Macron in Strasbourg and Berlin for a new impetus to European integration

Re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to take advantage of the symbolic date of May 9 and his move to Strasbourg today to praise a stronger Europe ready to reform to meet the expectations of its citizens.

He will then travel to Berlin, making, as tradition dictates, the first official visit since the re-election of German Chancellor Olaf Solz. This move in support of Franco-German friendship acquires “a stronger symbolism due to Europe Day”, underline the Elysee.

May 9, also a day in Russia celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 and a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square amid the war in Ukraine, “two models will face each other,” according to the French presidency. .

On the one hand, in Strasbourg, the closing of the Conference on the Future of Europe will be “a confirmation of the power of liberal democracies, their pluralism and freedom of expression”.

In Moscow, on the other hand, there will be “confirmation of the validity of a model of historical revisionism, for which blood is being shed on Ukrainian soil today.”

In the European Parliament semicircle, Emanuel Macron’s speech “aims to welcome the proposals of the people and to raise a number of challenges in the context of the war in Ukraine”, again according to the Elysee.

Democratic breath

The Conference on the Future of Europe, which was born on the basis of the French President’s original idea, made a very painful start a year ago, amid very limited enthusiasm on the part of some and the health crisis from the new coronavirus pandemic that complicated discussions and meetings.

Finally, through a huge process of committees and thematic working groups, in which 800 citizens, elected officials and various representatives of civil society participated, 325 meters were approved on April 30, covering 49 proposals.

The Elysee considers this consultation to be “a moment of democratic spirit”. And this despite the limited response and criticism of the position of the citizens, which is considered by some to be superficial, as well as for, as denounced by political parties that despise the EU, its overly pro-European character.

The final report of this citizens’ consultation will be formally delivered today at a ceremony starting at noon with the Presidents of the three European Institutions: Roberta Metzola of the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission and Emanuel Macron, as France rotating presidency of the European Council until the end of June.

It will then be up to EU leaders to decide whether or not to follow up on these citizens’ demands for a wider, more participatory and more social Europe.

European treaties

Hoping to increase its political weight, the European Parliament has already been active since last week, calling for a process to change the European treaties. This is a risky stage, but it is necessary for some proposals, such as granting the European Parliament the right of initiative or extending Brussels’ responsibilities in the field of defense or health.

The unanimity of the Member States, which is necessary on a number of issues, notably taxation, and often a source of exclusion, is also questionable.

For their part, the governments represented by the European Council put “less resistance to supporting the ideas coming from the Conference on the Future of Europe” and “their willingness to look at these citizens’ proposals has grown”, according to with European source.

“If the realization of a ‘realistic federalism and ideals’ in an enlarged EU” requires a process of change of circumstances, then let us proceed with courage and confidence, “Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told MEPs on Wednesday.

A review of the treaties “is neither a totem nor a taboo”, the French presidency noted.