On April 25, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe faces the risk of possible death if it does not take bold steps amid serious geopolitical threats. In his speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, where he emphasized the rapidly changing concept of the global order, Macron stated that the “death of Europe” is a real possibility. The French leader stressed that Europe has failed to invest enough in innovation, protect its industries and strengthen its defenses.
Noting that the risks of impoverishment are also high for Europe, the French leader emphasized that the European Union (EU) needs to remain strategically and technologically independent and that it needs a new growth and development strategy. Speaking about the post-conflict situation in Ukraine, Macron urged Europe to be ready to re-engage with Russia.
Macron said that the security system in Europe will help them to build neighborly relations with Russia after the conflict in Ukraine. Referring to the EU’s common defense strategy based on French nuclear weapons, Macron said:[1]
“‘We too have nuclear capability. This is at the heart of our defence strategy and is a key element in the defence of the European continent. Thanks to this capacity and this defence, we will be able to create the security guarantees that all our partners all over Europe expect. This will help us create a framework for common defence and security guarantees for all, which will allow us to build neighbourly relations with Russia.”
The French President did not provide a clear roadmap on how Europe could finance its transition towards becoming a power centre. He reiterated his support for new collective debt, similar to what the EU had during the pandemic, and suggested increasing the EU’s own resources with revenues from the EU’s carbon tax or financial transactions tax. Macron said that the EU should aim to become a ‘world leader’ in five strategic areas by 2030. These are artificial intelligence, quantum information, space, biotechnology and new energies.[2]
At a time when Europe is trying to maintain momentum on assistance to Ukraine, the debate on what Donald Trump’s possible return to the American presidency could mean for the continent is occupying the European foreign policy agenda. Macron’s concept of “strategic autonomy” for Europe is not a new idea. In 2017, when he was first elected as French President, Macron criticised Europe’s strategic “dependence” on the United States. In his recent speech at the Sorbonne University, the French leader emphasised his past speech, arguing that most European leaders were sceptical of the idea at the time, but that current geopolitical developments have vindicated him. He underlined how the past seven years have transformed the continent and reiterated his call for strategic autonomy.[3]
Macron’s speech has been read not only in the context of international relations but also in the context of his election campaign in France. As an advocate of a united Europe, Macron aims to garner support for his centrist Renaissance Party ahead of the 6-9 June elections, in which right-wing parties are ahead of moderate coalitions in the polls. Macron stated that “authoritarianism” has become more popular across the continent and that “democratic values” should be protected. According to polls, the war in Ukraine and migration are the top priorities for EU voters. Right-wing parties gain support by criticising the Macron government’s policies on both issues Macron stated that there are differences of opinion on migration policies, including asylum and deportation rules for those arriving illegally in Europe. The French leader emphasised the need for an effective response and Europe-wide coordination to curb illegal migration, closer cooperation with countries of origin of migrants and a united fight against people smugglers.
Macron criticised the idea of striking a deal with countries around Africa to transfer migrants there, as the United Kingdom has done. As Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, the social situation in France remains tense, with protests by teachers and police officers and demonstrations by farmers.[4]
As a result, Macron is making moves to maintain his political survival by emphasising his Eurocentric stance. In parallel with his efforts to consolidate the Europeanist Renaissance Party in the French public opinion, which has fallen behind in the general election polls to be held in June, he is trying to steer EU foreign policy by taking into account the possibility of Donald Trump becoming the US President again in the autumn.
Politicians who anticipate that the US will abandon its interventionist foreign policy if Donald Trump wins warn that Europe will be ‘left to its own fate’. Macron, who has adopted an assertive and competitive attitude towards Moscow since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War, calls for a stronger European position. In 2017, Macron reintroduced the concept of Europe’s ‘strategic autonomy’ and called for sending troops to Ukraine. The French leader is also in favour of establishing a dialogue with Russia if necessary in order to establish Europe’s own security.
[1] “‘Avrupa yakında ölebilir’ diyen Macron: Rusya’yla yeniden ilişki kurmaya hazır olmalıyız”, Sputnik, https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20240425/avrupa-yakinda-olebilir-diyen-macron-rusyayla-yeniden-iliski-kurmaya-hazir-olmaliyiz-1083152078.html, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[2] “Macron warns Europe ‘can die’ in alarmist speech on protectionism, geopolitical threats”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/emmanuel-macron-europe-china-competition-protectionism-geopolitics/, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[3] Rauhala, E., “Europe needs to be stronger, not a U.S. ‘vassal,’ says France’s Macron”, The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/25/france-macron-europe-defense-us/, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
[4] Surk, B., et al., “Macron outlines his vision for Europe to become an assertive global power as war in Ukraine rages on”, Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-europe-eu-paris-sorbonne-speech-a3f4de514a88ca324ed1c545fc3821c1, (Date of Access: 26.04.2024).
