Germany fears far-right National Rally victory could harm close ties with France

WORLD  05 July 2024 - 17:02

The success of France's right-wing National Rally party in parliamentary elections could strain relations between France and Germany, potentially impacting all of Europe.

The Associated Press (AP) cited experts on this matter, according to Caliber.Az.

Jakob Ross, from the independent think tank German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP), indicated that many EU projects might face challenges. He noted that cooperation on EU financial policy and defence initiatives could be adversely affected.

The potential enlargement of the EU, a priority for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, could also be at risk. Ross pointed out that Marine Le Pen's party opposes rapid expansion to the Western Balkans, and even more so to Ukraine or Georgia.

Berlin is already particularly worried about the National Rally possibly securing a majority in parliament. According to Ross, the French party is "very critical of Germany, and perhaps even hostile to Germany."

“German-French relations are actually unique in international politics in terms of their cooperation and intensity,” says Ronja Kempin, an analyst of Franco-German relations at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

It comes therefore as no surprise that “in Berlin, people are now particularly nervous about the fact that the National Rally in France could represent a party with a large majority in parliament that is very critical of Germany, perhaps even hostile to Germany,” she added.

Even though National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella said last month that if he becomes France’s prime minister, he hopes “to have the occasion and the opportunity to talk with the German chancellor,” he has also stressed that he would defend his country’s interests and sees Scholz as a political rival.

Caliber.Az