Our World in 2018

EUROPE’S FUTURE
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) during their meeting at Elysee palace in
Paris, France, 19 January 2018.
EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
from perfect, but the whole world
regards it as a model.
One can be insensitive to
these arguments and not
appreciate Europe for its
values. In that case, its usefulness at
least must be recognised. Indeed in
all matters, only Europe will protect
us. Only it will give us a voice in the
commotion of the world. Only it will
enable us to reach the critical mass
required for our strategic autonomy.
If Europe really is to achieve these
objectives, it must correct its lack of
OUR WORLD | 2018
effectiveness - fast. The EU needs
new transfers of sovereignty; its
competences must be broadened.
And the European Parliament must
be at the heart of a new institutional
architecture that is more democratic
and more comprehensible.
II.N
this, nothing so ambitious, can be
expected of the Macron-Merkel
couple. All positive steps, whether
on the euro or on immigration, for
example, are of course welcome, but
I
will persist.
Unfortunately, the French
President and the Federal Chancellor
are not being pressed by public
opinions.
In Europe, public debate has
been heavily influenced, almost
wing populists, who compete for the
same simplistic ideas and slogans to
disqualify the European project. And
social networks have certainly not
helped to clarify the issues. Things
are bad: people seem to have lost
their desire for Europe. But I hope
I.
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