| Author (Person) | Negrier-Pascaud, Mathilde |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | May 2018 |
| Publication Date | 10/05/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Further information: French President Emmanuel Macron received the Charlemagne Prize on May 10 for his contribution to European cohesion and integration. This prize is named after the founder of the Holy Roman Empire, who launched a series of wars and political reforms to build a continental European empire. It has been handed out every year since 1950. In his acceptance speech, Macron praised the European project for maintaining a "miraculous" 70 years of peace on the continent and outlined the his vision for the future. The French president called for more unity among member states and warned that the divisions that appeared during the eurozone and migrant crisis risked undermining the EU project. Macron also called for a stronger Europe on the diplomatic front. "Europe has to take its fate into its own hands," the French president said. "Because one country breaks its promise doesn't mean we have to change our course," he added, implicitly referring to the US' decision to quit the Iran nuclear deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech in Macron's honor during the prize giving ceremony, praising Macron's "contagious enthusiasm" for the European project. The German chancellor also commended Macron for defending the values of freedom and cohesion at a time when "authoritarian ideologies are luring people back to the past." Merkel stressed the need for a strong pan-European foreign policy, because the bloc could no longer rely on the US to "protect it." Other prominent guests included the heads of government from Spain, Luxembourg and Bulgaria. Also in attendance were last year's prize winner, British historian Timothy Garten Ash, and former German Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz, who won the award in 2015. Macron has made a series of prospective EU reforms one of the focal points of his presidency. Notable goals include the creation of a common eurozone budget and European finance minister post, a joint military "rapid reaction force," and a new EU tax regime targeting internet technology giants. Political analysts pointed out that Macron's award comes despite his proposed EU reforms having so far gained little traction and being faced with resistance from members of Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic party. This is happening at a time when Macron is facing a difficult situation at home with his popularity rating has dropping below 50% for the first time. Macron's efforts to reform labour laws have put him into direct conflict with France's powerful unions. A series of strikes spreading over three months has been sparked by his government's move to overhaul the state rail network. |
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| Countries / Regions | France |
