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'Profound transformation': Macron lays out vision for post-Brexit EU Macron lays out vision for 'profound' changes in post-Brexit EU
(35 minutes later)
Emmanuel Macron has set out his vision for a “profound transformation” of the European Union, unveiling a series of proposals on Tuesday designed to deepen the bloc politically and harmonise rules across the continent. Emmanuel Macron has set out his vision of a “profound transformation” of the EU, unveiling a series of proposals designed to deepen the bloc politically and harmonise rules.
“The Europe that we know is too weak, too slow, too inefficient,” the French president said in an address at the Sorbonne university in Paris. “But Europe alone can give us the ability to act in the world faced with big contemporary challenges.” “The Europe that we know is too weak, too slow, too inefficient,” the French president said in an address at Sorbonne University in Paris. “But Europe alone can give us the ability to act in the world, faced with big contemporary challenges.”
Macron’s proposals for a post-Brexit shake-up include giving the 19-member eurozone a finance minister, a budget and a parliament, as well as creating a Europe-wide “rapid reaction force” to work with national armies. Macron’s proposals for a post-Brexit shake-up include giving the 19-member eurozone a finance minister, budget and parliament, as well as creating a Europe-wide “rapid reaction force” to work with national armies.
He called for a new tax on technology giants such as Facebook and Apple – which are accused of paying too little corporate tax on their businesses in Europe – and an EU-wide asylum agency to deal with the migrant crisis. He called for a new tax on technology companies such as Facebook and Apple, which are accused of paying too little corporatation tax in Europe, and an EU-wide asylum agency to deal with the migration crisis.
Macron also raised the prospect of major changes to the common agricultural policy, the EU’s giant farm-subsidy programme, which historically has been defended by France and its powerful agricultural lobbies. Macron also raised the prospect of major changes to the common agricultural policy, the EU’s farm subsidy programme, which has historically been defended by France and its powerful agricultural lobbies.
In the eurosceptic imagination there is a place called Brussels that issues diktats about straight bananas and European armies. In reality, there are 28 European Union member states, soon to be 27, with a smorgasbord of political traditions and priorities.In the eurosceptic imagination there is a place called Brussels that issues diktats about straight bananas and European armies. In reality, there are 28 European Union member states, soon to be 27, with a smorgasbord of political traditions and priorities.
The breadth of EU membership explains why the depth of integration is always contested. In theory, 27 countries (excluding Britain) agree on the priorities for the next decade: stronger eurozone institutions to protect the single currency, joined-up action on migration and defence, a free-trading continent that is not “naive” about foreign competition. The difficulty is they do not agree how to get there. Take the eurozone: France and Germany agree on further integration, including a eurozone finance minister and European monetary fund, but disagree on how much risk should be shared. Or migration: every EU member state wants more “solidarity”. Solidarity for Italy and Greece means other countries taking in more refugees. Solidarity for Hungary means tougher action to protect the EU’s external borders.The breadth of EU membership explains why the depth of integration is always contested. In theory, 27 countries (excluding Britain) agree on the priorities for the next decade: stronger eurozone institutions to protect the single currency, joined-up action on migration and defence, a free-trading continent that is not “naive” about foreign competition. The difficulty is they do not agree how to get there. Take the eurozone: France and Germany agree on further integration, including a eurozone finance minister and European monetary fund, but disagree on how much risk should be shared. Or migration: every EU member state wants more “solidarity”. Solidarity for Italy and Greece means other countries taking in more refugees. Solidarity for Hungary means tougher action to protect the EU’s external borders.
For most countries, tax and military spending are closely tied up to national sovereignty, so there is reluctance to cede too much control to EU processes. Europe has always been about compromise. But compromises can be harder to find in a bigger club.For most countries, tax and military spending are closely tied up to national sovereignty, so there is reluctance to cede too much control to EU processes. Europe has always been about compromise. But compromises can be harder to find in a bigger club.
The French president is desperate for Angela Merkel’s endorsement of his reform agenda, but his plans were dealt a blow by the result of the general election in Germany, which saw the anti-immigration, eurosceptic Alternative für Deutschland emerge as the country’s third-largest party. The French president is desperate for Angela Merkel’s endorsement of his reform agenda, but his plans were dealt a blow by the result of the German federal election, in which the anti-immigration, Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany became the country’s third-largest party.
Merkel must now try form a government that is likely to include the Free Democrats (FDP), whose leader is an outspoken critic of Macron’s European agenda and has said a eurozone budget would be a “red line”. Merkel must try to form a government that is likely to include the Free Democratic party, whose leader is an outspoken critic of Macron’s European agenda and has said a eurozone budget would be a “red line”.
Macron appeared to respond directly to FDP leader Christian Lindner on Tuesday, saying: “I don’t have red lines, I only have horizons.” Macron appeared to respond directly to the FDP leader, Christian Lindner, on Tuesday, saying: “I don’t have red lines, I only have horizons.”
Along with Brexit and the German election, Macron’s proposals are likely to top the agenda at a two-day summit of the EU’s 28 members in Estonia, which begins on Thursday. Along with Brexit and the German election, Macron’s proposals are likely to top the agenda at an EU summit in Estonia this week.
Cooperation from Germany – the other half of the “Franco-German motor” at the heart of the bloc – is essential, although Macron will need to convince other European partners. German cooperation is essential, but the French president will need to convince other European partners.