Why did Hollande go to Berlin ?

Lapin

On today of all days.

Surely the new president of France could forgiven for taking today out to celebrate his inauguration.
Every other newly promoted head of state does so on day one.

Its not as though anything was planned to be achived by the meeting.
Both leaders said it was a getting to know you exercise.

Why the hurry ? Was it simply to convey a sense of urgency over the Euro crisis? Surely a meeting tomorrow wouldn't make much difference.

Why didn't Merkel go to Paris instead ?

Just wondering - It seems a bit odd to me.

ambid

The Europe crisis was the main plank of his election platform so I guess he wanted to present himself as a man of action, getting on with things right away.

Him going to Berlin does look bad. I guess the reason is something mundane, like he requested the meeting or Merkel's diary was booked up so he had to fit in to her diary.

Hope he exceeds all our expectations.

lightspeed

I like way he mentioned euro bonds will be on the table and merkel qickly responded with needing to decide on whose idea of growth was better.
This provides more reason to vote no in this referendum. If we vote yes then merkel wont be put an pressure to allow changes for growth. Its interesting that Spain is now having to make large bailouts of some of the spanish banks and they currently have around 25% unemployment. Greece say they wont pay anymore austerity and yet tonight both Hollande and Merkel say its their duty to ensure Greece remains in the euro. So does that mean that Greece will now be given more money but without any austerity?.

golden lane

Lapin wrote: »

On today of all days.

Surely the new president of France could forgiven for taking today out to celebrate his inauguration.
Every other newly promoted head of state does so on day one.

Its not as though anything was planned to be achived by the meeting.
Both leaders said it was a getting to know you exercise.

Why the hurry ? Was it simply to convey a sense of urgency over the Euro crisis? Surely a meeting tomorrow wouldn't make much difference.

Why didn't Merkel go to Paris instead ?

Just wondering - It seems a bit odd to me.

for a loan........

maddragon

To pay homage to the leader of Europe.

Cookie_Monster

indeed, why not video conference it, or is it really just so he can be seen beside her kissing hands and shaking babies for the press?

It is a tradition - I believe Sarkozy did the same when he was elected.

Franticfrank

Politics aside, maybe he just really wanted to see what its like to fly in a Thunderstorm. I for one am inspired by his daredevil antics.

RubyRoss

Deleted User wrote: »

It is a tradition - I believe Sarkozy did the same when he was elected.

I thought it was odd but understandable given the crisis but surely it can't be a tradition? That's the stuff of lords and kingships not republics.

RubyRoss

RubyRoss wrote: »

I thought it was odd but understandable given the crisis but surely it can't be a tradition? That's the stuff of lords and kingships not republics.

He didn't go there to prostrate himself - they are allies and see each other as equals*

Angela Merkel's first stop on her first trip abroad was to visit Jacques Chirac.

*Technically a president as head of state is more senior than a prime minister as head of government but you know what I mean.

RubyRoss

Deleted User wrote: »

He didn't go there to prostrate himself - they are allies and see each other as equals* Angela Merkel's first stop on her first trip abroad was to visit Jacques Chirac.
*Technically a president as head of state is more senior than a prime minister as head of government but you know what I mean.

But was Merkel's first trip to Chirac on the day of her official appointment?

I'm not attacking the gesture (this is what nations do) but I still think it's odd...and what's odd about is extremely unimportant.

Yes.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,1789346,00.html

Angela Merkel marked her first day in office visiting European leaders. She had lunch in Paris to talk about the EU and an afternoon snack in Brussels, where she called for closer ties to the US.

RubyRoss

Deleted User wrote: »

Yes.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,1789346,00.html

Fair enough - that clears it up, thanks.

I suppose I found it odd from a national perspective but the gestures themselves are about moving beyond a narrow nationalist perspective towards a European one.

trishasaffron

Also this generation of French and German politicians still carry memories of the impact of WW2 through their parents and grandparents and they have a strong resolution to keep talking rather than warring.......

hatrickpatrick

Surely everyone will understand has to go and get his seal from the self styled Queen of Europe? It's tradition, dammit!