Anglo-French relations have always had their rocky moments and the French socialists are now suggesting ripping up a European treaty and rowing back on planned austerity measures.
Francois Hollande is up against Nicolas Sarkozy in the French presidential election, which could lead to further clashes with the stance of the UK coalition if the left were to win.
Pervenche Berès, an MEP from Mr Hollande’s party, explained why austerity was « no solution for the the eurozone ».