The Franco-German couple, the engine of Europe, is turning again

From one fort to another. After Brégançon on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz met this Friday morning at the Fort du Cap Brun, the Toulon residence of the maritime prefect of the Mediterranean. While the view of the Mediterranean is still spectacular, the atmosphere has changed somewhat compared to the day before. And the tie worn this time by the President of the Republic and his German guest isn't the only sign of it.

Twenty ministers on the red carpet

Protected in particular by the air defense frigate Forbin , visible at the foot of Cap Brun, the fort will host the 25th Franco-German Council of Ministers on August 29. Among the latter, we will of course mention the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu (the enclosure is military), but also Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, Eric Lombard, Minister of the Economy and Finance, Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Benjamin Haddad, Minister for Europe.

Arriving somewhat early, the French ministers, accompanied by their counterparts from across the Rhine, will reappear about twenty minutes later to make their "official entrance" on the red carpet. A passage announcing the imminent arrival of the President of the Republic. The drum rolls of the National Navy Band will soon confirm this.

Europe ready to accelerate

"Mr. President, you have been paid the respects of the Commander-in-Chief for the Mediterranean's honorary section." These are the few words with which the serious head of state will be welcomed. But ten minutes later, a smiling and relaxed Emmanuel Macron will appear on the steps of the Cap Brun fort to welcome his friend Friedrich Merz. As proof of their genuine complicity, the two men do not hesitate to fall into each other's arms.

Before these various protocol sequences, advisors to the President of the Republic came to "debrief" the previous day's meeting. Of course, "off the record. " "Since the victory of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany, working and personal relations have been fluid between the President and the Chancellor. Since Friedrich Merz's first visit to France last May, the President and the Chancellor adopted a roadmap to accelerate the European agenda in terms of sovereignty and competitiveness." No revelation, but given the long downtime, it was necessary to keep the press busy.