Dramatic speech by French president calls for deeper ties between armies and bigger EU wallet
French president Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech on Europe in at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Thursday. Photograph: Christophe Petit Tesson/AFP via Getty Imagesreturned to the Sorbonne University’s amphitheatre this week for another set piece. But against the same stunning backdrop, the
“The very fact that war has returned to European soil but is waged by a nuclear-armed power, changes everything,” he said. “Our security depends on Russia not winning the war of aggression it is waging against Ukraine.” Macron warned that the EU was at risk of falling behind the United States and China economically if it did not take bold steps. His talk of the union raising and spending vastly more money will likely discomfort Germany. In one specific policy proposal, the French president called for the European Central Bank to be given a much broader role.
Around this time last year Macron’s Ensemble was polling slightly below Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party. The gap has grown wider. Recent polls have support for the far-right party at 31 per cent, with Ensemble trailing on 18 per cent. The far right’s campaign is being fronted by the 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, a National Rally MEP who has become a fresh, popular face in French politics.
That first Sorbonne speech in 2017 was received as a call to push towards a much more integrated EU. The then-newly elected president’s proposals included the total alignment of French and German markets and a common EU defence budget.
Emmanuel-Macron European-Union
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Xavi set to stay as Barcelona boss next season after dramatic u-turnThe 44-year-old had announced in January that he would step down at the end of the season.
Read more »
4 talking points after Limerick's dramatic comeback floors ClareIt finished 3-15 to 1-18 in favour of the All-Ireland champions.
Read more »
Man United's dramatic win over Coventry 'not an embarrassment'United scuppered a 3-0 lead and needed penalties to go through to the FA Cup final.
Read more »
Fair City's James Rafferty back together with girlfriend after dramatic break upSpoilers ahead: Hayley and James agree to accept each other’s’ flaws and decide to get back together despite the criticism from their family members
Read more »
Akshay Bhatia Wins Valero Texas Open in Dramatic Play-OffAkshay Bhatia secures his second PGA Tour win at the Valero Texas Open after a thrilling play-off. Denny McCarthy's mistake on the final hole gives Bhatia the victory and a spot in the upcoming Masters tournament.
Read more »
Chilling Exchange Captures Dramatic Moments Before Plane CrashThe tragic moments leading up to a plane crash were recorded in a chilling conversation between the flight crew and air traffic control. United Flight 173 encountered a landing gear malfunction and ran out of fuel, resulting in a crash that claimed 10 lives and left 23 others seriously injured.
Read more »