France, Germany: Tense Allies

Two recent events attest to the growing political tension between Germany and France. On April 4, French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said France would need more time to cut its deficit. Then on April 5, French President Francois Hollande received Peer Steinbrueck, a member of Germany's main opposition Social Democratic Party and a candidate for chancellor. Some consider the invitation an affront to current German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Hollande's leadership status in Europe has weakened as Merkel's has strengthened. In this context, he is trying to use the German election campaign and ties to the Social Democratic Party to weaken Berlin's push for austerity. France and Germany will likely reach an agreement on France's deficit; Paris and Berlin want to preserve their alliance, and Berlin does not want to see Paris build a wider opposition base. However, considering the popularity of Merkel's approach to the European crisis within Germany and skepticism towards bailouts, fundamental tensions will remain.