“The implementation plan must progress rapidly and vigorously,” Macron stated. “This is crucial for us — it is vital — as it is for Europe.”
Merz emphasized the urgency. “Collaboration between Germany and France is essential when Russia threatens our security, the People’s Republic of China challenges our economy, and the transatlantic partnership is no longer a certainty,” the German leader remarked.
The possibility of France’s next president being from the far-right National Rally has strained Franco-German relations for months.
Last year, EU countries started rushing to finalize a deal on the MFF by the end of 2026, fearing that Le Pen, a Euroskeptic who plans to significantly reduce France’s contributions to the EU budget, might win France’s 2027 presidential elections. Current surveys show Le Pen as the leading candidate.
When questioned about a potential far-right successor overturning the agreements, Macron said “be wary of polls,” referring to his own unexpected win in the presidential race. “Trust the French people. Don’t always predict the worst for them,” he added.
Merz assured that Germany “will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our cooperation with our French neighbors remains as close, deep, and trusting as possible.”
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