Challenging times for a French president
Print Edition
FRANCE’S choice of pro-EU Emmanuel Macron over euroskeptic Marine Le Pen has sparked euphoria in Brussels, but analysts warn his ambitions for profound change in the European Union will prove challenging.
Praise for Macron poured in from the EU capital, with Europe’s top officials hailing his win as a much needed check to a populist wave that delivered Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the United States.
“Happy that the French chose a European future,” said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as EU observers noted triumphantly on Twitter that Macron had the EU anthem “Ode to Joy” play as he took the stage for his victory rally.
Despite widespread doubts, analysts agreed that the sheer scale of his victory — Macron beat Le Pen with 66 percent of the vote — gave one of the EU’s most powerful member states a small window to change the bloc.
This sweeping win is “a splendid opportunity to reform France and forge a deal with Germany and other European countries to strengthen the cohesion of the EU and the eurozone,” said analyst Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank in Germany.
However, the results “also carry a stark warning (as) ... voters rebuked the traditional mainstream parties. Almost half of voters had fallen for anti-EU candidates in the first round,” Schmieding added.
European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Macron, and those celebrating his victory, should not ignore the lessons of Le Pen. “We must begin to work to change Europe because we must not underestimate the voters who voted for Le Pen and those who stayed at home,” Tajani said.
Macron, a former banker and economy minister, wants to strengthen the EU and the eurozone in deeper ways than any major leader in Europe has dared in a generation.
His changes could involve giving the EU more powers and they are extremely popular with EU officials in Brussels.
Macron’s promises include a plan to set up a separate budget for the 19 countries that use the common currency. He also proposes giving the eurozone its own parliament and finance minister.
Macron will get a first taste of challenges ahead on Thursday when the European Commission delivers it economic forecasts for EU members. The expectation is France will be in the firing line for public overspending and in danger of facing penalties for not delivering on reforms.
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