On 13 August 1969, German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the serious monetary instability that is affecting Europe. As France devalues its national currency, the German authorities are pursuing a policy of revaluing the Deutschmark, which becomes Europe’s major currency. In view of this instability, the EEC car, with French President Georges Pompidou at the wheel, is finding it difficult to get going. Sitting in the back, Federal Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger stresses to his Minister for the Economy, Karl Schiller, that he should avoid drawing the attention of the French partner to the imbalance between a strong mark and a weak franc.