The surprising early elections in France have taken many turns, but how will the leftist victory affect France’s relationship with Germany? There is relief, in part, but also an uncertainty that has not been dissipated at the polls.
Although the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed his relieffor him France left turn This weekend, researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations Jacob Ross says that reactions in Germany are mixed.
“Germany is, I think, very concerned by parts of the left coalition if this coalition really reaches the responsibility of government”. Jean-Luc Mélenchonleader of the left-wing France Insumisa party, has expressed very anti-German sentiments in the past, even calling Germany “imperialist.”
Recently, Mélenchon followed the Moscow narrative regarding the Ukraine war, saying that Russia is threatened by NATO and has harshly criticized EU arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Germany is very concerned about economic and financial policyif the left coalition comes to power. France already is very in debt and the left coalition made costly electoral promises, which will probably cause friction within the EU.
“Last year, the new debt represented 5% of the gross domestic product. And many of the electoral promises of this left-wing coalition they will be very expensive. For example, raising the minimum wage and reducing the retirement age to 60 years. And France and Germany must now address these concerns,” Ross added.
But the problems are unlikely to remain at national or EU level, following experts’ predictions that the next US president will be Donald Trump.
Ross said that although the relationship between Germany and France has strengthened after Trump’s first election in 2016, it could be sensitive if a “government is in power in France that is not very connected to the Franco-German relationship.” “. A government in part Eurosceptic and very critical of NATO“.
