French President Emmanuel Macron and his German counterpart Olaf Scholz meet today in Brussels to discuss climate plans. Germany and France are currently in disagreement on tightening European energy and climate policy. An agreement was previously reached on the role of nuclear energy and a ban on the sale of cars powered by fossil fuels, but now Germany is blocking it.
“Scholz will explain that German internal affairs are by definition always European, and that Macron should certainly be aware of this,” German correspondent Derk Marseille glances ahead. According to him, Scholz also brings good news: ‘He can add right away that there seems to be an agreement in the German government between the FDP, the Greens and the SPD. So that’s actually immediately out of the way in the conversation.’
Despite this good news, according to Marseille, what is happening within the German coalition is becoming a growing problem within the European Union. He is restless even in Germany itself. «This morning twenty trade unions and employers’ associations continue to protest Image about the undemocratic way the government operates. Things are rumbling in all kinds of branches of German industrial policy, and Scholz will of course also consider this at such an EU summit when it comes to climate.’
“We have to work hard to build trust. This will not sit well with Scholz in those conversations with Macron
To trust
The meeting between Macron and Scholz is “extremely important,” Marseille said. “When they meet, it’s about the future of the European Union.” An important topic of discussion will be nuclear energy, which France sees completely differently from Germany. But we will also talk about electric cars, for example. “China and America must be taken into consideration. How China deals with electric cars largely determines the prosperity of Germany and its auto industry. These are topics that ultimately matter in Europe and on which the Netherlands is also extremely dependent.’
Macron and Scholz have to agree together on such matters, and it doesn’t help that there is major disagreement within the German coalition. Marseille: ‘This goes beyond a substantial difference of opinion, we have to work hard to build trust. This will not sit well with Scholz in those conversations with Macron.’
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
