BRUSSELS: The dysfunctional relationship between the leaders of Europe’s main powers will be put to the test on Tuesday when they meet in London to seek ways to overcome global financial turmoil.

There is little chemistry between Germany’s Angela Merkel, a methodical scientist, France’s Nicolas Sarkozy, an impulsive “hyperpresident”, and Britain’s Gordon Brown, a brooding inwardly focused politician.

Diplomats and aides who have observed their interaction close-up say Merkel is irritated by Sarkozy’s limelight-grabbing activism, while Brown shows little interest in European affairs, harping on “the British national interest” in public.

“Brown has not really landed on the international scene yet and Sarkozy is strong but erratic,” says a senior German official, who requested anonymity.

Merkel’s patient consensus-building was crucial to the drafting of a reform treaty last June to replace the European Union’s defunct constitution, even though the new French leader claimed the credit.

Reflecting her exasperation, the official called Sarkozy “perhaps the most egocentric politician I have ever witnessed”.

German officials lament that Brown seems too transfixed by domestic politics to help counter what they see as harmful Sarkozy initiatives such as selling civilian nuclear technology to Arab states or creating a Mediterranean Union without the northern EU members.

In Brussels, which hailed the return of active French involvement under Sarkozy, there is frustration at Brown’s lack of engagement in Europe since he succeeded Tony Blair last year.

“There is a void where Gordon ought to be,” says one frustrated EU ambassador from a traditional British ally.

“Britain is out of the game,” says another, less sad to see London’s free-marketeering influence diminished. British officials privately acknowledge the problem, while seeking to play it down.

There was a general welcome, although not among all smaller EU states which feel excluded, when Brown invited Merkel and Sarkozy to discuss a response to the credit crunch that has deepened since last August.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who has nurtured warmer relations with Merkel and Sarkozy than he had with their predecessors, Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac, was included to bring Brussels’ regulatory expertise.

Italy’s Romano Prodi was added as an afterthought — diplomats say at German prompting — and has since resigned. The Downing St summit may be his last hurrah on the European stage.

The opportunity to exercise collective leadership and global influence is there, with US President George Bush, in his final year, distracted by Iraq and a domestic economic downturn.

The challenge will be to offer practical measures to restore market confidence that go beyond the regulatory review agenda set by EU finance ministers last year.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, chairman of the euro zone of finance ministers, was not invited to Downing St and played down its likely achievements.

“Having talked to some of the participants I can assure you that they will take no kind of decision,” Juncker said after ministers from the 15-nation single currency zone met last week.

“By the way I would not like to gravitise these kinds of meetings,” he added.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt also criticised “a group of big member states (who) want to discuss the financial situation with possible consequences for the entire Union.”

But many European officials say it is essential that the EU’s big three leaders overcome rivalry and develop a working relationship to give the 27-nation bloc the leadership it lacks.

“Without Franco-German cooperation, nothing gets done in Europe. Without British engagement, it’s difficult,” said a veteran European Commission official.

Several issues on the EU’s agenda this year offer them a chance to work together: adopting an ambitious energy policy to fight climate change, boosting European defence integration within Nato and dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions as well as helping stabilising the global financial system.

Many of these challenges will come to a head when France holds the EU’s rotating presidency for six months from July 1.

But there is widespread concern that Sarkozy may pursue French initiatives announced without consultation, such as a divisive call for a summit of leaders of the euro zone members.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet referred obliquely to that risk when he said in a speech last week that Paris would have to “play collectively” during its presidency.—Reuters