Ischinger: the German-French plan will change the European Union after the pandemic

POLITICO, a former German ambassador to the United States and the United Kingdom and leader of the Munich Security Conference, the world’s largest foreign policy event, said that the revolutionary proposal for the EU to issue a joint issue of securities of Debt of this size in the coming weeks will face resistance. However, he noted that the plan, if approved by the 27 EU member states, could be a catalyst for radical change, including a new EU treaty that highlights the legacy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The chancellor pointed out that in 2021. he will not seek to be reelected.

“The name of the current challenge, the pandemic challenge to the EU’s survival, was not an exaggeration,” Ischinger, who knows international relations well, told POLITICO journalist Florian Eder, head of the Brussels newsletter Playbook. – I think May 18. The events can be described as Emmanuel Macron and Merkel’s endorsement of claims that the situation is dire. We have faced an existential challenge, and such challenges require special measures, which is why this step has been taken. This is an unprecedented case. We have probably entered a new phase in the history of the EU. “

Ischinger hopes that the proposal will drive further changes that can be made during the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, that is. and. Starting July 1, it will allow Berlin to make a significant contribution to the French president’s ambitions to fundamentally change the way the EU works, which so far only recall a beautiful dream.

“May 18 Chancellor Merkel hinted that these actions were only the beginning, that there were more plans. She even mentioned the possibility or the possibility of changing the EU treaty. Frankly, I think the EU needs to take a path of change. Yes the treaty is changed, we have to reshape the EU, redefine its priorities, “said the president of the Munich Security Conference.

He gave an example: the EU must move to a majority foreign policy system in the Council to become a true global power.

“We need the ability to speak with one voice not only on trade and agriculture, but also on foreign and security policy. To achieve this, the European Council will inevitably have to start a debate on the use of majority voting in foreign policy matters. Ischinger said, “It is a real revolution.”

The German diplomat noted that Merkel’s ratings had skyrocketed in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, giving her the opportunity to consolidate her legacy during the remaining year and a half of her last term with a major effort in EU affairs. .

“His chances of securing a major German presidency of the EU Council in the second half of this year and preparing for the future of the EU, in cooperation with France and, hopefully, with other progressive member states, have grown significantly,” Ischinger said. – I think that Chancellor Merkel is very aware that each crisis is an opportunity that cannot be missed. Everything should be done in times of crisis and what would not be possible under normal circumstances, especially given the skepticism of Bundestag members about budget spending. “

Many other topics were discussed during the interview, including the EU’s relations with China and the United States, which are becoming strained for a variety of reasons.

The results of a survey published on Tuesday showed that the opinion of the German population towards both countries is constantly changing. Asked what is more important: Germany’s relations with China or with the United States, 37 percent. Respondents responded that with the United States, 36 percent. – That with China. The survey was commissioned by the German organization Körber-Stiftung by Pew Research Center and Kantar Public.

Ischinger cited the decision of United States President Donald Trump to end the Paris agreement on climate change and the Iran nuclear deal, as well as recent threats to cut funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) , as the reason why the reputation of the United States has deteriorated in the eyes of German citizens.

“As the Trump administration now threatens to withdraw from WHO entirely at a time when the world community is in greater need of the organization than ever before, I do not think it will reassure the Germans and cast doubt on the credibility of the current administration American, “Ischinger said. . He also stressed the importance of keeping in mind that the United States remains a democracy with the same values ​​as the EU, despite the obvious fact that China’s image in Germany has improved.

“Ensuring that people understand that a democratic country, our partner, currently faces some difficulties (I mean, the United States) is one,” he said. “But dealing with a growing superpower like China, which is undemocratic and governed by the Chinese Communist Party, is quite another.”

Ischinger also said that a security conference at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich over the weekend in February, bringing together world leaders, government officials, diplomats and pre-political experts, may need to be adjusted or “watered down” next year based on threats to health. . He added keeping his fingers crossed for the event to take place.
“I hope to have another security conference in Munich next year,” Ischinger hoped. “We will do everything we can to achieve this.”

New German-French “engine”

The talks on a new phase of cooperation between Germany and France were extended on Monday when the countries’ leaders presented an economic recovery program.

Macron and Merkel, whose relationship has been overshadowed by disagreements on a number of important issues, postponed differences of opinion and jointly proposed a $ 500 billion settlement on Monday. a fund to revive the paralyzed economy of the coronavirus pandemic.

This plan is an important step for both countries, as it shows that Germany agrees with the French view that more flexibility is needed to ensure that the whole of Europe, and not just the wealthy countries of the Old Continent, recovers from the crisis.

Under the plan, funds for this fund will be raised through market loans on behalf of the European Union as a whole, and the money will not have to be repaid.

“Love has finally returned,” wrote the German newspaper Die Zeit. “The French and German engines are running again.”

The French newspaper Le Monde adds: “A new French and German beginning for Europe”.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told LCI television: “It is a real electric shock to show that Europe knows how to overcome itself at this time of crisis.”

“This is more than an exceptional case, it is unprecedented. Paris and Berlin agreed on an issue that was indisputable to the Germans a few weeks ago,” said Tara Varma, head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

A true society

However, the success of Paris and Berlin in finding a compromise may not be enough, as the plan must be approved by the 27 members of the Community.

The position of the Netherlands raises sensitive questions, as the Netherlands takes fiscal discipline very seriously. Meanwhile, Austria indicated that it is not satisfied that the initiative is based on grants and not on repayable loans.

Varma said France and Germany needed to find a compromise that would suit the EU as a whole.

“We cannot find ourselves in a situation where it is said: ‘There is a tandem between France and Germany, and the other countries are left behind,'” he said.

Macron’s ecologist, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the Franco-German partnership works best when it is done honestly and not by self-expression.

“We have to take into account our differences of opinion,” said the source.

Relations between France, which was crushed by Hitler in the early stages of World War II, and postwar Germany defined the history of modern Europe.

German chancellors and French leaders have worked together for decades. Examples of such cooperation could be the historically symbolic relationship between post-war leaders Charles de Gaulle and Conrad Adenauer, as well as the relationship between their successors Georges Pompidou and Willy Brandt.

Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl also worked as a united tandem during the collapse of communism, and Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy were simply called Merkozy due to their close media relations.

However, the relationship between Macron and Merkel has not always been smooth.

Ms Macron did not even try to hide the fact that she was upset by Germany’s opposition to greater budget flexibility, and Berlin was dissatisfied with the French leader’s demonstrative dominance on the European political scene.

“Incomplete case”

Even now, analysts warn that it is too early to consider this plan as a historic victory.

French European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin hinted on Tuesday that difficulties may still arise. According to her, eight EU countries have already expressed their support for the plan, but the rest may need to be persuaded to support it.

“We hope that the most frugal countries will overcome selfishness, which does not take place at a time when the extreme situation shows that none of us can advance alone,” he said.

Economist Remi Bourge of the French Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) said the new coherence between Paris and Berlin is not “insignificant”, but remains fragile.

“There are not many important details … and the German government can always use resistance from the Nordic countries,” he said.

Le Monde warned in his editorial: “This is an unfinished business … The French and German ‘locomotive’ will need more energy to overcome negative sentiment in northern Europe.”