Since January 1, 2022, France has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, for a period of six months. Today, Emmanuel Macron traveled to Strasbourg to deliver his inauguration speech to MEPs. The least we can say is that he made a strong impression.
The French president booed upon his arrival
« Climate, climate, guilty Macron! cried environmental activists as Emmanuel Macron walked alongside Roberta Metsola, the new speaker of Parliament.
Emmanuel Macron booed when he arrives at the European Parliament pic.twitter.com/gtMv2pLRzu
— CNEWS (@CNEWS) January 19, 2022
Yannick Jadot, EELV candidate, was offensive, awarding Emmanuel Macron the title of ” president of climate inaction ». « It is not enough to proclaim oneself pro-European to serve Europe “, he added once morest him. A few minutes later, the French president assured in his speech, that it was necessary ” move from intentions to action “. Just three months from the presidential election, it’s ambitious.
A noteworthy speech…
Emmanuel Macron had thirty minutes to present his vision of Europe to his audience. What he said in a nutshell:
« Democracy » : give the European Parliament the right to initiate legislation;
Weather : legislate once morest imported deforestation / apply a carbon tax at borders;
Use : reducing inequalities between women and men / guaranteeing a minimum wage / investing in digital technology;
Security : reforming the Schengen area / developing a “ rapid reaction force to protect the external borders / to create a new security order in Europe with NATO, to counter Russia;
International relationships : EU-Africa summit in February / show up “ closed with the UK.
« Our generations have to rebuild our Europe. We have to give ourselves the means to make Europe a power of the future, of balance. “, he ended by declaring.
…and criticized
The reviews went full steam ahead following the speech. Jordan Bardella, MEP and president of the National Rally, delivered a clear message that he shared on the networks: ” Mr Macron, your Europe has become Washington’s backyard, Beijing’s prey, Erdogan’s doormat and Africa’s hotel. From your mandate, only cynicism and contempt will remain: for France as for Europe, it is vital that it remains unique. »
For their part, the MEPs Manuel Bompard and Manon Aubry, both of La France insoumise, distinguished themselves with short and powerful speeches:
President of sovereignty, climate and freedoms? Mr. #Macron, no one is fooled by your promises. Fortunately in 3 months, the French can rid Europe of them. We count on them to allow you, in turn, to take a vacation in Ibiza! #MacronMenteur pic.twitter.com/ovbeKmeB7B
—Manuel Bompard (@mbompard) January 19, 2022
Not everyone stayed till the end
Some time later, when he was supposed to answer questions from MEPs at a press conference, Emmanuel Macron preferred to continue the statements, refusing questions. The reaction of the journalists present on the spot was not long in coming: they left the room.
Macron’s coronation as Europe’s emperor is off to a good start as European journalists left the room to protest once morest his decision to settle for a 4-minute monologue instead of answering their questions as planned…#MacronMenteur pic.twitter.com/xBAjG8LJYH
— Marcel (@realmarcel1) January 19, 2022
The French president intended to capitalize on this semester of presidency, with a view to his probable candidacy for re-election: this decried performance illustrates his positions and postures, and the strong criticism they arouse. Will he keep this horizon for the election, or will he descend into the French arena for his presidential campaign?
See also: Presidential: Macron defends the European rule of law, the opposition curbs it (AFP)
