![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/France-Germany-4988892.jpg?r=1696244289145\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United Kingdom did not just liberate Europe, it has since acted as a stabilising force.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we have left, it would appear the Franco-German axis, so important for European unity, is fraying.\u201d<\/p>\n
France\u2019s relationship with Germany had never been a happy one and now the cracks were \u201cre-emerging\u201d, Mr Habib suggested.<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cFrance is ideologically European. Germany less so \u2013 it thinks in more economic than political terms.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/David-McAllister-4988900.jpg?r=1696244289216\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd with the wheels coming off the German automotive industry, it is rather more fussed by domestic issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrankly, the greater the fissures, the better.<\/p>\n
“The EU is an anti-democratic supranational selfish bureaucratic body.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sooner it collapses, the better. Who\u2019d have thought Brexit would help destroy the EU?\u201d<\/p>\n
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> Mr McAllister, who is chair of the European parliament\u2019s foreign affairs committee said the Franco-German relationship, long considered the bedrock of the EU, was not \u201ceverything in Europe\u201d but warned without cooperation \u201cthings don\u2019t work\u201d.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIn the end, Paris and Berlin need to agree to smooth things.<\/p>\n “And this is where I criticise the German government.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we have seen such little cooperation between Paris and Berlin as we are witnessing at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr McAllister also referenced a speech delivered by Mr Scholz in Berlin in August.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cCan you imagine: he spoke for 45 minutes on the future of Europe \u2013 especially defence and security \u2013 and he doesn\u2019t mention France?<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, with whom will you organise your European defence and security if not with France?\u201d<\/p>\n In a remark clearly underlining the void which the UK\u2019s departure three years ago left, Mr McAllister added: \u201cFrance is the leading military force in Europe and the British left us.”<\/p>\n
Britain’s recovery from the pandemic positions us ahead of competitors[ANALYSIS] <\/strong>
Critics silenced as UK\u2019s GDP surges past both France and Germany\u2019s[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
PM slams BBC for \u2018inaccurate commentary\u2019 on state of UK economy over EU states[VIDEO] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Ben-Habib-4988914.jpg?r=1696244289258\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/European-Commission-President-Ursula-von-der-Leyen-4988922.jpg?r=1696244289311\")
<\/p>\n