In making fundamental rights and cohesion the mainstays of her speech to the plenary session of the German Presidency of the EU Council, the German Chancellor had a profound effect on MEPs on Wednesday 8 July.
In her speech, Chancellor Merkel highlighted five priorities for her country's six-month Presidency: fundamental rights, cohesion, climate protection, digital and Europe's responsibility on the world stage.
Noting that certain fundamental rights had been limited during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Merkel declared that they are the "jewels in the crown" and could only be limited for a limited period of time and in cases of force majeure. "Fundamental rights, protection of civil liberties, equality (...) are rights that apply to all. Not more for some than for others. They must be guaranteed", she insisted, warning that they will be "the cornerstone [she] wants to protect during the Presidency".
This commitment was appreciated by MEPs, who nevertheless - like the chairman of the Renew Europe group, Dacian Cioloș (Romania) - called for action to be taken in particular on the conditionality of European funds. "We are not building Europe on a purely accounting approach, but around a solid project, vision and values", he argued, adding that "the political opportunity was clearly there."
"We must have the courage to be free, the EU is not a cash machine and the rule of law must be respected", said Manfred Weber (EPP, Germany).
The Chancellor also emphasised cohesion, which will be a 'leitmotif' of the German EU Council Presidency. "We can only emerge from the crisis if, despite our differences, we are prepared to find a common solution, to see the world from each other's perspective, to demonstrate cohesion. No one will emerge from the crisis alone", she warned. And she added: "Unity and fraternity must be our guides at all times. Europe is capable of the greatest and most beautiful acts when we are united".
The Chancellor, together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and MEPs, wants to see this solidarity applied to the Recovery Plan and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). "It is important that the regions affected by the crisis benefit from our solidarity, it is in all our interests. It also means that not all the necessary efforts should simply be made by the economically strongest countries", she warned. Consequently according to her, it is not possible to incur "unlimited [debt], if the European model is to be preserved", and reforms will therefore be necessary in return for this solidarity.
Ms von der Leyen spoke along the same lines: "Solidarity means more help for those who need it, but this does not justify lack of action: investment is based on reform." She also called for "the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) not to be neglected", as it will remain once the crisis is over.
"The EU must now have the courage to show solidarity: we have to find a solution this month on the matter of the Recovery Plan", said Mr Weber, who pledged his confidence in the leader "who is bringing us together".
For Spanish MEP Iratxe García Pérez (S&D), it is not about money, but about a political project. "We need to demonstrate that it is possible to create a more just and sustainable society, which thinks about the environment and future generations, protects workers, values diversity and manages migratory flows with solidarity", she added.
Climate and digital transition
Ms Merkel's desire to make progress on the ecological and digital transition was also supported by MEPs. "Europe will only remain Europe if it is innovative in the face of the climate challenge, accepts the digital challenge, if it faces up to the changes in the world", explained the Chancellor.
On climate change, "Europe must act now if the planet is to remain habitable", and play a global leadership role, Merkel stressed. For her compatriot Ska Keller (Greens/EFA), the German Presidency must help fight climate change. She therefore called for ambitious climate legislation, with a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Similarly, "it is essential that Europe regains its digital sovereignty", explained the Chancellor, also highlighting the need to protect democracy against cybercrime and disinformation.
Speaking on behalf of the ECR group, Rafaele Fitto (Italy) said that there was a need to "revitalise the economy, implement favourable trade policies and relaunch the single market". And on behalf of the GUE/NGL group, German MEP Martin Schirdewan called on Germany not to block the adoption of Europe-wide taxation of digital companies and to combat tax fraud.
Strengthening Europe's role in the world
Finally, Ms Merkel emphasised agreement on future relations with the UK, which will remain "a strong partner", and on the EU's role in the world.
The German Presidency intends to focus both on progress on the European path of the Western Balkans, particularly the accession of North Macedonia and Albania, and on relations with Africa, "for deeper, forward-looking relations and closer cooperation on migration".
Finally, the Chancellor also called for continued dialogue with China, supported by MEPs who called for a rebalancing of the relationship. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)