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The politicians and their wives meet members of the public at the Democracy Festival. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TCJIYQRM7GHSLZPDAI2YDLAYTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=88445e982f7f987a1a5736ca5e4c434f6da161a678bb47c84a86a9ab781bb009&width=400&height=225)
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron arrive at the military section of BER Airport, in France, ahead of their three-day state visit to Germany, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Christophe Gateau / dpa via AP)
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it is the first state visit by a French president to Germany in nearly a quarter of a century. AP
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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2ndL) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (L) walk with French President Emmanuel Macron (2ndR) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) past the Chancellery on their way to attend a debate as part of the Festival of Democracy (Demokratiefest) on May 26, 2024 in Berlin. The French president pays a three-day state visit to Germany until May 28. The festival celebrates the 75th anniversary of Germany's Basic Law. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
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Mr Macron gives a speech. AFP
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He spoke of the dangers posed by the far right. AP
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Mr Macron receives applause. AP
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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron visit Democracy Festival, an event marking 75 years of the German Basic Law and 35 years of the peaceful revolution, in Berlin, Germany, May 26, 2024. REUTERS / Nadja Wohlleben
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The two leaders try some table football. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSARU4YXEDPU4Y2NYDBRLNGLWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce39300d825f39b2f0939da118d6910da9b4b109ee71f425730a68bc65d5b499&width=400&height=225)
The politicians and their wives meet members of the public at the Democracy Festival. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TCJIYQRM7GHSLZPDAI2YDLAYTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=88445e982f7f987a1a5736ca5e4c434f6da161a678bb47c84a86a9ab781bb009&width=400&height=225)
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron arrive at the military section of BER Airport, in France, ahead of their three-day state visit to Germany, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (Christophe Gateau / dpa via AP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AA7Z7PSUYFGZAU2HRDCH6UAO5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=bd33d89d59d720cd5feca7985fdd939d0b023a65d2b1f2e5bb34530a3659ce4a&width=400&height=225)
it is the first state visit by a French president to Germany in nearly a quarter of a century. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NBX7FB4PHTV6ZOUSVWK6MCZRFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=725b7b43a0982ad8a911ddd55700aa5b3822da695bd27367ff456c9e0c4a5ca4&width=400&height=225)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2ndL) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (L) walk with French President Emmanuel Macron (2ndR) and his wife Brigitte Macron (R) past the Chancellery on their way to attend a debate as part of the Festival of Democracy (Demokratiefest) on May 26, 2024 in Berlin. The French president pays a three-day state visit to Germany until May 28. The festival celebrates the 75th anniversary of Germany's Basic Law. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASMMBOEWDHDGKOMEHIGQGI4FUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0466c763cdf65eb94f33bbf21431d56b7f54b4dfcdd278b1ec74180b8c3f1cb&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron gives a speech. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TWQEKIFZGW3IOC6SXJUWTRGU34.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9e7119457113b1ddbaba036e84c16531176cd56a9a8ef3363ce8d79c1117818&width=400&height=225)
He spoke of the dangers posed by the far right. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F65RCYCK5MHKROUUMUVIO4UPKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d1e59fffcf809fd99db9140a77cf9859eff8127f4d0f1e066a639f8d451c6259&width=400&height=225)
Mr Macron receives applause. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z2I6L4LAXAPXV4VH67AWWYKJQA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4ca49731b66676e09887a9b55b72422e5e595b6954bccdd8ff9f76616b5802a9&width=400&height=225)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron visit Democracy Festival, an event marking 75 years of the German Basic Law and 35 years of the peaceful revolution, in Berlin, Germany, May 26, 2024. REUTERS / Nadja Wohlleben
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XTH2WIMV7452HKBHHDEKWUUD7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a7b40822535b46df6b93c57e5f953bfea764c161521aaeacaa71307829deea8&width=400&height=225)
The two leaders try some table football. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DSARU4YXEDPU4Y2NYDBRLNGLWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce39300d825f39b2f0939da118d6910da9b4b109ee71f425730a68bc65d5b499&width=400&height=225)
The politicians and their wives meet members of the public at the Democracy Festival. Reuters
Macron begins state visit to Germany to build ties
French President wants to ease tension with neighbouring nation and will warn of dangers of far right before EU elections
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Soraya Ebrahimi
26 May, 2024
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