Much as have loved (and continue to love) working with French Mates on private contracts ,I do remember in my "European" days words of warning from an Italian mate on the metaphor of building a house.
"The French will go in with you so willingly 50/50 as you start to build the house .All sounds fine until you find they have manipulated to holding 51%. From then on it's "their" house and you find yourself increasingly then being pushed out of the door.