Tchernega Vladimir Nikolaevich – Sc.D. in law, consultant of the Council of Europe, leading researcher, Department of Europe and America, INION RAS
The articles considers the evolution of the French-German relations in the period after the establishment of the Fifth Republic in France in 1958. In particular, the important role of the Elysée Treaty (January 22, 1963), which drew a line under the whole era of mutual hostility, is noted. France and Germany not only became closer, but progressively became the engine of European integration. At the same time, Germany’s increasing economic strength gave it more confidence in the face of the French partner. But both parties objectively needed an interaction between them in the economic field as well as in the political sphere. All this predetermined a particular dialectic of cooperation and rivalry between them while maintaining the vector of rapprochement and coordination of initiatives in the framework of the European Union. The article shows that over time France became rather «guided» than «leading» country in the French-German «couple». This caused certain frictions and cooling of the relations, namely under President Nicolas Sarkozy. But the processes associated with Brexit, as well as Donald Trump’ coming to power in the USA with his slogan «America First» facilitated a new rapprochement between France and Germany and new joint initiatives in the field of European integration, including issues of the «European defense». In this regard, the final part of the article examines significant shifts in the French-German relations that took place after election of Emmanuel Macron as the President of France in 2017, which led to the restarting of the Franco-German «motor» within the EU.
French-German «couple», cooperation-rivalry, European integration, «European defense».
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