How will Germany respond to Emmanuel Macron?

Emmanuel Macron has a two-part strategy for reviving the alliance with Germany and thus the EU as a whole. First, he wants to prove he is a reformer by cutting taxes on jobs, lowering the state’s share of economic output (currently 55 per cent of GDP), decentralising collective bargain and introducing Nordic-style active labour market policies. Second, having won credibility through reform, he wants to go to Berlin and propose a new concordat on the euro and much else. However, Germany is divided on how to respond to Macron: some are wary of a new bargain to revive the Franco-German alliance, others are enthusiastic.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: How will the new French President impact on EU’s future? http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-will-the-new-french-president-impact-on-eus-future/

ESO: Key source: France Presidential Election 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2017/

Blog: Open Europe, 09.05.17: Germany welcomes President Macron with caution http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/germany-welcomes-president-macron-caution/

In Facts: Expert View, 09.05.17: Macron eyes reviving German ties to strengthen EU https://infacts.org/macron-eyes-reviving-german-ties-strengthen-eu/

ESO: Background information: Merkel and Macron want a new start for the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-and-macron-want-a-new-start-for-the-eu/

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