According to Baverez, the concept of a "couple" is an asymmetrical illusion.
Baverez and other analysts point to several "fault lines" that shattered the facade of unity:
: France uses the rhetoric of the "couple" to mask its own economic and political decline, similar to how the UK leans on its "special relationship" with the U.S.. According to Baverez, the concept of a "couple"
This guide breaks down his provocative perspective and the realities of the relationship during that pivotal year. 1. The Myth vs. Reality
: While France pushes for "European Strategic Autonomy," Germany has historically relied on the U.S. for security, a divide that widened as Berlin prioritized American-made equipment (like F-35 jets) over joint European projects. for security, a divide that widened as Berlin
Experts often reframe the relationship not as a "marriage" but as a functional engine or a "duo-duel". Powering up Europe: New drive for the Franco-German engine
: Germany has remained an industrial powerhouse, whereas Baverez argues France has suffered from a lack of structural reform and a widening deficit. 3. A Relationship of "Interests," Not "Love" 3. A Relationship of "Interests
: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced Germany to abandon its cheap gas model, leading Berlin to act unilaterally to secure its energy interests, often at the expense of European partners.