Macron, Merkel vow to cooperate closely until new German government is formed

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a working dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, September 16, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Thursday to keep working closely together until a new German government is formed after the Sept. 26 polls in which Merkel is not a candidate.

In 16 years in power, Merkel has known four French presidents and has built close relationships with all of them, despite a slightly rocky start with Macron.