly contentious point between Germany and France.
It was only on Friday that Scholz called for a reform of the EU at the European party conference of the Brandenburg SPD. Ukraine, Armenia and the Western Balkans would have to be included in the Community. BUT: With soon to be 40 member countries, each one can no longer have a powerful EU commissioner. Scholz: “No government can tolerate 40 ministers.”
Even more important: Europe must finally become a “decisive Union”. That means: “The simple majority of the members should decide on the foreign and tax policy of the EU.” So far, the no “of a single country has brought down every decision.” Sometimes Poland’s Putin friend Viktor Orban blocked, sometimes Macron’s proud “Grande Nation” .
In the evening, Macron sat and Scholz lodged in the starred restaurant ” Dining Room” Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa Pool/dpa
Tough reforms that only Germany and France, as the strongest EU countries, can push through together. But there is no alternative to surviving between the USA, China and Russia. Scholz: “We are fulfilling a task that the others have given us: that this democratic Europe will be a success.”
In the evening, the Chancellor and President were silent about the outcome of the meeting. At around 10:30 p.m., Macron flew back to Paris in the Presidential Airbus.
“Our countries are linked by an inseparable friendship,” said Scholz on Twitter in German and French on Tuesday evening. “Together we are tackling the challenges of these days and of our time.”