French-German govt talks delayed as discord builds

France and Germany have often tried to present a united front through various crisis

Germany and France on Wednesday postponed a meeting planned for next week between their governments as Berlin said that "more time" was necessary to find common ground on a slew of issues.

The delay to January of the regular meeting hosted alternately by either cabinet exposed a growing rift between the two EU powers, and comes as Europe struggles to cope with an energy and cost-of-living crisis unleashed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But he acknowledged that "there are a number of different issues that we are dealing with at the moment... on which we have not yet reached a unified position."

Scholz will nevertheless hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of an EU summit starting Thursday, Hebestreit said, adding that the pair may also meet next Wednesday in Paris.

But the Elysee admitted that it went beyond a scheduling issue.

France and Germany have often tried to present a united front in myriad crises, with the countries' two leaders coordinating their positions ahead of key summits.

"There have always been times of disagreements, but here, it's more serious," said Jacques-Pierre Gougeon of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs.

After Scholz's government announced a 200-billion euro ($198-billion) support scheme to protect its businesses and consumers from runaway energy prices, Macron warned the programme risked leading to "distortions" in the bloc.

France has, however, on a national level, introduced a price cap on energy prices.

France, which is suffering an electricity shortage because several of its nuclear power plants are out of service, has been pushing for the cap.

While providing an immediate relief for gas supplies to the continent, Germany is also hoping that the pipeline could in future be used to transport hydrogen. 

On military issues, Germany's recent success in rallying 14 NATO members to join its air shield project has irked France which is eyeing a separate plan.

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