22 June 2019

EURACTIV: Treaty against democracy: Franco-German arm wrestling reflects different political visions

On the other hand, since coming to power, Emmanuel Macron has given clear priority to decision-making rather than debate, and has taken full advantage of Parliament’s reduced powers in France. For him, taking into account the will of the European Parliament was not a priori on the agenda.[...]

On the German side, the emphasis on candidate Manfred Weber is based precisely on the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament, and of the candidate representing the strongest group. Who happens to be German.

It is only after hearing the voices of two European Parliament heavyweights that Germany considered reevaluating its unfallible support for Manfred Weber. The situation has changed when the social-democrats and the liberals have indicated they were not supporting the EPP candidate.[...]

The French president had tried to turn things around in February 2018, by trying to set up a small proportion of transnational lists in the European elections. This was rejected as there was no majority in favour in the European Council.

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