France and Germany: Can Europe’s Engine Still Deliver? Overview of a Four Tier Europe

Short Ispi article Summary 2025:

"France and Germany have been the load-bearing axis of Europe ever since the signing of the Elysée Treaty in 1963, reinforced by the signing of the Treaty of Aachen on Franco-German Cooperation in 2019. It may not have been a well balanced axis and it often leant towards Berlin, especially during the Eurozone crisis, but it worked nonetheless. Now, however, this axis is coming under severe pressure from low growth rates (especially in Germany) and political instability (potentially deeper in France), giving rise to uncertain outcomes."

** AN OVERVIEW: The Franco-German proposals for a four-tier structure in Europe:**

1. Multi-Tier EU Structure Proposal

• France and Germany have proposed a new multi-tiered structure for the European Union, designed to facilitate the acceptance of new members and improve the bloc's operational efficiency. This model includes an "inner circle" of countries committed to deeper integration and a new tier of "associate EU membership" for countries like Norway, Switzerland, and the UK. The aim is to reform and accelerate EU decision-making processes before expanding membership by up to eight new countries [ (France and Germany back four-speed Europe 2023)

2. Public Support and Political Context

• There is notable public support in Western Europe for this four-tier structure, as indicated by a YouGov survey. The proposal is seen as a way to address the challenges of EU enlargement and integration, especially in light of geopolitical shifts and the need for a more flexible and responsive EU framework (You Gov 2023

3. Recent Franco-German Initiatives

• Recent summits and joint statements by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have emphasized the need for a "Franco-German new start for Europe." Their initiatives focus on economic policy, security, and addressing internal European challenges such as rule-of-law issues and rising extremism. These efforts are part of a broader push to restore the Franco-German engine as a driving force for European integration (Franco-German “reset” for Europe 2025

4. Strategic and Security Dimensions

• The proposals also include strategic elements, such as enhanced defense cooperation and the establishment of new military infrastructure, reflecting a shared commitment to European sovereignty and security in the face of global uncertainties (Franco-German Defense Group KNDS to Go Public in Dual Listing, 2025)

5. Only time will tell

• Beyond the positive signals, its strength will also depend on how the two parties deal with their differences. Their respective domestic political situations will also be decisive. Only time will tell if the currently high speed of the Franco-German engine can end the leadership vacuum at EU level.(Powering up Europe: New drive for the Franco-German engine, 2025