Part 2/5:
Consequences for EU Leadership
The Paris-Berlin axis has long been considered the backbone of the European Union. As the traditional power couple of Europe, both France and Germany's political health directly impacts the EU's ability to enact comprehensive legislation or present a unified front on critical international issues, especially those involving major powers like China and the United States.
As uncertainty looms, EU officials find themselves in a challenging position, unable to effectively steer new legislative initiatives or uphold coherent foreign policy positions. The ripple effects of these leadership crises extend to financial markets, which react negatively to political instability, compounding the pressure on already fragile economies.