“The tensions between Scholz and Macron come at an absolutely inopportune time and harm the people of Europe,” says Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party. Cooperation between the two countries is fundamental for the EU. The CSU European politician sees mistakes on the German side.
The head of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, warns of damage to the European Union in the midst of the crisis triggered by the Ukraine war in view of the recent political disagreements between Germany and France. “The tensions between Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron come at an absolutely inopportune time and harm the people of Europe,” said the CSU European politician of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “The Franco-German axis is fundamental for Europe,” emphasized Weber.
The two sides should not move away from each other for a moment while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is fundamentally challenging the EU with the war of aggression against Ukraine, the EPP leader warned after few details emerged from the recent talks between Scholz and Macron.
Weber also blamed the German side for the recent tensions with EU countries such as France and Poland: “The federal government hardly coordinates its policy with its European friends and does not explain it either,” criticized the CSU politician. “The initial reluctance to deliver arms to Ukraine destroyed a lot of confidence in Central and Eastern Europe,” he said. “Even with the 200 billion package against the energy crisis, the federal government did not coordinate with the Commission or with the neighbors beforehand.”
Chancellor Scholz also failed to involve France in the planned anti-missile shield. “All these examples show the lack of will on the part of the federal government to coordinate and at least explain its actions,” criticized Weber. France is also moving away from Franco-German cooperation, Weber criticized. “Emmanuel Macron is currently building new axes, but Germany must not be isolated in the EU,” warned the EPP leader, referring to the recent meeting of the French presidents with the new Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Weber appealed to the Berlin coalition to focus more on European interests in their policies. “The traffic light is too self-centered and has to go back to the partnership,” warned the CSU politician.
