‘Sarkozy having to cling to Germany. Yes to Franco-German friendship, but de Gaulle didn’t get up close and personal with Adenauer!’ On 15 December 2010, French cartoonist Cabu paints an ironic picture of the bilateral relationship between President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Franco-German duo is being tested by Sarkozy’s expansive manner, which the Germans find bewildering. The Chancellor seems somewhat irritated by the ‘rough and ready’ style of the French Head of State and his tendency towards self-promotion.