Merkel is in France today, for what is described as a quasi-State visit. She will meet Chirac, Villepin and Sarkozy. The CDU is keen to show that she will also have a good relationship with France. They put themselves in the footsteps of Kohl: nothing can happen in Europe will happen without France and Germanu on board, but good relations with others are important. Expect a less anti-American tone, but no substantial change within Europe. Neither Merkel nor Sarkozy will radically alter their countries' diplomacies and they will work with each other as a prority.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes