French President Emmanuel Macron said that Germany and France should strengthen their ties, saying that Europe “has the obligation not to let the world slip into chaos”. Mr. Macron has just concluded a visit to Berlin on the occasion of the annual day of mourning for the victims of war. When speaking to the German Parliament, he said that Europe must not “become a plaything of great powers”.
French President calls for a more integrated EU with a common Eurozone budget and he also wants to see Germany’s support for a European army. This, in his opinion, should reduce the EU’s dependence on the United States. When it comes to economy, he also calls for a new tax on internet tech giants. While German Chancellor Merkel is supportive of some of Mr. Macron’s ideas, others are seen as controversial in the German capital.
French President spoke of nationalist forces “with no memory” and called for progressive forces to unite in a volatile world. “There are too many powers that wish to thwart us, that interfere in our public debates, attack our liberal democracies and are trying to pit us against each other,” he said. “And in this global order, which we have to take very seriously, our strength – our true strength – lies in unity.”
The French leader admitted that more unity might seem “scary” as funds would be pooled together to help decision making. Yet, he said that it was certainly better than staying at a “standstill”. Both leaders also discussed migration, defense and tax structure for tech companies. After 13 years at Germany’s helm, Ms. Merkel said she would not stand as her party leader in the next term but she intends to finish her fourth term as chancellor.
