Economics

Macron Seeks a Dose of Charlemagne to Renew Merkel Partnership

European integration plans flounder without German backing
New Bundestag party whip is enforcing limits on Merkel

Merkel Says German-French Treaty a Signal Against Nationalism

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By Gregory Viscusi, Birgit Jennen, and Patrick Donahue

January 20, 2019 at 6:00 AM UTC

Updated on

January 21, 2019 at 6:30 AM UTC

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When France and Germany sign a treaty on Tuesday in the historic border town of Aachen, it will be the culmination of 16 months of work by French President Emmanuel Macron to bring the anchors of Europe closer.

But rather than a crowning achievement, the accord -- little more than a ceremonial renewal of friendship vows made in 1963 -- reflects the struggles the French leader faces in advancing his goals for deeper integration in the European Union.