German political chaos shows France 'needs to take lead in Europe'The Local/AFP, Nov 20, 2017, Ben McPartland
The breakdown in attempts by Angela Merkel to form a government has shown France that is must take the initiative in Europe, the presidency says, but without German backing Emmanuel Macron's ambitious reforms will stay on ice.
France is hoping that Germany will remain a "stable and strong" partner to allow the two partners to "move forward together", the French presidency said after German coalition talks collapsed leaving the country in political turmoil.
The breakdown "only reinforces the need for France to propose, to take the initiative and to work on an ambitious European project that we will put in place with our German partner," a statement from the presidency said.
French president Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Merkel on Sunday, has pushing hard to reform Europe and won backing from Angela Merkel in his bid to shake up the bloc.
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https://www.thelocal.de/20171120/german-political-chaos-shows-need-for-france-to-take-lead-in-europe-elyse
