It would be hard to miss. In the heart of Berlin’s government district, just a few steps from Unter den Linden, the French Embassy in Germany stands proudly in the center of Pariser Platz—a true symbol. This unique building, inaugurated in 2003 by Jacques Chirac, houses the Consulate, the diplomatic services, and, of course, the Ambassador’s Residence. It is here that I meet Kenny Abbey, the Ambassador’s steward. Kenny knows this majestic building like the back of his hand—and for good reason: he’s the one who coordinates the reception of official dignitaries, organizes receptions, and manages the kitchen staff. Across the street, the vast buildings of the German Bundestag bring a touch of futurism to this historic and cosmopolitan neighborhood. Three structures resembling cruise ships are interlocked around the Reichstag Palace. The largest of the three opens onto the Spree River—so much so that you could take a dip from the parliamentary cafeteria. 
It was there that I met David Himmelmann, a staff member for Alexander Throm, a member of the Committee on Internal Affairs and a spokesperson for the CDU. 

Two very different profiles, two sides of the same street, and one thing in common: Sciences Po Grenoble and UGA, serving as a bridge between them.

David Himmelmann is right at home in the halls of the Bundestag, greeting all members of parliament and their staff, regardless of their political affiliation. “My role is to serve as a bridge between my representative and the other groups; I talk to everyone to prepare for committee work—it’s a bit like diplomacy,” he tells me as we walk from his office to the parliamentary cafeteria. David enrolled at Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA in the European Governance program when it was a dual-degree program with the University of Konstanz in Germany. His fondest memories include “discovering French culture and strolling through the Grenoble Christmas market—especially to eat fondue.” History doesn’t say whether “La Bande à Migou” was already holding its famous Christmas concert there at the time... David’s daily dilemmas stand in stark contrast to French political culture. Germany is governed by a coalition between the SPD (Social Democrats) and the CDU (Conservative-Liberals), so David must maintain dialogue with his Social Democrat colleagues to reach compromises within the framework of the coalition agreement. A former intern at the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, David goes on to discuss Franco-German industrial partnerships and the issue of cross-border workers, a cause his member of parliament is deeply committed to. The potential of these collaborations is particularly illustrated by the success of Airbus, a true driver of economic development for many regions in France and Germany. In the Somme, where I live, the expansion of the Airbus plant in Albert-Méaulte and its cooperation with the assembly line in Hamburg are a concrete example of Franco-German friendship. It’s a European initiative, and it represents 10,000 jobs in eastern Somme!

Back at the embassy, we have to go back to 2013 to better understand this attachment to the German capital felt by a man who has made Grenoble his home (and who is, it turns out, also a fan of the Christmas market and fondue). While studying at Sciences Po Grenoble – UGA in the “European Governance” program, Kenny spent a year abroad in Berlin. Fascinated by this cosmopolitan city, he promised himself he’d return very soon. As if by fate, the young IEP graduate came across a job posting from the French Embassy in Berlin, which was then seeking volunteers to join its scientific department. Kenny went on to serve as an events coordinator for seven years. Today, as steward, Kenny oversees the residence of the third-largest French embassy in the world—behind Washington and Beijing, and neck-and-neck with London. Such responsibility has led him to experience some truly exceptional events, such as organizing the first official meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, just hours before Merz took office as Chancellor. At every official reception, an entire team gets to work to present a true showcase of France to the many political, cultural, and economic figures who come to meet the ambassador. Kenny’s interest in diplomatic and international affairs first took root at Sciences Po Grenoble, thanks in particular to courses taught by Franck Petiteville and Fabien Terpan. Kenny also has wonderful memories of his involvement in student organizations such as the “Bureau des arts” and the “Fac Verte” student union. Many challenges await Kenny in the very near future, notably the organization of a reception that will bring together more than a thousand guests in the embassy’s gardens on July 14, all in the service of promoting France’s diplomatic influence.