14 – Germany and France: Fixing Europe’s Sputtering Engine [Part 1]

BerlinsideOut

In this first of a two-part series, Ben and Aaron take a look at the current dysfunction in what German foreign policy elites often refer to as the country’s most important bilateral relationship – and the “motor” through which Europe either moves or stalls. Guests Jacob Ross and Sylvie Kauffmann talk about the history of the relationship – and how generational shifts in France are seeing the Franco-German pair increasingly at odds over Europe’s future – particularly around future prospects for Ukraine and the role of Central and Eastern Europe.

Guests:

• Sylvie Kauffman, Foreign Affairs Columnist, Le Monde and Author of Blindsided: How Berlin and Paris Left the Path Open to Russia (@SylvieKauffman)
• Jacob Ross, Research Fellow, DGAP (@j_2ross)
• Nicolas Tenzer, Chair, Centre d'étude & de réflexion pour l'Action politique (@NTenzer)

Resources:

• Closing speech by the President of the French Republic, Globesec, 31 May 2023
• Germany and France hold unprecedented cabinet retreat to oil creaky EU motor, Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke
• Les aveuglés: Comment Berlin et Paris ont laissé la voie libre à la Russie (in French), Sylvie Kauffmann
• A New Foundation for Franco-German Friendship, Jacob Ross & Kenny Kremer, IPQ
• The Trouble, the Noise, and the Message: Do the Allies Want to Win the War?, Nicolas Tenzer
• Eurafrica: The Untold History of European Integration and Colonialism, Peo Hansen & Stefan Jonsson, Bloomsbury (2014)
• Emmanuel Macron sur la voie du neo-idealisme (in French), Tomas Gomart, IFRI
• L’ere du Neo-idealisme (in rench), Benjamin Tallis, Le Grand Continent

This podcast is an original production of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). It was created as part of DGAP's Action Group Zeitenwende.

Follow DGAP & the hosts on social media:

Dr. Benjamin Tallis

Aaron Gasch Burnett

DGAP on X

DGAP on Instagram

DGAP on LinkedIn