Just Can’t Get Enough

Are Macron’s EU plans overly ambitious?

(Source: France 24)

This Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron has presented his plans for the future of the EU, as part of the eponymous series of events that the European Parliament organises during the plenary sessions. The speech looked like a sequel to a fairly successful movie, but with other supporting actors. This time it was the MEPs that filled the hemicycle in Strasbourg, instead of students at the Paris Sorbonne. Within both groups it would be interesting to conduct a research on how they respond to Macron’s ideas. Anonymous, of course.

Macron paid tribute to Michel Barnier and his Brexit efforts, which could also be seen as a tactical movement in trying to get allies for his proposals. Some media outlets consider Barnier as a potential candidate for the Commission presidency, but also stressed that Macron considers him a part of the old structures whose time has passed. One could view this as Macron’s wish of giving away the Commission presidency to the EPP, and aiming for the Council presidency, in some sort of a coalition deal with the EPP after the EU elections.

Macron also took the opportunity to stress his commitment to liberal democracy, emphasising that divisions within the EU are not acceptable, and that some fundamental values are called into question, overshadowing what brings us together. Macron talked about geopolitical threats that need to be countered, and about the strong European role from Africa to the Middle East. As Macron likes to present himself as a modern president, he did not forget to address the digital revolution and the climate change issue, which he considers as foundations of our society.

Macron was very critical towards Donald Trump, stating that the US is rejecting multilateralism, international trade and climate change. He described the populist discourse as the “music of paralysis”. On migration, Macron believes need to unblock the poisonous debate, and he proposes a European program to support local actions to host and support refugees. Macron believes that reforming the economic and monetary union needs to be done before the end of the parliamentary term. However, he did not explain how. On a more personal note, Macron said that he comes from a generation that is forgetting the sufferings from our ancestors. He does not want to be a part of a generation that forgets its past, and that he will not give in on any type of authoritarianism.

(Source: Irish Times)

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker took the floor afterwards and expressed strong support and friendship to President Macron, stating that the “true France is back”. After that the party leaders took the floor, with the main party leaders having noticeably mixed comments, praising his pro-EU stance but at the same time criticising him for some measures (for example blocking the Work-life balance in the Council).

To conclude, time is running fast and everyone is aware of that. A year before the European elections, reactions to Macron’s speech are obviously mixed, with many actors considering his plans as being vague, not favourable or just as being unrealistic. As Emmanuel Macron and his En Marche movement have clearly rejected affiliation with any EU political group before the elections, it seems only logical that ALDE, EPP and S&D pursue their own policies and try to distance from Macron. With that in mind, President Macron has a strong obstacle to complete any reforms within the next year. Therefore, he is not losing time and is already having talks this Thursday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as some concrete initiatives have to be done before the summer. Finally, it remains to be seen if President Macron can handle the increasing domestic pressure, as the current rail strikes and protests against his government are strongly affecting France. Macron said he would not give in to protests, but it would not be the first time that a French President gives up on reforms. However, then one should look for alternatives, and some of them look really scary.