Comment on Macron: Completely innocent, but in the same direction

In his second Europe speech at the Sorbonne, French President Macron had harsh words for the current situation. Chancellor Scholz would never talk like that, would he? The two are not that far apart.

This speech was a typical Macron: combative, full of pathos. In this respect, once again the counterpart to Scholz. But that might not matter at all. Because in this matter the two are not as far apart as it seems.

Let’s take the most explosive statement of Macron’s almost two-hour speech: “L’Europe peut mourir.” Europe can die, the French president has said, adding: “Europe can die because of us.” A blatant sentence. Completely innocent. But if you look closely, the Chancellor is saying the same thing, just differently: In his big Europe speech in the Strasbourg EU Parliament last May, Scholz declared: “Europe’s future is in our hands.” Different words, same idea.

Macron at the same distance from China and the USA

Second example: The French president wants “strategic autonomy” and criticizes the USA as well as China. Both great powers didn’t give a damn about rules and subsidized their domestic economies in an uninhibited and ruthless manner, he complained in his current Sorbonne speech. Such harsh, open criticism of the USA would never come from Scholz’s lips.

The Chancellor still sees the USA as his most important ally. And Scholz would never maintain Macron’s flaunted equidistance from both his transatlantic partner and his Chinese rival. But Scholz also sees that the European Union needs to reposition itself strategically and wants a “geopolitical EU” in a multipolar world.

The common direction seems to be right

Third example: Macron calls for “European preference” – in all matters. Whether investing in start-ups, purchasing military equipment, applying rules or developing new technologies. “European preference” is not what Scholz would say. Sounds too much like “America first”.

But in his Europe speech last year, Scholz said that Europeans need to invest more: in security and defense, in technological sovereignty, in the procurement of rare raw materials. Not to be able to stand up to the USA, as Macron belligerently proclaims. But, as Scholz puts it, to be “better allies for our transatlantic friends.”

So one thing is clear: Once again, the Germans and French approach the matter differently, sound different, but, as I said, that doesn’t matter. Because the direction seems to be right. And if both work in their own way, the EU will ultimately make progress.