As a result of the Nice EU summit in December 2000, there have been repeated speculations about the future of German-French relations and the questioning of the leading role of both states in and for Europe. Through a detailed analysis of interaction processes, this study demonstrates that such pessimistic expectations are not unfounded. The adaptability of German and French governmental elites is less pronounced than necessary for the further development of intergovernmental cooperation, leading to a lack of progress in fostering cooperative and relationship-preserving behaviors. This primarily affects the bilateral relationship, which proves to be far less solid than commonly assumed.