France's new president Francois Hollande was on solid ground in Germany, seen here with Chancellor Angela Merkel, after the sort of day he will likely never forget.<br/> <br />Tuesday morning -- he was sworn in as the country's newest leader. He then bid adieu to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy in a manner some are describing as terse. No wave from the palace steps or pat on the back like Sarkozy gave his predecessor. Just a simple handshake.<br/> <br />From there, Hollande boarded a plane for Germany. It was then that lightning struck...literally. While he was unharmed, Hollande's jet was forced to return to France where he boarded another plane.<br/> <br />The meeting between the two leaders just an hour and a half later than planned seemed to underscore the urgency of the euro zone crisis.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: French president Francois Hollande saying (French):<br/> <br />"We want to work together for the good of Europe but we also want to mobilize all of the other countries of Europe. I also wanted to come to talk to the chancellor about our work for the coming weeks and months."<br/> <br />It was a sentiment echoed by Merkel.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel saying (German):<br/> <br />"We know the responsibility we have as Germany and France for a good development of Europe and I think in the nature of this spirit, we will find the solutions for the individual problems."<br/> <br />She also said the two leaders want Greece to remain in the euro zone<br/> <br />Many are looking for signs of tension between the two heads of Europe's biggest economies particularly in light of criticism Hollande directed at Merkel during his campaign.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters
