Publication

This paper looks at French-German cooperation in the face of the eurozone crisis. The election of François Hollande has diminished the appearance of the two states’ exceptional compatibility, so apparent when Sarkozy was in power, and has restored the specific relationship affected by the natural rivalry between two states with divergent economic interests. Nevertheless, the authors argue, both sides are destined to reach a compromise, as neither can attain its goals in the face of the other’s opposition. In the long term, Hollande is likely to maintain a common front with Germany in fighting the crisis, while at the same time trying to limit Berlin’s political and economic superiority.