End of 'Merkron': EU's power couple prepares to bow out

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in southwestern France on October 16, 2019. PHOTO |  POOL | AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron hosts Angela Merkel in Paris on Thursday for the last time before the German chancellor stands down, which will spell the end of a partnership at the heart of the European Union for the last four years.

Merkel is to relinquish power after German elections on September 26, bringing an end to her 16 years in office that has seen her work with four different French leaders starting with Jacques Chirac.