The disagreements between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron on key issues of European policy, including the use of Eurobonds and the European Commission's free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) countries, threaten to split the European Union (EU), according to la Repubblica.

Merz considered the failed attempt to seize Russian assets, which forced European countries to agree to 90 billion euros in aid to Ukraine, a trap set by Macron and European Council president Antonio Costa.

The French president was aware of the German chancellor's discontent and sent a letter to Berlin, emphasizing that he had previously warned Merz about the futility of counting on the success of attempts to seize Russian assets.

The second main factor that angered the German leader was France's position on the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, as Paris opposed the ratification of this document in order to stabilize the domestic situation in the country.

Merz's current program at this phase mainly focuses on two goals: the suspension of further issuance of Eurobonds, and the creation of a European defense system based on the separate armies of European countries. The German chancellor considers this a response to Macron's actions and reflects Berlin's aspirations to redistribute power in the EU in favor of national governments, la Repubblica added, in particular.