The recent speech of Emmanuel Macron was received in a very positive way by the Plenary Session of the European Parliament. It was seen by most MEPs as supporting and complementing the agreement of the three political groups on which the election of the new President and most of the 14 Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament was based (“Renewal and Experience in the European Parliament“).
On the other hand, many MEPs commented in the corridors of the European Parliament that most of the goals set by Emmanuel Macron far exceed the time horizon of the French presidency. It has been suggested that Emmanuel Macron wants to turn the French presidency into a European argument for his re-election in the April presidential election.
The Emmanuel Macron’s European Argument
The European argument is redeemable in the domestic political stock market, something very important as, Emmanuel Macron will be called to fight for his re-election in the presidential contest on April 10 and 24. The fact that this French presidency of the Union, in the first half of 2022, coincides with a serious geopolitical crisis in Ukraine, and with the international crisis of the pandemic makes the proportions even stronger.
Presenting the priorities of the French Presidency from the European Parliament podium in Strasbourg on 26 January “The Ambitions of the French Presidency in the EU“, Emanuel Macron outlined his vision for Europe not for the next 6 months, but for the next 10 years:
A fully independent Europe that will decide its own future and will not depend on the choices of other great powers.
A Europe capable of defending its external borders on its own, with a new model of economic growth for more well-paid and stable jobs, with colossal investments to tackle climate change and the Union climbing the playing field with the US-China on the ground of the digital economy.
The political calculation is obvious in the run-up to the April elections, Emanuel Macron seeks to rally his own camp and divide his opponents by drawing the dividing line “Europeans against Eurosceptics”, with himself representing the former and Marx. second.
This dividing line puts the center-right candidate Valerie Pecresse in a difficult position, possibly the most dangerous opponent of Emmanuel Macron, who, according to the latest polls, is fighting a fierce battle with Le Pen to enter the second. Against Le Pen, Macron is certain to prevail again as in 2017, as left-wing voters will vote for him unabashedly so that the far right does not win.
The race to the polls and the electrified atmosphere in European Parliament
One of the main contenders for the presidency of the Republic, Macron is the only one who has a clearly pro-European strategy. The representatives of the far right, Le Pen and Zemour, oscillate between Euroscepticism and anti-Europeanism. Republican-backed Conservative Valerie Pecres does not show the same European zeal as Macron. He tries to move on the basis of a variation of the Golian tradition.
According to the latest polls, Macron will move around 25% in the first round of the presidential election, while Lepen and Pecresse will fight for the 2nd place leading to the second round, with a percentage of 17%. Zemour follows in 4th place with 13% -14% and 5th comes Melanson of Insubordinate France with 10% -11%.
Inevitably the electrifying political atmosphere of pre-election France cast a shadow over Strasbourg last Wednesday 26 January, with European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber taking the podium after Macron, stressing that “we need more to be used by the French president “, while he clarified that his faction supports Valerie Pekres.
Shortly afterwards, as French representatives of the various currents took turns, the French political arena was transferred to the European Parliament semicircle. “You will go down in history as the president of climate inaction,” exclaimed Green Yannick Zando, comparing Emmanuel Macron to Meryl Streep in the critically acclaimed “Don’t Look Up.” Left-wing Manon Aubrey recalled the “Yellow Vest” injuries in France, while far-right Jordan Bardella accused his president of turning Europe into a “backyard of the United States, looting China in a hotel in Africa”.
In general, France is shifting to the Right, while Germany has been shifting to the Center and center-left. The different political dynamics manifested in Germany and France also highlight the problems of conciliation for the common approach to European issues.
In addition, Italy seems ready to return to a period of economic stagnation and political uncertainty. Mario Draghi is seeking his transition from Prime Minister to President of the Republic. Silvio Berlusconi, 85, also has presidential ambitions, warning that if Mario Draghi leaves the presidency, his party will leave the ruling coalition.
We will have to wait for the presidential elections in Italy and France to see if the goals set by the three political groups in the European Parliament and the ambitions of the French Presidency and the Conference on Europe can be translated into concrete policy.
