France and Germany Call for EU Reset to Combat Radical Right Threat
- France and Germany, as EU powerhouses, push for economic priorities in the new EU term.
- Macron urges an EU reset to address the rise of radical right ideologies.
- The call for ambition in shaping Europe's future receives attention as a key agenda.
In the upcoming European elections, there is a noticeable shift towards right-wing parties. Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National in France is leading in polls and expected to win decisively. However, these parties may struggle to work together after the election due to differences. They receive financial support, but are divided on issues like the war in Ukraine. The rise of nationalist and Eurosceptic parties in Europe is a significant trend. French President Macron recently visited Germany to discuss the importance of a united Europe to combat extremism. He proposed joint borrowing to invest in Europe's future, along with other growth-friendly measures. This is crucial as economic stagnation has made democracies vulnerable to Eurosceptic movements. Macron and German Chancellor Scholz published a joint declaration outlining plans to boost competitiveness and growth in the EU. They aim to address issues like pollution and biodiversity while supporting economic growth. They also discussed increasing the EU budget and creating new revenue sources for the bloc. The leaders emphasized the need for a decarbonized energy system and climate targets for 2040. They highlighted the importance of Franco-German cooperation in addressing these challenges. Their collaboration is seen as essential for the EU's future success.