EU can’t leave poorest in slow lane, Mr Macron

THE timing of French President Emmanuel Macron’s warning that Europe risks being torn apart by a civil war between the liberal and authoritarian democracies is portentous. Only days after playing a role in America’s bombing of Syria, the French leader issued an appeal to conjure up the spirit of those who put Europe back together after World War II. “I don’t want to be part of a generation of sleepwalkers. A generation that has forgotten its past,” he declared to applause in Strasbourg.

He said the EU must “build a new European sovereignty” and embark on much-needed reforms to save the bloc. He railed against “where selfish interests sometimes appear more important than what unites Europe”.

Clearly he had Hungary and Poland in mind when he said Europe was in the grips of “a fascination with the illiberal”.

Brussels is understandably at odds with Warsaw over Poland’s controversial judicial reforms and there are also concerns about the rule of law in Hungary after strongman Viktor Orban’s election campaign success, secured by stoking fears over immigration. Mr Macron said national selfishness could lead the continent “to the abyss”.

There is more than one route into disaster, however. Mr Macron’s case would be all the stronger had he not chosen to ignore international law by launching missile strikes on Syria. Given that he backed Donald Trump, it was surprising to see him take a side swipe at his ally. “We share so much with this country but this country has rejected multi-lateralism, free trade and climate change,” he said.

Slating Mr Trump at one point and then backing him to the hilt at the next sends out mixed messages which undermine the notion of European unanimity and identity.

Many of the reforms Mr Macron would champion are well rehearsed. He said Brexit must not derail EU spending, suggesting a tax could be levied for the EU Budget.

Yet keeping competing national interests in check within a 28-member bloc requires agreement and consensus. Setting a pace that will not leave poorer economies in the slow lane demands buy-in across the board. Mr Macron’s oratory might be first rate, but reaching out and working together is the proven way to move forward in uncertain times.