French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to outline his vision for Europe to become a more assertive global power against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and other economic and security challenges in a speech on Thursday, ahead of the crucial meeting. of the European Parliament…
PARIS– French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to outline his vision for Europe to become a more assertive global power amid war in Ukraine and other economic and security challenges, in a speech on Thursday ahead of crucial presidential elections. European Parliament in June.
The French president plans to focus on strategic and geopolitical issues in Europe, including defense, the economy, environmental protection and safeguarding democracy, his advisers said. Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its third year, is expected to be the main topic of Macron’s speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris on Thursday.
France has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and Macron has often clashed with other Western leaders because he has insisted that Europe must support the country at any cost. Last month, the French president warned European leaders that sending Western troops to Ukraine to bolster its defenses should not be ruled out.
Macron, a staunch European, is also expected to rally support for his centrist Renaissance party ahead of European Parliament elections on June 6-9. The French president lost his majority in France’s most influential chamber of parliament, the National Assembly, after the 2022 elections to the far-left coalition and the far-right National Rally party.
The social situation in France remains tense as Paris prepares to host this summer’s Olympic Games, amid protests by teachers, police and farmers in recent weeks. The protests follow huge demonstrations last year against Macron’s ultimately successful proposal to raise the retirement age.