SPIEGEL ONLINE - 20.04.2012
Germany and France want to weaken Europe's border-free travel agreement, according to a Friday newspaper report. Berlin and Paris would like to be able to temporarily reintroduce border controls due to concerns about illegal immigration. The move is not, a Berlin official assures, to be seen as re-election campaign help for Sarkozy. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 19.04.2012
German Chancellor Merkel has made it clear that she would like to see French President Nicolas Sarkozy win a second term. Indeed, if his challenger François Hollande emerges victorious in the country's upcoming election, she could face isolation in Europe. But a Sarkozy re-election might be problematic, too. By Veit Medick and Severin Weiland more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 17.04.2012
French voters go to the polls for the first round of the presidential election on Sunday. So far, it's been a strange campaign in which personalities have played a bigger role than the country's troubled economy. The French media have focused primarily on the fate of President Nicolas Sarkozy -- a fate which remains uncertain. By Mathieu von Rohr in Paris more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 10.04.2012
As the French election campaign enters its last two weeks, President Nicolas Sarkozy is courting right-wing extremist voters. In his neck-and-neck race against Socialist Party candidate François Hollande, they could decide the outcome. By Stefan Simons in Paris more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 30.03.2012
Angela Merkel initially refused to receive French presidential candidate François Hollande when he offered a meeting recently. But as his victory against Nicolas Sarkozy seems more likely, the German Chancellery has made its first contacts with the Socialist Party politician's camp. After all, Berlin and Paris must stick together. By Florian Gathmann and Stefan Simons more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 26.03.2012
The deadly attacks in Toulouse have not only shaken France, but have also changed the course of the presidential election campaign. Before the brutal murders, President Nicolas Sarkozy was struggling in the polls. But calling for unity in reaction to the crisis, he's now gained new momentum and confidence. By Mathieu von Rohr more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 19.03.2012
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is annoyed at French President Nicolas Sarkozy for no longer wanting her help in his re-election campaign, SPIEGEL has learned. She had agreed to make joint appearances with him in the run-up to the April 22 vote, but he has changed his mind because their alliance isn't boosting his poll ratings. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 07.03.2012
French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a steep uphill battle in his campaign for re-election. On Tuesday, he vowed to slash the number of immigrants allowed into the country, complaining of "too many foreigners." The policy proposal marks a change from the mudslinging that has characterized the contest thus far. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 05.03.2012
Chancellor Angela Merkel has agreed with other conservative European leaders to help President Nicolas Sarkozy in the French election campaign by spurning his Socialist challenger François Hollande, SPIEGEL has learned. Merkel's interference is causing tension in her own government. By Veit Medick more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE - 07.02.2012
Angela Merkel's decision to campaign on behalf of French President Sarkozy has infuriated the German opposition, with some warning that it could damage German-French ties. But German commentators say that the bigger threat is posed by Sarkozy's Socialist challenger Francois Hollande. more...
