On 9 December 1974, the French weekly newspaper Le Nouvel Observateur takes a critical look at the reactions of Germany and its European partners to the proposal from the French President, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, that the first summit of Heads of State or Government of the Nine, at which they are called to adopt the principle of the European Council, should be held in Paris on 9 and 10 December.