Paris and Berlin say that there is a middle way

The President of the Republic expects that the German elections on Sunday are passed to propose to conclude a new Franco-German Treaty to the image of the signed at the Elysee Palace on January 22, 1963 by General de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Until these days, Angela Merkel (CDU) seemed to be winning, but the outcome is now more uncertain, especially for whether it will make alliance with the Liberals (FDP), as she wishes. The worst would, for the Germany, for Europe, for the France, the RFA falls in the ungovernability. In these times of upheaval, it must be United and determined Governments. However, for projects Elysian, that the Christian democratic right it que la droite chrétienne-démocrate l' emporte prevail or whether the left social democratic (SPD) should not change fundamentally. In the past, the couple bore to have two opposite colors on both sides of the Rhine (Schmidt-Giscard, Mitterrand-Kohl). One can even think that French policy is closer to that that would lead a SPD Chancellor, or rather that it would be less contrary. This is the question: on what stones to build a new Treaty That still have in common the two countries

The Merkel-Sarkozy reconciliation during the crisis, the struggle against the bonus and tax havens seem to draw the line: we want Paris to Berlin a Rhenish capitalism. Now that the anglo-saxon model has the lead in the wing, the future is again on an economy regulated by the States, where industry and the social question depend. This approximation also focuses on issues of foreign policy (Iran, Afghanistan, Middle East, common defence) and, since Nicolas Sarkozy, on policy towards the United States. Exception, but consistent: driving to hold out against the Russian bear, the Germany playing his song (energy) solo.

Can we go further Yes. There are two issues on which an agreement is necessary and possible. First the IMF, whose reform structures is insufficient. A better place should be given to emerging countries, Europe must strengthen its ranks, France and Germany must show the way, for example by adopting a common representative. This would mean in the eyes of the world that we have the same idea of the financial and monetary international, well beyond the bonus.

The second issue is considerable: Europe. There is a common will to Paris and Berlin: break with ultraliberalism of a Commission "fell into the hands of the English". From agriculture to industry, the declination is vast, on competition, public aid, on the liberalisation of markets, etc. Considerable, the subject is also very dangerous if it led to the return of national egoisms, as is the case for the takeover of Opel. Paris and Berlin say that there is a middle way. They must be explained.

Specifically, the problem is that the two countries do not have the same idea of the middle way. Behind the appearances, the German "Ordnungspolitik" diverges radically in French (1) welfare state. In France, the State rule problems. In Germany, the State is the rules which the social partners agree on the problems. This is very different.

If the SPD WINS, the policy will be protectionist and more industrializing. If the CDU won with the FDP, priority will be given to a decline in taxes. But in both cases, the Germany will continue the path on which advance ten years: the restoration of its competitiveness. The German double objective is the trade surplus and fiscal balance. The France, by contrast, is verbose, it accumulates a double deficit, trade and budget, the latter having "exploded" with the crisis.

A new Treaty of the Elysee Palace would be a ripolinage if the two countries is not to be explained not on the merits: on the Russia on industrial nationalism, on the degree of liberalism and, first, on macroeconomic policy. Could a common to the two Government Minister plumber truly re-consolidate the axis There is work.