As is customary, for his very first trip abroad as German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz chose … France. He is expected this Friday in Paris to meet Emmanuel Macron, just two days after taking the oath.
So far, the “exchanges” between Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz have been limited to social networks.
This meeting, the first between the two men, marks the end of the Angela Merkel era, which will have lasted sixteen years.
It also comes the day after a much-watched press conference by the French Head of State, devoted to Europe.
Expensive @OlafScholz, the continuation, we will write it together. For the French, for the Germans, for the Europeans. See you Friday ! Das nächste Kapitel werden wir zusammen schreiben. Für die Franzosen, für die Deutschen, für die Europäer. Wir sehen uns am Freitag!
– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2021
Wednesday, December 8, Emmanuel Macron welcomed the election of the Social Democrat at the head of the German government. “Dear Olaf Scholz, we will write it together later,” he promised her. For the French, for the Germans, for the Europeans. See you Friday !”.
This visit should allow the two leaders to discuss, in particular, about Ukraine. According to a press release from the Elysee, they will jointly examine “the means to re-engage Russia within the framework of the” Normandy “format”, which designates the diplomatic summit between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine .
Tensions have recently arisen since Washington accuses Moscow of wanting to prepare a military operation in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden has said “strong sanctions” will be taken if this is the case. But his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Poutine, refuses that “the responsibility” is thrown “on the shoulders of Russia”.
After his visit to Paris, Olaf Scholz is expected in Brussels to meet with Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, President of the European Commission and President of the Council respectively. Together, they will get down to preparing for the European summit scheduled for next week.
