The program of festivities provides many moments

Cameras from around the world are now trained on Berlin, then only about 30 heads of State and Government come to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the wall. The opportunity for Angela Merkel, just be renewed at the head of the Germany for a second term, portrayed himself as a linchpin of the European policy, after trying to run in privileged interlocutor of the United States on the Continent, last week, in his speech to the Congress.

The program of festivities provides many moments. Chancellor Merkel must in 1989 15 hours the Bornholmer Strasse Mikhail Gorbachev a bridge Daniel Barenboim must lead to 19 hours in the open air concert before the Brandenburg Gate. Angela Merkel, the Mayor of Berlin (SPD), Klaus Wowereit, and representatives of the four allied powers that occupied the city will then be a speech, also on the Pariser Platz. Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, Dmitri Medvedev are moving, if Hillary Clinton will represent the United States, and non-Barack Obama in travel in Asia. More déplorée lack, in the Chancellery, as the US President is still not made in Berlin since its entry into service. 20 Hours, dominoes polystyrene, 2.50 m high, should fall to symbolize the fall of the wall. Before that, around 21: 30, began at the Chancellery dinner where the heads of State and Government are invited.

The presence of all the European leaders should advance the process of designation of the two new figures key established by the Treaty of Lisbon, which should enter into force on 1 December. The position of stable President of the European Council, is the current Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who is favorite, ahead of two other Beneluxiens, the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende and the Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker. It also cites the name of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Whereas the nomination of Tony Blair finally torpedoed to the Presidency of the Council, another British is slated for the other position lighthouse, that of High Representative for Foreign Affairs: David Miliband. Is also the name of the former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, who however felt yesterday in the newspaper "corriere della Sera" have "significantly less than 50 " chance. An extraordinary Summit should decide on the two appointments in the weeks, or even the days to come.

The 20eanniversaire of the fall of the wall is also part of a sequence of revival of the Franco-German relations. If several capitals such as Rome or Warsaw, organize commemoration events, it is by far Paris offering its inhabitants the most supported celebration, with a grand musical performance on the place de la Concorde. The German media noted with interest, or even a certain astonishment, the extent of the coverage of the event by the French media.

Joint initiatives

After a difficult start, in 2007 and 2008, the relationship between Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel have warmed, the last few months. In the crisis, the two leaders found that they had very similar positions in many areas, such as the regulation of financial markets. And that joint initiatives could weigh in forums as the g-20. The Elysee sent in recent months many proposals of cooperation and partnership in the Chancellery. Friday, on Europe 1, Pierre Lellouche, Secretary of State for European Affairs, found possible to have in January 2010 a "Franco-German Minister", who would serve on the Council of Ministers both in Paris and Berlin. Angela Merkel, according to the German press, is less eager and want to give time for reflection. However, she will conduct a very symbolic gesture as early as tomorrow. For the first time, the head of the German Government will participate in Paris on November 11 ceremonies. Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy must get under the Arc de triomphe, a strong image which is expected to echo the Mitterrand-Kohl meeting, the ossuary of Douaumont in 1984. Gerhard Schroeder, newly elected, had declined the invitation launched by Jacques Chirac to participate in the ceremonies of 11 November 1998.