French and German visions for Europe to clash in Berlin

French and German visions for Europe to clash in Berlin

Press quote (Reuters)
Christian Odendahl
21 September 2014

...And if Berlin allows leeway on the deficit, France must be seen to do something in return.

"Behind closed doors, while Germany will certainly push France on reform and [budget] consolidation, France will be given more time and flexibility," said Christian Odendahl, chief economist at the London-based Centre for European Reform.

"But it just must not appear that way to the German public."