Dr Landry Charrier sheds light on the challenges for Europe after Trump's election victory and analyses Franco-German relations in the context of the current geopolitical situation CASSIS Fellow Dr Landry Charrier on Friedrich Merz and the future of the Franco-German partnership

Dr Landry Charrier sheds light on the challenges for Europe following Trump's election victory and analyses Franco-German relations in the context of the current geopolitical situation. The idea of ‘European sovereignty’, originally promoted by Emmanuel Macron, is often viewed with scepticism in Germany, but has gained in importance, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Charrier emphasises that Europe must survive in a ‘world without America’ and that increased cooperation between the leading European countries is necessary in order to remain capable of acting. Franco-German cooperation could be strengthened through new agreements with Poland and the UK, with Germany playing an important role under a Chancellor Merz. Merz has clearly signalled in his candidacy that he is seeking closer European cooperation and a stronger role for Germany and France in European security and foreign policy, which could contribute to a positive development in Franco-German relations.