Paris, April 25, 2024 (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron will outline Thursday his vision for a stronger Europe, pushing EU members to be less dependent on the United States but also hoping to boost his party's flagging campaign in EU elections.
Macron is returning to the same themes of a speech he gave in September 2017 months after taking office at the same location -- the Sorbonne University in Paris -- but in a context that seven years on has been turned upside down by Brexit, Covid, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Macron champions the concept of European strategic autonomy in economy and defence, arguing that Europe needs to face crises like Russia's invasion of Ukraine without relying on the United States.
He is also, after Brexit and the departure from power of German chancellor Angela Merkel, often seen by commentators as Europe's number one leader.
But his party is facing embarrassment in June European elections, ranking well behind the far-right in opinion polls and even risking coming third behind the Socialists.
"To continue moving towards a more sovereign and more powerful Europe... the president will deliver his views for the future of Europe," the French presidency said.
The speech comes with the European Union drawing up its new strategic agenda for 2024-2029.
"Europe accelerates in times of crisis so it's a good moment to make suggestions," said a French presidential official asking not to be named.
Macron will also be mindful of the risk of antagonising allies, in particular Germany, which is more lukewarm on European strategic autonomy and was especially rattled by Macron not ruling out sending Western troops to Ukraine.
- 'Reclaim initiative' -
Surveys for the June 9 EU parliament elections in France point to support only in the high teens for Macron's centrist coalition, well below the far-right National Rally (RN) at around 30 percent, while the Socialists are snapping at the presidential camp's heels for second place.
"It would be a real earthquake if the president's majority came third" in the European elections, said political scientist Bruno Cautres.
The head of the governing party's list for the elections, the little-known Valerie Hayer, is failing to make an impact, especially in the face of high-profile figures leading the rival lists in the shape of Jordan Bardella, 28, for the far right and Raphael Glucksmann for the left.
The popularity of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 35, whose appointment in January was seen as a move to counter Bardella, is meanwhile on the wane.
But now it appears Macron is eager to wade into the campaign in person with his speech, which he is due to deliver from 0900 GMT.
The domestic stakes are high: the RN has said it will call for parliament to be dissolved if Macron's ruling Renaissance party and its allies suffer a crushing defeat.
Meanwhile, the EU polls also come with RN figurehead Marine Le Pen sensing her best-ever chance to win the Elysee in the 2027 presidential elections when Macron cannot stand again.
On Thursday, Macron "wants to reclaim the initiative, avoid humiliation and try to keep the number-two spot at any cost," Cautres said, noting that there was little hope his party could overtake the RN.

Sumber : AFP