Luxembourg – Former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, expressed his hope that the upcoming German federal government will embrace a distinctly pro-European stance. In an interview with the German Press Agency, Juncker emphasized the importance of a strong German-French partnership, noting his expectation for improvements in their relationship during the first half of 2025.
Juncker remarked on a shift in Germany’s traditionally unwavering support for Europe, stating, “It had become accustomed to Germany being counted among the pro-European forces without nuances. That is no longer the case.” He pointed out that recent years have seen Germany struggling to take a definitive position on various issues, often resulting in abstentions when coalition partners couldn’t reach a consensus. “There has been an enormous amount of German abstentions, but abstention is not a stance,” he added.
A Call for Increased Collaboration
Juncker expressed his frustration over Germany’s inability to assert its voice in Brussels, lamenting the lack of clarity from such a major nation. He stated, “That is not a good condition and also not conducive to the respectability and authority of the German expression of opinion.”
He also highlighted concerns in France, where a lack of a governing majority has led to uncertainties regarding effective governance. Juncker stated, “Which is not good, because more joint action by the Germans and the French is needed in Europe to address the current standstill in certain areas.”
According to Juncker, the German reaction to French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiatives for enhanced collaboration has been “rather reserved to meager,” which he believes is detrimental to Europe. He reiterated his desire for improvements in the German-French relationship with the formation of the new German government, emphasizing that his hopes do not depend on political affiliations. “It is enough for me if the next German Chancellor steers a pro-European course.” (November 21)
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