“Europe is mortal, it may die”

President of France, Emmanuel Macronhas drawn a scene of great uncertainty And Challenges for Europe In one of the most symbolic settings in France: the amphitheater Sorbonne University. Surrounded by statues of iconic figures such as Richelieu, Descartes and Pascal, and for two hours, he outlined how he sees the future of the EU in the coming decades and the challenges it faces at a critical moment in “European humanism. ” defended. paradigm shift in the worldin which “Europe, mortal, may die”,

In 2017, newly elected President, he had already given a speech at the Sorbonne in which he defended his idea of ​​a sovereign Europe, not dependent on powers such as China or the United States. This time it has chosen the same setting to reinforce these same values, but in a much more turbulent global context: fresh from a pandemic, with the advance of the extreme right in Europe and two open wars, from Ukraine and of Israel, which could spread throughout the region. with threat from russia In Europe which is strengthening itself again after decades of peace. There is a risk that Donald Trump will win again in the United States and we are on the verge of European elections, where, according to polls, Marine Le Pen’s far right will win by a long shot.

This is the scenario. The French President has warned of the need to achieve a “more sovereign and more united” Europe to be able to face the challenges of a world that is no longer the same as it was a few years ago. He used the words of the poet Paul Valéry, who said after World War II that civilizations are mortal, to emphasize that Europe “is mortal, it may die.” Despite all the achievements, “we must have the clarity to recognize that we haven’t won the battle“Macron said: “We are not on par because the rules of the game have changed”,

He has warned of a profound global paradigm shift whether at the industrial, military or cultural level, which he has talked about There is a need to rethink the economic development model, and especially in defending, because it “must be reliable” and have the ability to stop. “We are not armed against the risks we face,” the French president recalled. The war in Ukraine forced the Allies to retreat, as Europe realized that it did not have a solid and strong enough industry to deal with a large-scale conflict.

“When we have an aggressive neighbor, which has a ballistic capability in which it has been investing for many years and which has nuclear weapons, we have to fight to achieve the strategic concept of credible European defence,” Macron said. ” He said that nuclear deterrence “is an essential element” for Europe in the current context.

For Macron, industrial policy is an important tool for the EU to expand its arms production “rapidly and in Europe”. He has defended European preference when purchasing military material. He said, “A powerful Europe is a Europe that respects itself, strengthens its security, protects its borders and prepares.”

His speech lasted two hours, full of quotations (Valéry, Descartes…), references to the most diverse topics (security, environment, technology, culture…). There have been times when the French President has not read his speech or seen any paper: he is very clear about how he sees Europe, Challenges and how to face them. Government ministers and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal supported him in his speech, which ended with thunderous applause, although the amphitheater was not full, with many seats empty and a large part of the upper stand also empty.

Emmanuel Macron talked about the need for strategic sovereignty In key sectors such as health, energy, semiconductors, agri-food products, technology or defence. “The rules have changed and the solution lies in our ability to take decisions to face this change. Prosperity and humanism will allow Europe to become a continent that does not disappear.”

For example, at the economic level he believes that we must readjust trade policy before powers like America and China, that “they have decided that They won’t respect the rules anymore Of business,” he said. To this he has added another threat: cultural conflict, values. They believe that these powers also have immense influence. “We have always thought that our model was irresistible. Our values ​​and culture are under threat in Europe (…). Our dreams and narratives are less European and more American, Asian. (…) Europe is “less powerful” when it comes to creating great narratives.

Emmanuel Macron gave his speech at the door of European elections, in which, according to polls, his group will not fare well, The National Regroupment’s candidate, Jordan Bardella, is leading in the polls, but the Socialist Party’s candidate, Rafael Glucksman, could overtake the Macronist representative. In fact, this speech has been seen as starting the campaign again.

The French President ended his speech by warning that Europe could “die alone” and talked about what he sees as part of the solution to overcoming the challenges. that’s what they called european humanism: “Being European does not just mean living in one place, but defending the idea of ​​man that makes the individual free, rational and enlightened. From Paris to Warsaw and Lisbon to Odessa, ours is a union with freedom and justice. It’s a unique relationship.”