Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The presence of resistance leaders at the negotiations and the signing of the agreement, after "Israel" attempted to assassinate them in Qatar, is a humiliation for the occupation.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The agreement will be signed in the presence of Resistance leaders, led by Hamas, with senior official Khalil al-Hayya set to sign the agreement.
Trump to Fox News: I believe Iran is going to be involved in the peace situation.
Trump: Gaza will be rebuilt.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue their violations, and warplanes are entering Gazan airspace at this moment.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The fate of thousands of civilians and journalists remains unknown.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue bombing various areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We renew our pledge to our brave prisoners and their families that they will remain at the heart of our priorities, and we will not rest until the last prisoner enjoys freedom.
Hamas: We are awaiting the final approval of the names ahead of announcing them through the Prisoners’ Media Office.
Hamas: We affirm that we have submitted the lists of Palestinian prisoners according to the agreed-upon criteria within the framework of the agreement.

Macron says Europe facing existential threat, is 'mortal', 'can die'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Apr 2024 19:39
4 Min Read

The French President encourages Europe to take more control of its own future, claiming that it had previously relied too heavily on Moscow for energy and Washington for security.

  • x
  • Macron says Europe  'mortal' and 'can die'
    French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to deliver a speech on Europe in the amphitheater of the Sorbonne University, on  April 25 in Paris. 2024. (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned on Thursday that Europe is facing an existential threat and urged the EU to develop a "credible" security plan that was less reliant on the United States.

According to Macron, Russia's actions have been "uninhibited" as it was no longer obvious where the country''s "limits" were.

He also cautioned about what he saw as the US and China's disregard for global trade standards, urging the European Union to change its trade policies. 

"It cannot work if we are the only ones in the world to respect the rules of trade - as they were written up 15 years ago - if the Chinese and the Americans no longer respect them by subsidizing critical sectors," he said.

"Our Europe, today, is mortal and it can die," he told the crowd. "It can die, and this depends only on our choices. He emphasized that the continent was not equipped to face the risks in a world where the "rules of the game have changed".

"Over the next decade... the risk is immense of (Europe) being weakened or even relegated," Macron warned, further mentioning the possibility of Iran allegedly gaining a nuclear weapon.

He claimed Europe was being "encircled" by other regional powers, while the continent was "too slow and not ambitious enough."

Macron called for a "powerful Europe" that "is respected," "ensures its security," and reclaims "its strategic autonomy."

Related News

Poll: 91% of French want rioters banned from future protests

Macron and Starmer to lead Paris talks on 'Coalition of the Willing'

He encouraged Europe to take more control of its future, claiming that it had previously relied too heavily on Moscow for energy and Washington for security. He stated that the "sine qua non" for European security was "that Russia does not win the war of aggression in Ukraine." He stated that he would seek bids from European allies in the coming months and that Europe also required its own cyberdefense and cybersecurity capabilities.

The French President stated that European companies should be given precedence when purchasing military equipment and supported the concept of a European loan to fund this endeavor.

Referring to the European elections on June 9, he declared that the response was not "timidity, but boldness." He railed against far-right nationalists in Europe who, he claimed, wished to stay in the "European house" but "without paying the rent" or following the "cohabitation rules".

Macron wants von der Leyen replaced: Bloomberg

French President Emmanuel Macron looks to replace European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and is discussing options with other EU leaders, reported Bloomberg on Wednesday, citing sources. 

Von der Leyen is preparing for elections in under two months, aiming to clinch another five-year tenure. Macron, a pivotal figure in her rise to the helm of the EU, has been publicly censuring the President's methods in steering the EU Commission.

“The commission presidency is there to defend the general interest, so it must not be over-politicized. Which, it has to be said, was not at all the case with this outgoing commission,” Macron said in Brussels last month.

According to Bloomberg, the French President reached out to other EU leaders regarding potential candidates to succeed the current commission leader. Among them is former Italian Prime Minister and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, as reported by sources familiar with these deliberations.

Sources in Brussels, including individuals within von der Leyen's office, have remarked that it's still ambiguous whether Macron genuinely aimed to remove her from her position or was only exerting pressure to extract concessions from her in the future.

Von der Leyen remains a strong contender in the forthcoming elections, benefiting from her status as the primary candidate of the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), which holds the largest number of seats in the European Parliament. The EPP is poised to solidify its standing in the upcoming June elections. Nonetheless, any EPP candidate must secure support from an absolute majority in parliament.

  • Emmanuel Macron
  • France
  • Paris
  • European Union
  • Europe
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS