On the contrary And under Chirac and Sarkozy

In these celebrations of anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, many point out the ambiguity of François Mitterrand. The President of the French Republic have, along with Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street, stopped the four horseshoes fearing for the Germany meeting, with 80 million inhabitants, broken the balance of the four major nations (Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom) and won an overweight in the conduct of Affairs European. Eduqué between the two wars against the Germany, he would have even feared that could revive a desire to "sonderweg", a nationalist German way.

Advocates of the former President rightly recalled that in the fall of the wall the reunification was still distant goal for everyone, Americans, Soviets, French and Germans. Then the slogan "wir sind ein volk" is imposed ("We are A people", which followed the "We the people" which was sent to the authorities of the GDR for the elections). The story is accelerated. Helmut Kohl took the lead in introducing "a ten-point reunification plan", without talking to his friend Mitterrand. It was very poorly taken, according to his friends, but he never objected to the reunification. He received the downstream of Bonn to the euro, not "in Exchange" as the too fast, but as a pledge of commitment determined the great RFA for the European construction.

Subsequently showed that Mr. Mitterrand fears were unfounded: Chancellor Kohl remained a supporter of the Union historical European, even if British and Italians were able to quickly have contrary belief, in the currency of 1992-1993 which crisis has led to the expulsion of the book and the reading of the European monetary system. The France, which has suffered as many "selfishness of the Bundesbank", concluded the need to accelerate the adoption of the euro. The Bundesbank was in fact to swallow the cost of reunification "1 ost Mark for 1 deutsche Mark", decided by only Kohl. But she obeyed admirably and then accepted the euro.

But today Helmut Kohl was the last Chancellor "European" When we saw the Chancellor Angela Merkel, among other examples, reject the rescue plan joint banks that Nicolas Sarkozy, then when you see, re-elected, send to Brussels a germanique second Commissioner, the question is clear. The Germany still is "European"

The most obvious signs eager selfishness is the rescue of Opel. General Motors bankruptcy wanted to give its European subsidiary. Berlin imposed the choice of the purchaser, the Canadian Magna supported by Russian savings banks, Sberbank, against the advice of Detroit, who preferred a takeover by the Belgian Fund RHJ. The solution adopted was more expensive in State aid, 4.5 billion euros against RHJ 3.2, and above all she sacrificed no economic logic jobs in Britain, Spain and Belgium to preserve those of Germany. In addition, the agreement was financially opaque, particularly as regards the Russian commitments. The Commission in Brussels, too silent long, was eventually denounced. Paris is reported by approving silence.

General Motors has to recover and decide to give Opel. It welcomed and a reminder to the European imperative. The cries of the Government of Berlin against the decision "unacceptable of GM" are suspect. The necessary restructuring of the European automotive industry must cease to be a German exercise.

The France, since François Mitterrand, has, of course, no conduct European lessons to give. On the contrary! And under Chirac and Sarkozy. This is the worrying. The Elysee wants November 11 a day of "Franco-German axis." Unfortunately, we feel come a terrible new axis, opposed to the "European" spirit, and which would be limited to allow the selfishness of the other. The France part in budget settings Berlin will close the eyes. The Germany defends national industrial policy and flirts with the Russian bear Paris says nothing.

France and Germany should return together to the long road to the progress of European construction. There is no "English alternative. But should step that, encouraged by the France, the Germany, twenty years after, gives reason to the fears of François Mitterrand.