Democracy over authoritarianism – Macron

STRASBOURG: French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday urged the EU to reform itself in order to offer better protection for its citizens in a world troubled by wars and authoritarian regimes.

The 40-year-old leader, who wants to play a key leadership role in the EU, outlined his vision for Europe’s future in a speech at the Strasbourg-based European Parliament.

Macron said democracy was the “best chance” for the EU to fight against rising nationalism on the continent.

“Faced with authoritarianism, the answer is not democratic authoritarianism but the authority of democracy,” he said.

Macron called for an energetic campaign for the European Parliament election in May 2019 as the EU also deals with the challenges of Britain’s departure.

He told EU lawmakers it was important “to have a democratic, critical debate on what Europe is about”.

Macron said citizens “want a new project” for the EU which addresses their concerns and fears in a world in which allies such as the US are turning their backs on multilateral trade and climate change pacts.

All EU countries, except Britain and Hungary, have agreed to seek the opinions of their citizens on the EU’s future through debates and online consultations.

Macron was to attend a debate on Europe in the eastern town of Epinal later yesterday.

Speaking after Macron, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU wasn’t just a club led by France and Germany.

Juncker said Macron’s arrival in power in France had given new hope to the world’s biggest trading bloc. But he recalled that “Europe is an ensemble”, even with Britain set to leave the EU next year.

Macron will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin tomorrow, as France and Germany aim to agree on proposals for EU reforms by June.

During Macron’s speech, some European lawmakers raised placards reading “Stop the war in Syria” and “Hands off Syria” to protest against airstrikes by the US, Britain and France on chemical weapons facilities in Syria on Saturday. – AP

JEAN FRANCOIS BADIAS/AP/ANA French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by European Parliament president Antonio Tajani on his arrival at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, yesterday.