Thread by @Louis_Drounau

Interesting read about #EmmanuelMacron's vision for Europe and concept of European power, by @RymMomtaz via @POLITICOEurope.
A few comments in this thread👇 #IamEuropean 🇪🇺
politico.eu/article/emmanu…

"The idea was to create a strategy of influence, which means we can [...] write papers with other countries." Then why don't you? Why the total opposition to #Spitzenkandidat and not reform it? Why the solo position on #NorthMacedonia? Or the solo tribune before #EUelections?

"[Macron] established the @RenewEurope group in the European Parliament; positioned close allies at the helm of the ECB and European Council." But where is #France in the Directorate-Generals? Or as "DirCab"? Where is all the middle management that Germany has groomed patiently?

“Evidently, creating leadership also means creating friction” But it certainly doesn't need to. #Leadership isn't always "pushing people around and being loud". Leaders can work in consultation, influence and foster group work.

“When the president speaks loudly, his objective isn’t to ruffle feathers.” But it always does. How about remembering #TheodoreRoosevelt? "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Speaking loudly with no stick isn't leadership.

"Asked what Macron would choose to tackle if he could just push through one reform next year, @CBeaune answers “migration.”" For that and many other topics, it is essential to do away with #consensus and #unanimity. I do not recall @EmmanuelMacron supporting this change. Does he?

"The EU’s inability to find a solution [...] is an example of its “habit of inertia and indecision” on urgent issues." No, it's that every Member State looks at its own electorate before thinking of European citizens. This is the way the @EUCouncil works and it needs reform.

“Europe has to get used to wielding power itself” Yes, but then Member States must give that power to democratic EU institutions, and not expect to keep it in 28 separate hands. #TreatyChange must shift relevant national power to the EU level.

I realise this thread may seem overly critical; it is not meant to be. But this article reaffirms the stance that we observe: instead of bringing people together and agreeing to go past consensus decisions, @EmmanuelMacron wants to forge ahead and implement his Sorbonne speech.

There is a lot to support in the Sorbonne speech and a lot I personally agree with. But the method matters, the way we do things matters. And if a large country is always playing alone, its good ideas will be rejected. Not based on content, but out of spite.

Governance works when a legitimate gov leads action and the people's representatives discuss & agree. The Commission isn't yet that gov and no single country can act as such. We need a stronger @EU_Commission, a stronger @Europarl_EN, and for the @EUCouncil to take a step back.