French President Emmanuel Macron hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for a working dinner at Fort de Brégançon on 28 August, ahead of the first Franco-German Ministerial Council since Berlin’s change of government. The two leaders said they want to “relaunch” their countries’ partnership, which Macron called “perfectly coordinated to create a stronger Europe,” while Merz described it as an “axis” of the European Union. The council, which convened in Toulon on 29 August, brought together ten ministers from each side to align economic and security policies. Officials said the agenda included forging a common strategy toward China, bolstering military and industrial support for Ukraine and exploring joint initiatives to improve EU competitiveness. The renewed push comes as France grapples with domestic political uncertainty ahead of a no-confidence vote in early September and as Germany’s new coalition seeks to reset relations with Paris after tensions under the previous government. Both leaders framed tighter coordination as essential to steering the EU through geopolitical and economic challenges.