“Our Europe May Die”
French President Emmanuel Macron has used tough words to call for strengthening Europe's security. In a keynote speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Thursday, he warned that “we must be aware that our Europe may die.” Europe is at a turning point and must do more to rapidly arm and compete with global rivals.
The biggest threat to Europe's security is the war in Ukraine: “The basic precondition for our security is that Russia does not win this war of aggression,” Macron said. He proposed the creation of a European military academy. In addition, Europe should strengthen the area of cyber security and promote the internal security sector: “If we do not take responsibility for creating our own European security sector, how can we build our sovereignty, our autonomy?”
On the security level, it is also important to strengthen ties with Great Britain, which has left the EU. Macron described Brexit as one of the “unprecedented crises” Europe has faced in recent years. He spoke of an “explosion” whose negative consequences no one campaigned for an exit – not from the EU or the euro.
Called for more independence from America
Macron said Europe must open a dialogue with third countries and show it is not a “slave” to the United States. Economically, the old continent is in danger of falling behind in the international context and needs to rethink its development model. Aides to the president described the speech as France's contribution to the EU's strategic agenda for the next five years. The agenda will be decided after the European elections in June.
With his appearance, Macron follows a major speech in 2017 in the same place: at that time, he outlined a vision of “European sovereignty” and “strategic autonomy” – which have now become household words in Brussels. At the time, Macron proposed a common budget specifically for euro countries. The EU defense budget should be in place for the next decade.
Considerations for Ground Forces in Ukraine
Macron has recently attracted attention by saying that he cannot rule out the deployment of Western ground forces in Ukraine. Such considerations were rejected by German Chancellor Olaf Scholes. Chancellor Karl Neuhammer (ÖVP) also said Macron's initiative was “not a common position” for the EU.
Macron lost his parliamentary majority in 2022. His personal popularity ratings in France have also plummeted. His centrist Renaissance Party is trailing the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN) in polls ahead of European elections in June.
