Politics

Renewing Europe

Mar 4, 2019 Emmanuel Macron

To commemorate its founding 25 years ago, PS is republishing a selection of commentaries written since 1994. In the following commentary, Emmanuel Macron called on EU citizens to focus on three goals ahead of the critical European Parliament election in May 2019.

PARIS – Never, since World War II, has Europe been as essential. Yet never has Europe been in so much danger.

Brexit stands as the symbol of that. It symbolises the crisis of Europe, which has failed to respond to its peoples’ needs for protection from the major shocks of the modern world. It also symbolizes the European trap. That trap is not one of being part of the European Union. The trap is in the lie and the irresponsibility that can destroy it.

Who told the British people the truth about their post-Brexit future? Who spoke to them about losing access to the European market? Who mentioned the risks to peace in Ireland of restoring the former border? Nationalist retrenchment offers nothing; it is rejection without an alternative. And this trap threatens the whole of Europe: the anger mongers, backed by fake news, promise anything and everything.

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0 Comments on this paragraph, 97 Comments on this article

Gilles Sanderse Feb 9, 2021

Build in Europe to sell in Europe under European norms and values.
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Henk Crop May 2, 2020

Over a year ago Macron presented his ideas about a future of the EU.
A great initiative which invited much comment, including a publication by Germany with their viewspoints.
When I look at the progress that has been made in the EU, despite a new EU Parliament, a new EU Commission and a new EU Council, then it is very limited.
Although it could be expected that the new appointments would represent some of the voices wanting change in the EU, as voiced by populists. There were the same old faces again, ensuring no changes would take place.
A most peculiar novelty is that the EU intends to go to Africa instead of addressing the major challenges inside the EU.
Perhaps the Eurocrats have given up on the EU and concluded it to be unmanageable.

However there is perhaps some hope.
To bring about any change in an organization like the EU, with its extensive vested interests, you need a crises.
The crisis is there, the Corronavirus which is disrupting societies all over the EU.
It is urgent now not to dream about what the EU could plossibly be, but instead to see what measures are urgently be taken to make the EU manageable again.

1- In the EU budget discussion a division became visible between the North and the South.
The North: Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden. The South being the other 22 members.
The North disagrees with the South on doing business. They object that, you can spend more than you can afford and have the debt paid by your neighbour.
The EU was never founded on that principle.
Italy and France think that is solidairity. But first they should extend their retirement age to 67 like in the Netherlands, instead of 62 in France.
As parties will not soon reach agreement I think the Euro should be split up a.s.a.p.
In two or possibly more currencies.

2 - By the Brexit the EU is faced by a leadership crisis. There are now only two big countries.
In politics mainly the big members determine the course. Germany and France never got along well so I suggest that Germany and France each lead there followers.
An Management Team is to be formed around the EU President, comprising of Germany and France plus a number of representatives of groups of smaller members. This is to maintain cooperation between North and South.

3 - The EU Parliament ( 750 members ) is replace by an EU Senate ( 54 members ).
The EU commission will then directly communicate with the National Governments/Parliaments. The Senate will oversee legalistic activities.

4 - The EU subsidies will only be limited to Multi-national projects and temporary social support to solve constraints. No more subsidy for: agriculture, glass houses in Sicily for growing tomatoes, education of hospital nurses in the Netherands, or restoration of antique houses in Scotland.

5 - A drastic reduction of immigration.

6 - Each member should list the operations that definitly needs to be maintained operational during the crisis.
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Christine Constable Apr 29, 2020

I find Macron a rather division character. His palpable Anglophobia and deliberate antagonism to the UK in her wish to leave the EU has been treated with spite and bile rather than a recognition for what it really is, a crie de coeur that the EU is strangling itself with central planning, micro management; inefficiency; corruption; short sightedness and little if no empathy for the European people. The disgraceful treatment of the Greeks and the Italians and frankly any country that comes a cropper financially will be the downfall of the EU. There is no communitaire spirit, it's really all about the advantages accruing to Germany and France, frankly the rest of the EU can go hang,. The UK got fed up paying for EU largesse with very little back in return, even now the French presume to catch British fish as of right. The EU for the British has been a disaster, the theft of our industries by Germany and the grubbing up of our agriculture facilitated by France. A malign and self serving organisation, the British were right to leave and even more right to insist on her sovereign rights. The EU is a nightmare of unelected functionaires, deaf, dumb and blind to the needs of their educated electorate. The EU's forcing and bullying in terms of compliance and the mountains of red tape that comes with it needs to be challanged. China has a fraction of the requirements enforced on EU countries. I don't see China suffering or being challenged. No, the EU chooses to handicap its own members and allow China a free range, what more evidence do you need that the EU is bad for Europe?
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Desmond wong Mar 6, 2020

Well, EU today really doesn't help much, at least not as influential as 19th or even 20th century.As a HongKonger, I can say I feel desperate on EU actions and attitude towards China and Hong Kong. President Macron, I know it is no easy task to reform whole political and economic system in France, it needs courage and determination. One of my "suggestion" is the majority (I guess 99% )of the undergraduate student in China and Hong Kong will not put France as their first choice as their further studies or exchange country because of the poor security, language and recognition in career. I truly hope that France can become one of the superpower again in the future. Viva la France.
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Mauricio Duran-Loriga Apr 12, 2019

1) Britons voted out. Respect their freedom and their mandate. #FREE_BRITAIN

2) In the last quarter of the XXth century, the word "Europe" inspired unfettered hope among the European population. Today "Europe" is tantamount to chronic heaviness.

3) Brexit is the greatest threat so far against the legions of unelected officials who ruin Europe day after day.

4) The political stature among European leaders is so desperately low that Brexit has filled the last three years of their tenure, as if Europeans had no real problems 24/7.

Vous n'avez pas honte, Monsieur le Président?
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Markus Schumann Apr 4, 2019

DE (EN see below)
Wir, die Völker Europas, sind es leid, durch Brüssel (und US "think" tanks) zerlegt und durch Massenimmigration gefährdet zu werden. Die EWG, die EG, die Währungsschlange waren gute Einrichtungen. Maastricht und Lissabon, also Euro und EU, sind es nicht.

Macron vermischt erneut "Europa" und "EU". Die sogenannten EU-"Eliten" wollen einen Superstaat nach US-Vorbild, Zensur und Druck nach innen, Nachgiebigkeit gegenüber den USA und Afrika nach außen. Der Euro und Schengen haben Europa geschadet, jedem einzigen Volk, selbst den Franzosen als Hauptinteressenten. "2008" wäre ohne den Euro glimpflicher verlaufen, "2015" war möglicherweise die Hauptursache für den Brexit.

Macrons Vorschläge sind zum Teil alt, zum Teil unausgegoren, in jedem Fall gefährlich.
Kommentare verbannen ist Zensur, mehr nicht. Die Regierungen fürchten, ihr Meinungsmonopol durch Fernsehen und Rundfunk zu verlieren.

Europa kann mit den USA und China mithalten, selbstverständlich. Wenn man aber wie Merkel und nun Macron meint, die "Rettung Afrikas" (die wir nicht stemmen können) ginge vor, geht uns die Kraft aus. Zum "Klimawandel" als Motor der Geldverschiebung von der Bevölkerung zu Banken und Hochfinanz (Macron = Rothschild) ist genug gesagt.

Im übrigen:
Warum sollten die Briten keinen Zugang zum EU-Markt haben? Die Schweiz und Norwegen sind außerhalb der EU, es geht ihnen prächtig, und sie treiben (natürlich) Handel mit uns.

EN (DE see on top)
We, the people of Europe, are fed up with Brussels' (and US "think" tanks) destruction, not the least by forced mass immigration. ECC, EC and the "currency snake" (in the tunnel) were good institutions. Maastricht and Lisbon, i.e. Euro and EU, are not.

Macron again mixes up "Europe" and "EU". The so-called EU-"Elites" want a US-inspired superstate, censorship and pressure within, compliance to US and Africa without.
Euro and Schengen have harmed Europe, each and every country, even France as the main pursuer. "2008" would have had far less impact without the Euro, "2015" was the probable main reason for Brexit.

Macron's suggestions are partly old, partly half-baked, in any case dangerous.
To ban comments is just plain censorship. European governments are fearing to lose their monopoly on public opinion, upheld by state-TV; that's all.

Europe can keep up with the USA and China, of course. If, however, Merkel and now Macron see Europe as the "Saviour of Africa" (a rôle we will not be able to fill), we shall lose our power there, futilely. The "climate change" as engine to divert money from us the people to them the banks and high finance (Macron = Rothschild) has been covered elsewhere.

Finally:
Why should Britons (Scots etc.) not get access to the EU market? Switzerland and Norway are outside EU, they do splendidly and they trade with EU , of course.
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Rui Rodrigues Apr 3, 2019

Why not address the creation of a multi-track EU, where nation states can participate in the EU at different levels of integration and enjoy consumerate rights, benefits and in many cases make proportional budgetary contributions. I think this is what George Soros suggested.
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Henk Crop Mar 15, 2019

It is good that Germany has followed with their vision on the future of the EU, as presented by CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK) in Politico.
AKK as well as Macron want a stronger EU, however the classic difference appeared again.
Should the EU become a Superstate or should it continue on its current basis, the Confederation ? The Confederation where the sovereign Nations are the basis for the EU.
The Nations retain their identity but cooperate as much as possible.
In his sea of words M does not mention that word but all his measures are aimed at making the EU a centralized Superstate, controlled by Institutions. The EU will then be governed by the Franco-German axis.
France always thinks along these lines, as it would make the EU a successor to the French empire that for many centuries dominated Europe. Not just a country but a civilization that was felt to be superior. According to de Gaulle, the EU integration was the tool for France to regain what it lost in the battle of Waterloo, a position as leading Nation.
I do not mind discussing such an option in a public debate. However what is misleading is that such a plan is not clearly presented, but it is hidden in the proposals made by M.
Fortunally AKK has noticed that and has rightfully rejected such proposals.
M claims that "the peoples will really take back control of their future".
However with centralization, more institutions and concentration of power in the axis, the opposite will happen.
Almost all EU members have a long history, they have their own language and culture.
Many have at some time been occupied by France, Germany or Russia, which usually was accompanied by repression and plunder.
The French elite should ask themselves why would EU countries be led into another occupation ?
France, with their approach, causes misstrust in the EU and it thereby hurts the EU project.
- Henk Crop Mar 26, 2019
  
  The publication by mrs. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is titled "Getting Europe Right".
  www.cdu.de/artikel/getting-europe-right.
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Mar 11, 2019

This comment was removed by a moderator. Replies to this comment may also be deleted. Please note that we moderate comments to ensure the conversation remains topically relevant. We appreciate well-informed comments and welcome your criticism and insight. Please be civil and avoid name-calling and ad hominem remarks.
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Jean-Pierre Dumas Mar 10, 2019

Well, a lot of bureaucratic institutions to do what? A European Agency for Democracy, a European Council of Internal Security, a European Climate Bank, a European Food Safety Force, a European Innovation Council...There are already an EC, a Council of Ministers why add so many useless institutions?

At last E. Macron does not mention its European budget which is another source of additional expenditure for countries overburdened by spending and deficits.
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Jean-Pierre Dumas Mar 10, 2019

This is a notable change from its La Sorbonne speech
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Jean-Pierre Dumas Mar 10, 2019

One way of reducing incitements to hate and personal violence might be to oblige internet media (facebook and others) to publish only opinions with the real name of the author. No more anonymity.
- jonathan Story Mar 10, 2019
  
  I agree.
  - Jean-Pierre Dumas Mar 10, 2019
    
    Thanks
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Frank Weyhers Mar 10, 2019

Macron redet viel und sagt nichts Neues.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Lucke zerpflückt dessen Reformvorstoß
Https://lkr.de/a-allgemein/macron/
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Henk Crop Mar 9, 2019

I appreciate that Macron presents his vision on the EU and his proposal to develop a road map.
The EU has declined in populairity and also Brexit is a warning signal.
However I think that has been mainly caused by Brussels and the national europhiles.
The project has moved too fast and a bridge too far. Uncontrolled, by an ever closing Union approach, heading for an EUSSR.
The common market has been a tremendous achievement and it still is the most valuable asset of the EU. But many projects launched over the past 20 years have been less successful and have cost lots of money.

Macron wants to expand the market with measures on freedom, protection and progress.
Freedom: Every member should protect its own security against cyber attack, foreign finance, incitement to violence. But it should maintain freedom of speech. Perhaps a coordinating EU office could be useful.

Protection of the EU: This is a project where the EU has completely messed up. Schengen was introduced without border control operational. Asylum procedures take 10 years or more. Illegal immigrants are hardly deported. Some cities have more than 50 % immigrants. Loss of cohesion, increase of crime. Macron and other politicians have to commit themselves and state when they have brought this disaster under control. Laws and treaties have to be altered. Just another agency is not enough.
Financial Protection: Measures are needed to prepare the Eurozone for the next financial downturn, without transforming it into a transfer Union. The EU has a Euro 2600 trillion debt.
Defence Protection: Relationship with Russia should be normalized.

Progress: Industry is working on that everyday. Countries like Germany, Netherlands, UK, Sweden and Denmark rank in the top 10 on the Global Competitiveness Index.
The EU could improve it's competitiveness when people in all members learnt the english language.
The orientation towards Africa is incomprehensable. The days of colonalization are long gone. They have trouble in Africa: high birthrate and poor government. However they are all sovereign nations and only they can solve that.
Orientation on the USA is more comprehensable as it still is our major partner.
- jonathan Story Mar 10, 2019
  
  We are watching a revolution conducted from above. Europe’s revolution is special in the sense that the old regime is determined to overthrow itself without the consent of its peoples. This is the source of what European élites call the populist revolt. See my blog:
  https://storybookreview.wordpress.com/2018/09/30/europes-revolution-the-unintended-consequences-of-good-intentions/
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nielschristianclausen Mar 9, 2019

Non Macron. Vous avez mal compris les leçons de Adenauer et De Gaulle.
Vous êtes élu serviteur du peuple français et non pas directeur des états européens.
- Markus Schumann Apr 4, 2019
  
  Oui! D'accord, M. Clausen.
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Theodore Schrader Mar 8, 2019

I'm afraid Mr. Macron and his documented technocratic aloofness and elitism make him an in-the-flesh recruitment poster for populist, nativist parties across Europe.
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Raja Rajamani Mar 8, 2019

All theories here. No plans for action. Let Macron list out in numbers what actions needs to be done, by when, by whom , what cost, and who will bear the cost.

I feel there may be two levels of membership. The seniors comprising of Germany, France, Italy, Spain and. (If it returns) UK. These provide the leadership and direction. A single vote each in this table for the new , Hanseatic League , Balkans and Central Europe. So totally 8 member compact decision making body.

I can go on. I feel 27 members and each with a veto was a big mistake. A good organization corrects its mistakes. Otherwise it breaks up or becomes disfunctional.
- Henk Crop Mar 9, 2019
  
  Raja. I agree with you that the EU should have an EU management team, grouped around the EU President. But one representative for Eastern Europe and the Balkans. They are way behind in economic and democratic/institutional development. The EU should set up development programs tied to the needs of each member. Economic development can easily take half a century.
  Veto's should only be applied in limited situations. The EU is a cooperation of sovereign members, not a state.
  - Markus Schumann Apr 4, 2019
    
    Give them two votes, but let BeNeLux (founders!) have a ninth one (odd ensures majorities ;-)
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  - Heinz Günther Mar 9, 2019
    
    Development programs begin the moment that a state it considered a potential member. That is the reason for turkey to still negotiate a membership that will never happen.
    
    Depending on the stage of the progress, financial aid, consulting and tax reductions are applied.
    
    This process certainly does not stop after the integration as a member, which you can easily see in Poland. If one would research before comment!
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  - Heinz Günther Mar 9, 2019
    
    Hi Henk,
    
    The EU Council has three voting systems, simple majority, qualified majority and unanimity. Which is applied depends on the topic of decision.
    
    Qualified majority (55% of member states representing at least 65% of citizens) is the by far most often used voting system, applying to about 80% of the EUs legislation.
    
    See here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/voting-system/qualified-majority/
    
    So the Veto right is very limited.
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Slawomir Sierakowski Mar 8, 2019

Macron's striking technocratic tendencies represent a fundamental error. He is all agencies, treaties, and conferences. Macron betrays his mode of thinking in one of his statements: "Europe is not just an economic market. It is a project." But it is the market that is now more lively and more human than any kind of "project," even if the market often unfair. As one wise therapist put it, life is not a project. It is not without reason that we discuss the identity of states the same way we discuss people's identities. We will not revive the European Union by exchanging projects. The EU needs to generate interest. It needs an identity and real community instead of ever more meaningless agencies. Europe has already more than 20. In this only one piece, Macron proposed 4 more. The EU will never be sexy if it continues to be purely bureaucratic. Nevertheless, Macron deserves a great deal of respect for his tenacity and his creativity. Without Macron, there would be no debate on reforming the EU at all.
- Henk Crop Mar 9, 2019
  
  Slamowir. Well put. Also the EU Commission, unelected public officials, should focus more on serving the members instead of just writing binding regulations in the Berlaymont building.
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Adrian Wu Mar 8, 2019

Budget for the new European Innovation Council to spearhead new technological breakthroughs ? Perhaps call it Made in Europe 2025 ? Won't this attract the wrath and sanctions of the Americans ?
- Markus Schumann Apr 4, 2019
  
  Of course, it will.
  So it would, if.
  Hence, it won't.
  We are quite timid.
  Maybe, this is not so bad after all.
  But we should acknowledge.
  Frees you psychologically.
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Peter Schaeffer Mar 7, 2019

"This comment was removed by a moderator. Replies to this comment may also be deleted. Please note that we moderate comments to ensure the conversation remains topically relevant. We appreciate well-informed comments and welcome your criticism and insight. Please be civil and avoid name-calling and ad hominem remarks."

Censorship is the true essence of the "New Europe".
- Markus Schumann Apr 4, 2019
  
  Ah-oh.
  Knowing Mr. Schaeffer as being generally in line with my own thoughts, but having missed the comment, while alive, it seems PS has ceased to be an "open forum for debate" and aligns with Mr. Soros' view, certainly in unison with Macron.
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Henk Crop Mar 6, 2019

Great that Macron presents his ideas for an EU road-map (renaissance). He should be followed by other leaders in particular of Germany, Italy and the Hanseatic group with smaller members.
These ideas should be incorporated in the election programs of the parties in the EU parliament
On this basis the EU Council could develop a to-do list for the EU, which has support by the EU citizen.
It will also prevent the "ever closer Union" approaches by the, public officials, of the European Commission.
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Jonathan Engel Mar 6, 2019

President Macron is at least consistent with all the French Elite who preceded him, in his European vision thing. Unfortunately for him the French People, like those of other countries, when asked if they wanted the Treaty of Lisbon in a referendum said "NO".

The politicians said the people were an ignorant lot and went ahead anyway. This is the vision that Mr. Macron is pushing : that the people are an ignorant lot and that the Elite Enarchie knows better. Brexit was a bit the result of the same arrogance: putting some glove puppets in Brussels, each failed politicians in their own countries, in nominal charge of affairs, to cover for a small army of variously competent, but entirely un-elected bureaucrats who supervised the gumming up of any progress with "norms", "regulations" and red tape in general, worthy of a hybrid between "Yes Minister" and the "Goon Show".

Mr President takes the view that everyone has benefited from the Euro. The Centre for European Policy in Freiburg seems to disagree as concerns all countries bar Germany and Holland. Mr. President seems to assume that he is standing, more or less alone, against the "brown shirting" of the "Europe of voters". This seems to be a position likely to reflect his own hubris rather than the real concerns of voters, who are the "shareholders" of the Europe of Countries he is so disdainful of.
- Henk Crop Mar 9, 2019
  
  Jonathan. Well put. The voters are their "shareholders" as well as "their customers".
  They like to address them as, no good, populists or nationalists.
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Peter McLoughlin Mar 6, 2019

‘The trap’ is humanity has still not accepted the true cause of war:
• Power, (manifested as interest) was present in very conflict in history – no exception. It is the underlying motivation for war. Interest cuts across all apparently unifying principles: family, kin, nation, religion, ideology, politics - everything. We unite with the enemies of our principles, because that is what serves our interest. It is the one thing we will destroy ourselves for, as well as everyone else.
• History shows that every civilization/nation eventually gets the war it is trying to avoid: utter defeat. This applies as much today as any other time in history.
• Leaders and decision-makers delude themselves, blindly repeating the pattern of history. That is why we are on course for another world war – nuclear war.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/
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Carl Bildt Mar 6, 2019

President Macron gives new impetus to the necessary debate about Europe’s future challenges. On present trajectory we risk become a play-board, rather than being a player, in the global great power competition. President Macron helps us to see the necessity of doing better.
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Erik Berglöf Mar 6, 2019

Another inspiring intervention on Europe from President Emmanuel Macron. Rich in concrete proposals on common public goods. But does he have any credibility left after domestic missteps? Perhaps the kind of grand "debat" in Europe he proposes can help rebuild trust.
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Sebastian BELZ Mar 6, 2019

President Macron is absolutely right in his position. It is of highest importance to develop a positive picture for the future of Europe. Its nations cultural diversity, their differing heritages and habits are no danger for one another at all, but an enrichment for life, that furthermore has got the potential to stabilise the Continent in a globalised context much more than in the past.

These days nationalistic populists try to undermine the content in and trustworthiness of the EU by fuelling fears and hatred with many lies. Never ever in history a "my nation first" policy led to a success- and peaceful future in a sustainable sense. Our planet has got much more urgent problems to solve than persisting historic conflicts.

Unfortunately the generation of people with life knowledge of WWII are about to leave the stage. It is the obligation of our present generation to maintain their unique, epic experiences and transform them into a rational future setting, where welfare, safety and equality for every human is guaranteed. During the past decades we made some progresses in this respect, but we have to perpatuate this for much longer. I am very confident, that we will manage to do so, we just mustn´ t take ever anything for granted!

Cher Emannuel, if I was French, I certainly would vote for you directly. Hence being a European of German origin, I will do so indirectly. Always at your service.

Vive l´ Europe! Es lebe Europa! Long live Europe!
Yours S. Belz
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jagjeet sinha Mar 6, 2019

CLUB WEST IS NOT FRANCE & GERMANY ONLY
President Macron perhaps is the hope that European Union needed.
By overthrowing the Establishment when he won, democracy took centre stage.
Not very different from the reasons why Brexit and Brexit plus plus won.
Faith in democracy had given hopes in France as in Britain and America.
Status quo was no longer acceptable.

This intervention by President Macron shows that Democracy works.
His statesmanship at this juncture is the hope Europe has.
The experience and wisdom derived from decades of EU needed action.
Europe, with 20 languages, cannot become America or Australia.
One Language Unions make federalism easy and inclusive.
Multiple languages require multiple MegaCities - hubs for inclusiveness.
Canada has two languages - hence Toronto and Montreal both hubs it needs.
In attempting to turn Brussels into Moscow, the EU can become EUSSR.
United Nations and ASEAN have New York and Singapore as headquarters.
Singapore doesn't aspire to become Moscow - just like Ottawa.
Europe needs several hubs, several Brussels - ensuring inclusiveness.
Inequalities bequeathed manifest themselves in depopulation of Regions.
The resultant consequences are unlimited migration - without Transfer Union.
Brexit was one consequence - nearly 2/3 of European migration headed for UK.
Commonwealth Preferences Area always had controlled migration - not unlimited.

Macron understanding of democracy represents hope.
Brexit should not have happened.
Brexit plus plus should not have happened.
Germany is opposed to Transfer Union - and will not permit its progress.
France is opposed to Agriculture Union - and protects its CAP.
Britain was opposed to Unlimited EU Migration - but unable to block it.

Peace n prosperity in Europe can have no expiry date.
Seven Decades since 1945 were underwritten by The Anglosphere.
Not Europe alone - in their bravado, France and Germany must be on guard.
Club West was never France and Germany alone - America and Britain too.
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Gene Frieda Mar 5, 2019

Finally the call to action that we had hoped for from Macron all along. While the call for a Conference on Europe is overdue and laudable, France also needs to lead by example given the propensity of Europe to get bogged down in endless debate and to add new agencies rather than reforming existing ones. History has generally shown such gatherings to be exercises in protecting parochial interests of individual countries. The call to action is exciting, but Macron needs to give other countries a reason to follow France.
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Douglas Leyendecker Mar 5, 2019

How do you solve a very large and very complicated problem? You generally do so by breaking it down into smaller more manageable parts. Singapore doesn't need a giant land mass to be successful. Hong Kong didn't either. Israel? New Zealand? Why is bigger better? Why is combining different cultures with different languages supposed to work better? The Brexit challenge makes it obvious there is no easy way out of this bureaucratic mess.
- Rolf Wasén Mar 8, 2019
  
  Agree, by inducing a systemiska error the chance of success in considerably diminished
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Angel Gavieiro Mar 5, 2019

Yes, it was about time that an EU political leader makes a clear and rotund stance for Europe, the EU, the Euro and, in sum, the project post-WWII that has achieved a level of peace, prosperity and freedom in this continent unprecedented in its history.
It is easy to lose historical context in the day-to-day, year-to-year, but when you look generation-to-generation the light switches on: my grandfathers as many of those from European readers fought in the XX century wars, and like them many from prior generations... that is was the lesson learned that led to the current EU and must not be ever forgotten, because we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy, at least, as good peace, freedom and standard of living as our current generation has enjoyed... anything less than that should be failure for us, Europeans.
Thus, let’s lift our heads and feel pride for this project, despite its human deficiencies and failures, and let’s unite to make it better day-by-day, year-by-year and generation-by-generation.
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Helmut K. Anheier Mar 5, 2019

Bravo, President Macron for laying out your vision for Europe! The future has always belonged to visionaries capable of making concreate proposals that lead to action and then progress. So “yes” to the three proposals: to the protection of democracy, to a common defense, and to pro-active governance. Like all worthwhile visions, these proposals will be contested and meet much criticism – which is necessary to help sharpen the focus and increase chances of success for the European project. What we need now is a coalition of the willing in a dual sense: willing to carry the vision forward - and willing to bear the consequences knowing that any political payoff may be years away!
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Jacek Rostowski Mar 5, 2019

1. Fixing the Eurozone by enabling it to have a proper countercyclical fiscal policy. At a minimum this requires having a European Fiscal Stance (I.e. fiscally strong nations must be required to spend during Europe-wide downturns. So that this does not become a “Transfer Union” they can spend within their own borders, but spend they must).
2. Military expendure has to be increased, first to 2% of GDP as mandated by NATO, and then progressively to 2.5% and 3%.
Jacek Rostowski
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Peter Schaeffer Mar 5, 2019

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Now we know what Europe is really about. Censorship and oppression. Mikhail Gorbachev famously said: 'The most puzzling development in modern politics is the apparent determination of Western European leaders to re-create the Soviet Union in Western Europe.' That's a good summary of Macron's plan. The EUSSR.
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Raymond Tan Mar 5, 2019

"Society will develop a new kind of servitude which covers the surface of society with a network of complicated rules, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate. It does not tyrannise but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd."

Alexis de Tocqueville
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j. von Hettlingen Mar 5, 2019

Emmanuel Macron’s long commentary no doubt kickstarts the debate ahead of the European Parliament elections in May. He proposes how to “renew” Europe and rid the EU of its toxic load, that has become a breeding ground for a populist and nationalist cancer that is devouring the bloc.
Of all the many good ideas he elaborates, one is the most essential of all – to revive the idea of a multi-speed Europe, a continent which is economically and culturally diverse. It does more harm to maintain “a static Europe” than to opt for a Europe “that advances” even “sometimes at different paces,” but one “that is open to all.” Those countries that want to move forward, should be able to do so, without being held back by other states that can’t catch up for domestic reasons.
While Macron criticises Britain for seeing the EU as merely a big “market” that it wants to be part of, he also hopes that Brions who voted to leave the EU might return to the European fold one day, when there is room for the UK to “find its true place.”
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Keith Roberts Mar 5, 2019

I agree that this is a fine statement. But the issue of EU democracy is a thorny one. One person one vote? One State one vote? One region one vote? One Hungarian or Polish dictator one vote? One commenter proposes a US-style approach, but that is proving quite problematic in the US. I am also concerned about his proposal for a grand meeting to hash out all the issues. It seems to me that such grand meetings accomplish little other than giving ignorant or nasty loudmouths a platform they haven't earned. Why not proceed along the path he has suggested, but piece by piece. Starting, I suggest, with the security agency.
- Keith Roberts Mar 5, 2019
  
  I meant to add that summits designed to fine tune or ratify the long, hard work of ministerial subordinates is a different matter.
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Raymond Tan Mar 5, 2019

This man struggles to lead his own country where he was elected but he will be the One to lead Europe...what has he done so far to lead his country on a path of unity, economic strength and climate awareness that would have us think he is ready for a larger challenge?

Shouldn’t one excel at the job they were hired to do before we promote them?
- Rolf Wasén Mar 9, 2019
  
  I am not sure whether ”climate awareness” is a good approach. Guess that employment in modernity is the ultimate challenge. So far nothing substantial has been achieved.
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fpr Mar 5, 2019

Finally some common sense leadership for Europe! Germany should analyze and scrutinize all these proposals and check out whether is worthwhile to pursue and join an enthusiastic narrative which escape them in the midst of the € crisis.
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Éloi Laurent Mar 5, 2019

French Presidents generally hold two views of Europe: a place where what they are unable to do in France is possible (Europe as a better France), and a place where what they are able to do in France should be replicated (Europe as a greater France). Emmanuel Macron in essence calls for a “Great European debate” to circumvent populism, exactly what he has done with his “Great National debate” to counter the “yellow vests” movement. He also calls for stronger European climate action, but France’s emissions have been on the rise for the last three years and the energy transition in France is, according to existing estimates, 90% off the mark (https://www.ofce.sciences-po.fr/pdf/pbrief/2019/OFCEpbrief52.pdf ). But the main problem of this text remains its final words: Emmanuel Macron, alone, offers to “chart together” the road to European renewal. In a way, this is unity.
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Wim Nusselder Mar 5, 2019

Good initiative and general direction.
Not all concrete ideas are equally good (understatement).
Partly due to a negative underlying message ('defend, protect, recover').
'Inspire and empower' is the underlying message that is needed!
'Not for our own interests (this time), but for humanity as a whole' is a required addition to merit a global leadership role for Europe.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/make-europe-great-last-wim-nusselder
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Ragnar Olegard Mar 5, 2019

Macron is mostly right in his overall analysis of Europes problems and possibilities, the African thing I do´nt understand. But the democratic deficit is the problem. To get democratic acceptance
of the EU , the present commission and parliament should be replaced by a two- chamber parliament with a "House of representatives" to which every citizen would have one vote, and a "Senat" to which every participating country would have equal mandates unrelated to each countrys population size. This would resemble the US system. This would be the lawmaking assemblies. These assemblies could then appoint a government with a prime minister or a President with executive tasks. A President chosen directly by one person one vote would be problematic due to the differences in population sizes of the member states. To this has to be added a Supreme Court to interpret the constitution and other legislation.
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Daniel Gros Mar 5, 2019

This contribution by the President of France is what Europe needs. Finally a leader who does not say that Europe is responsible for what goes wrong and that national politics can take credit for every success. On this basis we should now start a debate on the detailed proposals. The main danger will be to avoid the slippery slope from a 'Europe that protects' to a European protectionism. The European economy will be stronger if its subject to vigorous global competition, even if that competition might at times appear unfair to some.
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jorma saloniemi Mar 5, 2019

From the Finnish point of view Macron has made the best contribution for years to carry on European cooperation.

He identifies the hardships of Europe and proposes solutions: 1) Reform of European liberal democracy. There are many problems to solve. 2) To prevent populist extreme right parties to receive financial and infowar support from Russia. This is important because Russia aims at devolution of EU. 3) To reduce the influence and power of American big tech in Europe. 4) To increase and coordinate military capacity of EU-countries in order to meet the challenge presented by Russia and USA. These are important factors in EU with deepeding functions of internal market area.
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