Emmanuel Macron’s advance to the second round of French presidential elections – and seemingly the presidency – has laid bare divisions over his agenda and whether he can cut deals and marshal the political machinery necessary to secure the ever-elusive holy grail of reforming France.

As German Chancellor Angela Merkel prepares for her first in-person encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week, she faces a strategic reality that contrasts sharply with her previous visits hosted by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.