On Francois Hollande's first day as French President, his goal was to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel, reaffirming the relationship between France and Germany underpinning the European Union and the Eurozone. One should emphasize relationship, rather than partnership. The latter is fruitful, the former can be abusive.
The two leaders met for talks and a dinner, holding a press conference on their discussions. It is clear that neither was willing to give ground, politely stating their differences. Hollande made the case for Eurobonds, a lender of last resort and renegotiation of the fiscal treaty. Merkel stood her ground on the figleaf of austerity, already clear that the liabilities will overwhelm Germany if the Eurozone falls.
On the day that economic news highlighted the widening divisions within the currency union, both leaders noted that they would agree to disagree. Their sole point of unity was a plea for Greece to remain within the Eurozone and a plea to provide further support; perhaps this formed the majority of their discussion. Growth and austerity become minor points in the maelstrom that would result if contagion flowed through the markets.
To sum up, the discussions confirmed that Hollande and Markel are now bystanders like the rest of us. They have no solutions and the future of their currency union resides in the Greek electorate. They didn't even mention the financial transactions tax (don't want to piss UK and US off?).