joy in brussels but macron faces tough eu challenges
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

for profound change in the European Union

Joy in Brussels, but Macron faces tough EU challenges

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Joy in Brussels, but Macron faces tough EU challenges

Macron faces a battle to bring change to the European Union
Brussels - Arab Today

France's choice of pro-EU Emmanuel Macron over eurosceptic 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 told AFP that 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.

 

- 'Politically difficult' -

 

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.

Until now, ideas involving more Europe have been largely ignored as too idealistic when nationalism and euroscepticism were on the rise across the EU."His reform programme aligns perfectly with the European framework (in Brussels)," said analyst Amandine Crespy at ULB university in Brussels.

"Pushing through these reforms at EU level could prove politically difficult as other EU partners may want to focus on alternative priorities such as migration and security," said Robin Huguenot-Noel, policy analyst at the European Policy Centre.

 

- 'Brave the protests' -

 

The first and crucial step will be to get Germany, the bloc's most powerful member, onside.

To do that, Macron is banking on delivering to Germany what it has always wanted from France: meaningful pro-market reforms.

"That's why the win is reassuring and many in the EU hope that France will move on with fiscal reforms like other countries have done," Crespy said.

But Macron's willingness to placate Germany has led critics at home to portray him as the puppet of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Le Pen hit out before the polls that France would be governed by a woman after the vote -- either herself or Merkel.

Macron will get his first taste of the challenges ahead on Thursday when the European Commission delivers it economic forecasts for EU members.

The expectation is that France will once again be in the firing line for public overspending and in danger of facing penalties for not delivering on reforms.

Macron has pledged to do so in his first weeks in office but the proposed changes will likely face fury in France.

"Macron will need to brave some protests. But unlike (President Francois) Hollande before him, he now has the mandate to do so," said Schmieding.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

joy in brussels but macron faces tough eu challenges joy in brussels but macron faces tough eu challenges

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

joy in brussels but macron faces tough eu challenges joy in brussels but macron faces tough eu challenges

 



GMT 21:16 2016 Monday ,27 June

Zaki Badr discusses cleaning problem in Giza

GMT 21:46 2017 Saturday ,14 January

Turkey arrests 60 businessmen for alleged Gulen ties

GMT 22:38 2017 Friday ,24 March

Abbas meets with Merkel in Berlin

GMT 09:02 2017 Monday ,27 March

Tunisian Premier Concludes Visit to Sudan

GMT 15:54 2017 Friday ,01 September

Attorney General Directs Prosecutors to inspect Prison

GMT 09:22 2017 Sunday ,31 December

HM King condoles with Afghanistan President

GMT 10:12 2016 Wednesday ,06 April

Strong dollar, mild weather shrink H&M profits

GMT 17:03 2016 Saturday ,24 December

7 police killed in attacks in Afghansitan

GMT 13:51 2017 Friday ,17 March

Israel denies Syria shot down a warplane

GMT 04:08 2017 Thursday ,05 January

Carbon tax can fund clean energy transition

GMT 19:27 2016 Wednesday ,14 September

Alstom to go ahead with plans to shut down Belfort plant

GMT 01:44 2017 Friday ,15 December

Mennat-Allah underlines importance of landscapes

GMT 04:57 2017 Thursday ,14 December

Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon

GMT 21:43 2017 Wednesday ,11 October

Qabil discusses with Swiss delegation improving power

GMT 21:06 2017 Sunday ,17 September

OIC condemns suicide attack in Kabul

GMT 08:27 2017 Thursday ,27 April

Nokia reports another loss as networks sag

GMT 19:41 2017 Monday ,06 February

Elina Svitolina Claims Taiwan Open Title

GMT 09:39 2017 Friday ,03 February

Former Brazilian president Lula's wife dies of stroke
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday