Franco-German relationship in trouble
The fact that Gerhard Schröder made his first visit after the election to London and not Paris is an event of considerable importance. Schröder effectively arrived cap in hand, hoping that Tony Blair will be able to put in a good word for him in Washington.
The German attitude over the war has gone down badly with Germany's traditional ally, France. The newly elected government in Paris has publicly expressed its concern at the German election campaign. Alain Juppé, the former prime minister who as head of the new party, the Union for the Presidential Majority, is the true éminence grise of the government, expressed his disquiet at the German Social Democrats' campaign language. Juppé wished the opposition Christian Democrats success ,,from the depths of my heart". Juppé said, ,,We disagree with the Americans acting alone. We say that there can be no war without a mandate from the UN. But if Gerhard Schröder says that Germany will 'under no circumstances' participate in an attack, then that is going it alone as well."Juppé issued a joint communiqué with the CDU/CSU party saying that Schröder's attitude was ,,weakening Europe and isolating Germany". Jacques Barrot, the parliamentary leader of the UMP, called Gerhard Schröder's attitude ,,demagogic".
European Foundation Intelligence Digest Issue No. 151 26th September 2002