The Chemistry Between Merkel and Hollande

Angela Merkel and I are ‘on the same wavelength,’ said Francois Hollande on Tuesday, while the German Chancellor added that there is ‘chemistry’ between them during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Franco-German friendship, where the two leaders began addressing each other informally.

– We are on the same wavelength – said the French president at a press conference, responding to a question about their relationship, which is known to be cold and largely based on interests.
– Perhaps it is the best-kept secret that there is chemistry between us – said the Chancellor, adding that ‘this way we can cooperate peacefully.’ Both Hollande and Merkel, who are 58 years old, reminded on Monday in front of about two hundred young people gathered in the Chancellor’s office that they were only eight years old when former German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and General Charles De Gaulle signed the Élysée Treaty, which confirmed Franco-German friendship on January 22, 1963.

– You have not missed that we do not belong to the same political parties – the French president also said, expressing satisfaction with what France and Germany have achieved since he took office in May. Hollande mentioned the European security mechanism, the budget pact, the banking union, and their cooperation to keep Greece in the eurozone.
– Look at that and you will see that we are on the same wavelength – he emphasized.
The two leaders met on Monday evening at ‘Lutter und Wegner,’ a famous Berlin brewery, for a dinner where, at the Chancellor’s suggestion, they finally switched to addressing each other informally after months of hesitating between ‘tu’ and ‘vous.’
– The dinner lasted two hours and took place in a very cordial atmosphere, very direct and very successful – said a close associate of Francois Hollande.