France: Hollande in Germany for Debt Crisis Talks, Hours Into Presidency
François Hollande arrived in Germany on Tuesday, hours after becoming France’s new president, for talks on the European debt crisis with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Drama surrounded Hollande’s journey to Berlin, as lightning struck his plane and prompted a return to Paris, CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported.
The president switched to another plane and flew again toward Berlin, Hollande spokesman Faouzi Lamdaoui told BFM-TV.
As he was sworn in Tuesday, Hollande promised a new approach to tackling the financial woes plaguing Europe.
His talks with Merkel will be closely watched in light of the urgent challenges the continent faces.
Hollande was inaugurated Tuesday as France’s first Socialist president since François Mitterrand left office in 1995. He secured election victory this month over incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the most U.S.-friendly French presidents in decades.