After the German parliamentary elections France is to present its European partners with concrete initiatives on ten or so subjects, with a view to developing a common roadmap by the end of 2017 which is intended to lay the groundwork for refounding the European project.
"Brexit should bring us to two key considerations: when Europe is only a market it ends up being rejected – that's why we should rebuild an ambitious and protective Europe. This unprecedented situation should make it especially incumbent on us to be more innovative. We should think of a Europe with several formats, going further with all those who want to move ahead, without being hindered by the states that want (and it is their right to do so) to move ahead less quickly or not as far", France's President Emmanuel Macron said at the annual conference of French ambassadors.
Macron spoke about the ten key elements that will be the subject of specific proposals, including deepening the eurozone, strengthening economic, social and taxation convergence, a Europe of defence, strengthening migration policy, setting up a "real" climate and energy Europe, achieving the digital agenda (especially with the regulation of internet giants and data protection).
Apart from the prospect of Brexit, which creates an opportunity for redefining a project with 27 members, the current context brings particular responsibility. After the generation of the founding fathers and those who managed the European project's period of emancipation, we have the choice of being "the generation that will refound Europe", Macron said at a press conference in Luxembourg later in the day, which was held with the prime ministers of Luxembourg and Belgium, Xavier Better and Charles Michel respectively.
The proposals that the European leaders will put together for refounding Europe will be put to European citizens through "democratic conventions" that will be held in France and other countries that so wish, in line with a pledge made during Macron's French presidential campaign.
The idea of a Europe moving forward in the same direction but at different speeds was raised at the Treaty of Rome 60th anniversary celebrations that took place in Rome at the end of March (see EUROPE 11754).
In Berlin on Tuesday, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel did not rule out the idea, promoted by Macron during his presidential campaign, of a finance and economy ministry to foster economic competitiveness within the eurozone. She also supported setting up a specific fund for structural reforms in a eurozone country. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)