In Dresden, Macron addresses "our Europe".
In Dresden, President Macron addresses a crowd of thousands of young people, advocating for greater engagement in Europe, freedom, and humanism. His speech, though fundamental, lacks specific details. Nonetheless, some messages may still reach Berlin.
During his visit to Germany, the weather in Dresden couldn't have been more perfect - summery and with a beautiful old town backdrop. The city played host to a youth festival teeming with young people when French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Neumarkt, situated in front of the Frauenkirche in the evening. The audience bestowed extra-warm applause upon their special guest.
The first segment of Macron's speech was delivered in German, which instantly won the hearts of the Saxon crowd. "This city has contributed to making Europe what it should always be: a united Europe," he said, reminding the audience of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
On the eve of the European election on June 9th, Macron's speech served as a love letter to Europe and a celebration of the Franco-German friendship. He touched on major issues such as freedom, humanism, democracy, but also ventured into the current crises. He spoke of a united Europe like one might speak of a patient in need of medical assistance: Ukraine, struggling to survive; an ailing economy needing to bounce back; and an internal market buried under a heap of regulations.
"Europe is fragile"
Although Macron's speech may have sounded visionary, it risked sparking German skepticism. His tone resembled that of former President Barack Obama, which could have been interpreted asFollowing the victory of the Greens, Liberals, and Social Democrats, Germany is in transition, and the political landscape is changing. As a result, Macron does not come across as just another politician; he seems to play the role of a doctor for Europe. "Europe is fragile," he says, echoing a thought shared during his Europe speech at the Sorbonne University earlier in the year. "Europe is the guarantor of peace," he states in German. But peace in Europe has been disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as Russia's threat to the whole of Europe's security.
The need for a new security concept is apparent. Europe cannot simply think or act as individual nations; they must work collectively to address the situation. "Yes, that's a Copernican revolution," remarks Macron, referring to the new framework for defense. However, his approach appears to contrast with that of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. While both countries share a desire for a stronger Europe, Macron's vision leans more towards an independent Europe, possibly outside of NATO. Scholz, on the other hand, believes in a stronger Europe but within the alliance with the United States.
This difference of opinion can be witnessed in how both countries approach arming Ukraine. While Germany has sent more weapons to Ukraine, France has delivered significantly fewer. In addition, both countries have been acting independently, without coordinating their approaches. For instance, when Macron did not rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine and then Scholz denied it.
In Dresden, Macron also addressed economic prosperity as his second key theme. His words bring to mind Robert Habeck and Christian Lindner, but he embodied them both. Macron suggests that Europe has the largest welfare state, which is a strength. However, without a robust economy, it all becomes financially unsustainable. "Europe is a dream of growth, a dream of prosperity," he says, channeling both Habeck and Lindner. As Finance Minister and leader of the FDP, both would surely appreciate Macron's sentiment.
However, Macron's demand for further investment significantly aligns with Habeck's previous sentiments. He insisted that Europe should double its budget exclusively for investments, emphasizing the importance of finance to sustain Europe's social model. Unfortunately, there's no more money left for both economic growth and climate protection together. The "both at the same time" motto, once used by the traffic light coalition, is no longer a reality.
A Speech filled with Passion
The city of Dresden's radiant beauty served as the backdrop for Macron's passionate declaration of love to Europe and the Franco-German friendship. Despite being less specific in his speech, he managed to leave an impact on his audience. He was not merely discussing crises or calling for investment but amplifying these ideas with zeal: "Make Europe great again," he proclaimed. The crowd echoed the sentiment, showing their unified support for a better tomorrow.
Following Macron's rallying call, it's clear he is determined to elevate the European Union to greater heights. He aims to resolve the current crises, achieve economic growth, and create a thriving society. He spoke not just as a politician but as a fervent activist. If anything, his words inspired a newfound hope that Europe may one day regain its spirit and stand together to conquer its challenges. This hope resonated with the crowd, who took comfort in his thoughts. Macron's speech on this fateful day in Dresden will undoubtedly eclipse in their memory forever.
During his speech at Sorbonne, Macron took a dig at the debt brake, claiming that Europe is saving excessively and didn't mention any specific countries. At the event in Dresden, he skips these subtle jabs. The primary focus of this event is the future of Europe, a Europe built on humanism and democracy - a Europe that the younger generation should stand up for. "The French and the Germans share similar concerns, but one constant remains - our strong Franco-German friendship. Together, solely together, can we rise to meet these challenges." "Germany can trust in France, France depends on Germany. Europe can lean on us, and we trust in Europe too!"
It's a beautiful, invigorating message that renews our hope. However, it doesn't bridge the everyday issues we face.
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- Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, expressed his support for a stronger Europe during the European elections, which contrasted with Macron's vision of an independent Europe.
- Emmanuel Macron, while in Dresden, spoke about the fragility of Europe and its role as a guarantor of peace, emphasizing the challenges posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Following the European elections, both France and Germany have taken separate approaches to aid Ukraine, with France delivering fewer weapons compared to Germany.
- In his speech in Dresden, Macron highlighted Europe's economic prosperity and the importance of investment, echoing Robert Habeck and Christian Lindner's sentiments.
Source: www.ntv.de
