Ahead of the EU summit at Alden Biesen castle in Belgium, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron were seen together, emphasizing a symbolic alliance despite recent tensions. The summit is focused on enhancing competitiveness within the EU, a goal complicated by differing priorities between the two leaders. Macron advocates for EU debt measures and protections for domestic industries, while Merz favors reducing bureaucracy and increasing trade.

In stark contrast to the traditional German-French collaborative approach, Merz has aligned himself with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and has organized an informal pre-summit meeting aimed at addressing shared concerns about bureaucracy reduction and strengthening the internal market. This shift indicates a potential realignment of alliances within the EU as leaders seek common ground on critical economic issues.

As the discussions commence, the varying approaches may reflect broader strategic shifts in EU policy, especially regarding economic governance and market regulations. The outcome of this summit could shape the EU's economic landscape, influencing relations among member states and setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts.