President Macron speaking now outlining his intentions for France’s presidency of the Council of the EU, which starts 1 January.
Macron says he wants to set up a decision-making body for the Schengen Area like the Eurogroup for the Eurozone.
It would take decisions on emergency actions and Frontex missions at EU borders (a step toward EU external border management).
It would take decisions on emergency actions and Frontex missions at EU borders (a step toward EU external border management).
Macron says the suspension of EU budgetary rules for the pandemic needs to end, and EU states need to get back to convergence.
But “we can’t pretend like nothing’s happened”. Budget rules should be less stringent (a long time French ask).
But “we can’t pretend like nothing’s happened”. Budget rules should be less stringent (a long time French ask).
EU needs to become the global champion in merging economic development and climate progress, Macron says.
But this will require a carbon border tax (#CBAM) to make sure companies don’t move production outside EU to avoid climate constraints and “preserve our competitiveness”.
But this will require a carbon border tax (#CBAM) to make sure companies don’t move production outside EU to avoid climate constraints and “preserve our competitiveness”.
The EU must move forward with the proposal for a real defence union , Macron says, if Europeans want to be sovereign [and not dependent on the United States].
The time for European self-defence capacity is long overdue.
The time for European self-defence capacity is long overdue.
Macron says the EU must agree on a new model of growth taking in the lessons of the pandemic. He will hold a summit in March to develop this new model.
Part of this will be en emphasis on quality work and a push for an EU-wide minimum wage, he says
Part of this will be en emphasis on quality work and a push for an EU-wide minimum wage, he says
Interestingly, when asked if it will be difficult to run EU presidency and reelection to French presidency at same time, Macron notes that this was an undesired accident.
Brexit messed up the timeline of EU presidencies, he says. Normally France would have avoided this overlap.
Brexit messed up the timeline of EU presidencies, he says. Normally France would have avoided this overlap.
One important caveat: very little of what Macron just talked about in that speech has anything to do with the actual powers conferred by the rotating EU presidency.
He is using the presidency as a springboard to push for his big ideas.
He is using the presidency as a springboard to push for his big ideas.
https://twitter.com/DaveKeating/status/1468892534420254721?s=20
So asking whether these things can be achieved in 6 months is missing the point. Macron will have no more power 1st half of 2022 than a French president has at any other time
But will Paris's focus on long-term visions mean they neglect their actual presidency duties in Council?
But will Paris's focus on long-term visions mean they neglect their actual presidency duties in Council?
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