The Merkel-Hollande duo still in search of a nickname

It is still unclear what the Franco-German duo will look like now that French President-elect François Hollande is set to replace Nicolas Sarkozy in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Although he has questioned austerity policies, the Socialist Hollande will soon be forced back on track according to both French conservative daily Le Figaro and Germany's left-leaning Tageszeitung.

Le Figaro lists the facts that will inevitably lead to a show of force between Angela Merkel and the French President-elect:

Berlin is clearly irritated by the Hollande team's repeated calls to renegotiate the fiscal pact in order to add a section on growth. Seeking to reassure the chancellor's entourage on this point, advisors to the socialist candidate hinted that these were just 'campaign promises'.

The chancellor knows that François Hollande's situation does not allow for much room for manoeuvre and that he will "seek to impose himself at all cost in order to score points," Le Figaro writes —

Yet she should not yield on the obligation to sign the treaty as is, even if it is resubmitted later. It would thus be up to the French president-elect to take the first step and to sign the pact as it is. A move that would be counter to the campaign waged against austerity in Europe.

Nonetheless, notes Le Figaro, the two leaders have some points in common. "The only good surprise, when the chancellor greets the French president-elect in Berlin, could be that of a meeting" between two leaders who have demonstrably "normal and humble personalities".

Far from being anecdotal, this personal link is the foundation of trust which allows Paris and Berlin to overcome their differences. This could lead to a consensus that would draw Europe along in the wake of the Franco-German team. If Hollande and Merkel get off on the right foot, everything is possible.

In Berlin, the Tageszeitung has strong doubts that François Hollande will get very far with his plans to favour growth. Certainly, the paper notes, several Brussels heavyweights eyeing José Manuel Barroso's post as EU Commission chair, such as Martin Schulz, president of the Euro Parliament and Viviane Reding, the vice-chair of the Commission, were quick to agree with Hollande by pleading for a growth pact. However,

...in the end, this is a classic Brussels compromise. A hand is extended to the new arrivals to better draw them in. For Brussels, a totally watered-down growth pact is very attractive because it would leave Chancellor Angela Merkel's budget pact unchanged. It would probably not even frighten the markets. That way everyone is satisfied: Merkel and Hollande, the citizens and the markets. MEP Elmar Brok (CDU) sums up the views of many European political leaders, saying, 'by June at the latest, Hollande should be back in line'.

Germany's leadership is thus not about to dim and, reinforced by the support of the markets, the free-market rhetoric from Brussels and Berlin resists change, TAZ says. Add to that the Greek crisis and

...the June EU summit could once again become a Greek summit, uniting Merkel and Hollande. As to what will become of the socialist's platform, heaven only knows.