Macron Urges French Lawmakers to Embrace Compromise Like Germans

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on lawmakers to adopt a more collaborative governance style similar to that of Germany, urging them to seek compromise rather than confrontation. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a press conference in Toulon on March 15, 2024, Macron expressed his desire for unity among political factions as his minority government faces the threat of being ousted.

Macron’s comments came as opposition lawmakers are poised to challenge Prime Minister François Bayrou over plans to implement budget cuts amounting to nearly €44 billion. He pointed out that in Germany, both conservative and socialist parties have successfully collaborated, stating, “On the other side of the Rhine, it appears that a conservative party and a socialist party are managing to work together.” Macron emphasized the potential for similar cooperation in France, suggesting that it is not an impossibility.

Since the snap elections last summer resulted in a hung parliament, Macron has struggled to foster the kind of coalition-building typical in parliamentary democracies like Italy and Germany. When questioned about the possibility of Bayrou’s removal leading to further dissolution of parliament, Macron dismissed the notion, asserting that he would not engage in “fictional politics.” He also confirmed that he has no intention of resigning.

Support for Ukraine and Bilateral Cooperation

During the press conference, both Macron and Merz reaffirmed their commitment to increasing support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian military aggression. The French president announced that leaders of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of Western nations focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, would communicate with U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend. They plan to convene next week to discuss further actions.

Macron noted that if a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not occur by the U.S. president’s requested deadline of Monday, it would indicate that Putin has not engaged in genuine dialogue. Merz expressed skepticism about the likelihood of such a meeting, stating it was “obviously not going to come to a meeting” between the two leaders.

The discussions in Toulon also led to the presentation of nearly 30 joint projects and eight road maps, outlining shared priorities for European policies ranging from energy to financial services. Additionally, the governments announced a bilateral summit focused on digital sovereignty to be held in Berlin on November 18, 2023, along with plans for a space summit in France next year.

France and Germany are also enhancing their defense collaboration, launching a “strategic dialogue” on nuclear deterrence and initiating a common project for an “early warning system.” This system aims to provide NATO allies with timely information regarding ballistic missile launches.

Despite these advancements, the two nations encountered challenges in reaching a consensus on the EU’s trade agreement with the Mercosur countries of South America, which France opposes while Germany supports. Furthermore, progress on their joint fighter jet initiative, the Future Combat Air System, remains stalled.

Macron’s appeal for greater compromise reflects a pivotal moment in French politics as the government faces significant challenges. The outcome of these discussions and the resilience of the minority government will have lasting implications for France’s political landscape and its approach to European cooperation.