‘Für den Merit’. On 2 February 2001, German cartoonist Burkhard Mohr illustrates the good relations and the sense of accomplishment that prevail within the Franco-German duo Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder. One year after the tough negotiations in Nice, European issues finally seem to be making some headway: the enlargement of the European Union is on track, the Convention on the Future of Europe is about to open and the entry into circulation of euro coins and banknotes as a means of payment went without a hitch on 1 January 2002. There is ample reason to be proud of the joint action taken by the Franco-German duo.

‘The pillars of Europe.’ On 16 January 2003, as the Convention on the Future of Europe carries out its work, German cartoonist Sakurai illustrates the joint action of Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, and Gerhard Schröder, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), who are calling for a reform of the European Union’s institutions.

‘40 years of the Franco-German engine.’ On 22 January 2003, as celebrations are held to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty, German cartoonist Waldemar Mandzel illustrates the efforts of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French President Jacques Chirac to get the engine of European integration working. In the sky, the fathers of the 1963 Élysée Treaty, Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle, closely observe the scene.

On 23 January 2003 in Berlin, to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French President Jacques Chirac shake hands in front of the monument erected in tribute to Chancellor Adenauer and General de Gaulle, the two signatories of the treaty in 1963. The two Heads of State commemorate 40 years of Franco-German cooperation.

‘King and Emperor of Europe’. On 24 January 2003, as celebrations are held to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty, Austrian cartoonist Ironimus scoffs at the commitment of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French President Jacques Chirac to the European cause. The two leaders, who are depicted in the full regalia of the King of Prussia and Napoleon, their respective headgear adorned with the European flag, already see themselves as ‘King and Emperor of Europe’. In 2003, the celebrations for the anniversary of the Élysée Treaty were held in the Palace of Versailles — where Chancellor Bismarck proclaimed the birth of the German Empire at the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 — marking the fact that the era of antagonism between these long-standing enemies seems to have long since passed.

‘European economy. German–French initiative’. On 20 September 2003, German cartoonist Jürgen von Tomeï illustrates the joint initiative of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French President Jacques Chirac in support of the European economy. The two partners are depicted as doctors attending at the bedside of a sick Europe, while British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in the background, is waiting his turn to help. At the foot of the bed, little Michel and Marianne, allegorical figures for Germany and France, look on in admiration at the actions of the Franco-German duo.

‘Stability pact. Two bus drivers take a casual view. A little more or less alcohol … You have to be flexible about these things …’ On 14 October 2003, German cartoonist Horst Haitzinger takes an ironic view of the inability of Franco-German duo Chirac and Schröder to comply with the criteria of the stability pact, which stipulates that states’ debt must not exceed certain limits. In 2003, the European Commission sends a warning to Germany and France about their excessive deficit.

‘Cut!! Paris budget. Berlin budget. Please!! Brussels budget’. On 11 February 2004, German cartoonist Klaus Stuttmann takes an ironic look at the reaction of French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to the criticism levelled by European Commission President Romano Prodi, who is calling on the two countries to manage their national budgets more efficiently to avoid returning to an excessive deficit. As the EU’s main contributors, France and Germany do not appreciate this rebuke from Brussels; instead, the two countries are in favour of a reduction of the EU budget ceiling.

‘A spectre hangs over Europe …’ On 27 April 2005, German cartoonist Horst Haitzinger illustrates how the spectre of a ‘no’ vote in the referendum on the European Constitutional Treaty is haunting the Franco-German duo. From left to right, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French President Jacques Chirac.

‘May I remind you that the Pope is German! We don’t care! He’s joking, he’s joking!’ On 27 April 2005, the day after the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Paris, French cartoonist Plantu takes an ironic view of the support offered by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (centre) to President Jacques Chirac (on the right) to try to convince French voters to vote in favour of the European Constitutional Treaty. Despite this German support, the French referendum on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, held on 29 May 2005, returns a ‘no’ vote.

‘EU Constitution. YES’. On 27 April 2005, German cartoonist Wolfgang Horsch takes an ironic view of the campaign by French President Jacques Chirac, who, with the support of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, is calling on his fellow citizens to vote for the ratification of the future European Constitutional Treaty.

On 7 March 2005, at the informal Franco-German meeting in Blomberg, President Chirac and Chancellor Schröder discuss the question of the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact and the financial framework for the 2007–2013 European budget. These ‘Blaesheim meetings’ are informal meetings between the French President, the German Chancellor and the Foreign Ministers which enable regular discussions and close coordination of the two countries’ positions on major international, European and bilateral issues. The first meeting was held in Blaesheim on 31 January 2001.

‘Franco-German cooperation … Don’t worry, the two of us will soon get you back on your feet.’ On 4 June 2005, German cartoonist Klaus Stuttmann illustrates the inability of the Franco-German duo to revive the European integration process. On 4 June, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder meet in Berlin for a crisis summit to reaffirm the driving role of the Franco-German tandem within the EU. But the two leaders are weakened, one by the French ‘no’ vote in the referendum on the constitutional treaty, the other by the German political crisis that is forcing him to call early federal legislative elections in September 2005.

‘And the meteoric journey continues!’ On 6 June 2005, after the negative outcome of the French and Dutch referendums for the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, German cartoonist Sakurai takes an ironic look at the attempts of the Franco-German duo (Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder) to revive the draft European Constitutional Treaty.

‘Astérix, the Chancellor. EU crisis. We need some sort of magic potion, druid.’ On 6 June 2005, following the negative outcome of the French and Dutch referendums on the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, German cartoonist Dieter Hanitzsch, taking inspiration from the ‘Asterix’ cartoon, paints an ironic picture of the hazardous attempts by German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (on the right as Asterix) and French President Jacques Chirac (on the left as a druid preparing a magic potion) to find a solution to the crisis facing the European Union

On 10 June 2005, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder meet in Paris to discuss the crisis facing the European Union after the French and Dutch ‘no’ votes in the referendums to ratify the European Constitutional Treaty. The two leaders announce their intention to put forward joint initiatives at the forthcoming European Council.

At the Brussels European Council held on 16 and 17 June 2005 during the Luxembourg Presidency, although the Twenty-Five do not manage to adopt the financial perspective for the Community budget for the period 2007–2013, they nevertheless establish priorities for the European Union regarding growth and employment policy; the strengthening of the area of freedom, security and justice; the fight against terrorism; external relations; and the European security and defence policy (ESDP). This meeting is followed by a round table discussion on the ratification process for the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The photo shows Jacques Chirac (on the left) shaking hands with German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder during a working session.

‘She should take a little break!’ On 20 June 2005, German cartoonist Burkhard Mohr illustrates the fears of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (on the right) over the severe crisis facing the European Union since the negative outcome of the referendums held in France and the Netherlands for the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Chancellor Schröder is speculating with his French partner President Chirac (on the left) about the future of various European issues such as funding and enlargement.