‘Europe could be coming to an end’

• Frank Renout

  France correspondent

French President Macron believes that the future of the European Union is in danger. The Member States must join forces – economically and militarily – to prevent decline. “The European Union is mortal. It could come to an end depending on the choices we make,” Macron said in a speech today. “There is a great risk that the EU will weaken over the next ten years.”

The president spoke at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He also gave a speech there seven years ago about the opportunities and dangers for the European Union.

“Europe now faces a choice: what role does it want to play in the future? We are now at a decisive moment,” Macron said in front of students but also ministers, entrepreneurs and scientists.

According to the French president, the EU is now at a turning point, unlike seven years ago. “The rules have changed,” he said, referring to the war in Ukraine and increased competition from Asia, especially China. According to him, Brussels must therefore set new priorities.

Macron insists that Europe must work on its own defense, to be less dependent on the Americans and to prepare for new threats. European countries must not only cooperate more militarily and more often, but also join forces in military-economic terms. “If we buy military equipment, we have to do it in Europe itself.”

The president spoke of joint European financing of military purchases, possibly with European loans, and also hinted at a common European anti-missile system.

The same European solidarity should express itself economically. The EU must think more of itself and give priority to its own industry, according to Macron. Because the United States and China “no longer adhere to the trade rules as agreed.”

According to Macron, initiatives have already been taken in that direction. He mentioned cooperation with Germany on the development of batteries for electric cars and new army tanks and mentioned the agreements “with our Dutch friends” on building submarines.

The European Union must further invest massively to be the world leader in essential and strategic sectors such as the AI ​​industry, space and biotechnology by 2030, Macron said. This is not only necessary for economic survival, he believes, but also to be self-sufficient in essential areas and not be dependent on foreign producers.

Afterwards, the president’s entourage emphasized that Macron wanted to give his vision of the future of Europe. But friends and enemies also mention the president’s political agenda. There will be European elections at the beginning of June. In the polls, Marine Le Pen’s right-wing radical party is in first place by a large margin. Her candidate, Jordan Bardella, is particularly popular with the French. Macron’s candidate, Valérie Hayer, on the other hand, is a big unknown to many people. She is doing poorly in the polls.

During his speech at Sorbonne University, Macron criticized Hayer’s political opponents. Without explicitly mentioning their names, he accused Le Pen and Bardella of continuously criticizing the EU, while they are in the European Parliament and no longer dare to argue for a ‘Frexit’: France, which follows in the footsteps of the British leave the European Union.