June 2025 marked a crucial period for Franco-German relations, serving as the "first real test" of the "new start" initiated following the election of Friedrich Merz as German Chancellor on May 6, 2025. This rapprochement, coming after a period of "frictions and tensions" under the previous Scholz government, is characterized by a reactive and pragmatic alignment driven by external pressures (e.g., an assertive Trump administration, persistent Russian threat) and common internal challenges (e.g., economic competitiveness, energy security). While the media portrayed a "honeymoon," the underlying reality is a "calculated partnership" to navigate a perilous geopolitical environment. The key themes include a strategic convergence in security and defense, a pragmatic search for economic compromises, and the vital role of institutional frameworks like the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly (APFA) in managing persistent structural divergences.